AnthonyGiarrusso
Member
Some people might believe that the religious are supreme to the non-religious while the non-religious might seem themselves as supreme to the religious. 
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Does having a religion make you a better person?
- Thread starter AnthonyGiarrusso
- Start date
PoetPhilosopher
Veteran Member
Some people might believe that the religious are supreme to the non-religious while the non-religious might seem themselves as supreme to the religious.
I'd say that having a religion doesn't necessarily make one a better person on a grand scale, nor does not having one.
However, I feel there are specific cases in which some people, not all, may do better with or without a religion.
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Whateverist
Active Member
You’re probably right but I really believe, in the USA at least, being a Christian probably means you have a triumphalist, exclusivist and simple minded grasp of the sacred. There are definitely exceptions but too few regard it as a wisdom tradition, instead believing the ‘wisdom’ is available to any and all willing to read scripture in a literal manner. So all subtlety is lost and belief comes to mean consent to propositions. Subtler interpretations raise suspicion that a snake is at work causing followers pull the blinders on even tighter. It doesn’t have to be this way. The religion per se isn’t the problem, but the way it is understood and practiced is.
AnthonyGiarrusso
Member
When you are rich or just want privacy, exclusivity is the luxury of true enjoyment and happiness. We wouldn't want everyone there or it would defeat the purpose.
I've known a couple Christians(I'm in the US, Midwest) who think deeply on their religion. I've known a few that fit into the category you speak of. I've known a lot that identify as such but believe almost none of it, instead using it as a cultural way of saying they're 'normal'. If they go to church at all, its to socialize or participate in Christmas/Easter.
I do think how its approached varies from place to place, too.
Whateverist
Active Member
Yes. Beyond the gung-ho and the wise there probably many more for which church going is just the cultural norm and less trouble than defending one’s real feelings.
I think you are missing at least another option and possibly more - that one being - It depends - and as to whether you become closer to all others or if it teaches one to discriminate based upon some particular (unevidenced) dogma. Another option might be - Other - in that religions might make one better in some ways and not in others. If I was to sample a group of a hundred people each from many countries all around the world, all of which were devout believers in their particular religion, do you think they would all come out the same as to beliefs and behaviours?
So no option to vote for.
So no option to vote for.
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No, I guess it's irrelevant.
Welcome to the forums.
Welcome to the forums.
I think that the polytheists are better for their beliefs, although I think of their beliefs as more of a spiritual approach to nature where its elements are represented by named symbols.
But I think most everybody who buys into Abrahamic monotheism is harmed by it to some degree. I was.
For starters, those religions leach the spiritual and sacred from nature and invest it in an angry, harshly judgmental unseen ghost living outside of nature and allegedly issuing threats and commands. Also, they praise faith as a virtue, teach that society is something to eschew, demean nature, demean man as weak and sick, demean reason, demean the accumulated wisdom of man, and promote values I consider immoral or foolish.
So, now we have all of these people that think like that, denying climate change, denying vaccine efficacy, denying election integrity, voting for thugs who seem to support their religion in government, defenseless against propagandists, and opposing humanistic efforts at creating a more just, equitable, and tolerant society with a raft of bigotries.
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Does having a religion make you a better person?
No.
End of story
No.
End of story
Yes, but one might wish to first look at the religion in question and carefully evaluate what walking the talk entails.
Interpreting scripture can indeed be tricky and often people find that the scripture and the Divine wants what they want. So I add two things. The first is what the core of the religion is all about. For Christians what would to me the greatest commandments. For Buddhists living a life of pure compassion. For Muslims submission to Allah and the 99 "names" of God. For Jews I like this from Rabbi Hillel, Babylonian Talmud: "What is hateful to you do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary. Go, learn (it)!"
The second is sincerity of purpose. That inevitably involves a certain amount of humility and that leads to approaching a religion seeking understanding and not looking for one's bias to be confirmed.
Secret Chief
nirvana is samsara
Me? I'd have to have that Sliding Doors film scenario. One of me bumps into Buddhism and the other one doesn't. As it is, I couldn't really say if I'm a better, a worserer or just the same sort of person. Perhaps meditation stopped me from becoming a mass murderer. We'll never know. Well, @JustGeorge does cos she knows what I keep in the chest freezer.
Yup.
He talks a big game, but its full of cake.
That's why I come around, after all.
Secret Chief
nirvana is samsara
The religion or lack thereof presumably has an effect on actions and behaviour?
Secret Chief
nirvana is samsara
Well there's goes my mystique. I still love your rusty fenders though.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Religion can make a person better , but having high expectations can make way for serious issues as a consequence.Some people might believe that the religious are supreme to the non-religious while the non-religious might seem themselves as supreme to the religious.
Altfish
Veteran Member
Possibly, but not necessary. Atheism says nothing about behaviour.