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Is religion evil?

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kujo:

--- Quote from: texasboy on January 06, 2007, 07:08:34 am ---
--- Quote from: kujo on January 05, 2007, 10:40:35 pm ---In short we are not perfect, so we can never expect a perfect society, the main thing is that we try to be the best we can be..... and rather ironically this is something religions aim to teach

--- End quote ---
Agreed on most points with exception to the last. We have many hundreds of religious denominations and off shoots from main bodies. It would be nice if everyone followed the course of peace and love but unfortunately most of religious sects are governed by "Old farts" who enjoy the power of being in charge and dishing out punishments as they see fit.
Fear has always been a part of religion.The punishments inflicted by the leaders of the churches have been very harsh to keep "their flock" together. Religion suits the church ,not the masses.
Churches have had to modify their actions in this modern  era due to law and human rights, but we still have some religions asking their followers to blow themselves up and kill innocent people.
My point being that religion is not a good teacher and never has been. The Night Watchman made a good point that if it wasn't for religion we would be like animals.We are animals, and need some guidance.
cheers

--- End quote ---

You may have missed what I said then... religion aims to teach but isnt the teacher itself and just like anything else that is taught it too can be corrupted. If you have a bad teacher teaching a difficult subject it will always be more difficult to pass the exam. Religion in its pure form is not meant to be taught by people (old farts or otherwise), its in theory something you should learn for youself. It is very easy to demonise it by saying that it causes war and listing a selection of people who exploit it as those to represnt it but my point was you can do that with anything and in doing so you are also ignoring all the good it causes. We only hear about the bad stuff and rarley the good so its easy to try and use the bad to represent any idea we are against, the person that does this is hardly different from the religious fanatic that chooses which bits of his 'religion' to follow and which to ignore.

You are spot on, there has been many a time religion has been enforced through fear but the theme is it shouldn't need to be enforced at all... that is the point of free will... but it hasn't JUST taught people fear... its taught many other things we would call valuable in our society too but these are never mentioned...
One can argue that now atheism has become a religion in itself, ironicly with fanatics of its own similar to those who refuse to accept the faiths of others

With your example I would say the problem is with the 'old farts' attempting to be teachers not nessisarily with religion itself....

texasboy:
Point taken Kujo.
Many religions help this world along, you don't have to believe in their doctrine but cannot help notice  how sincere the followers are at helping those in need. Most religions if their good book is interpreted correctly  preach love and peace to others, unfortunately there are always some leaders who will do it their way and change the whole scenario.
cheers

cissie:
Most of the time it is not always the teachings in the religion.. but the people who interpret it incorrectly... many people go to "church" to make them a better person in the eyes of society... for the ones.. who do it for the true reason.. then it is a personal matter.. and one which they only have to answer to one higher being.. (if this is what they believe)..

Individual interpretations in religion is the fundamental curse of many....... too many times these people try to prove to others that their beliefs are the true beliefs... it is a personal subject.. and this is why so many disasters and wars have eventuated from it.  Great subject to get your teeth into, as long as it is done with an open mind.

 :)

texasboy:
too many times these people try to prove to others that their beliefs are the true beliefs... it is a personal subject.. and this is why so many disasters and wars have eventuated from it.  Great subject to get your teeth into, as long as it is done with an open mind.

 :)
[/quote]

http://search.ntlworld.com/ntlworld/search.php?q=Number+of+religious+denominations+in+California&cr=&x=20&y=4
I give this only to see how many religious offshoots there are in one state(California) alone(hundreds) When you don't agree ,start another church!!! Human interpretation may be the problem, not the religion. Leaders with chip on their shoulders (not our Chip.lol) can cause mayhem.
Bring back Zeus. ;D
cheers

cissie:
Thats why i had a go at the Buddhists for a while.. loved their teachings.. the peace and harmony.. however.. i liked my meat too much.. and couldn't stay a vegetarian for very long..  :)

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