Religion - More Harm than Good?

[liowkc]

One thing for sure is that many crimes and atrocities have been committed in the name of religions Defenders of religion would often argue that religion itself is good and it is just the wicked human beings that are using religion as a pretext to commit mischief. This defense of religion may be tenable but it still begs the question why religion has been so widely and conveniently used for such vile purposes.

As a secularist, I would argue that religions do more harm than good, at best it is only the opiate of the masses. On this and only point, I heartily agree with Karl Marx.

[Oasis]

I completely disagree with you. How can religions do more harm than good when religions themselves teach people to be nice? Without religions, nobody would feel guilty to do crimes and other bad things. Crime rates would be much higher when people had no reason to be good. Imagine a world without unwritten rules. You should do more research on religions before accusing them like that.

[ZackFaire]

Karl Marx has his vantage point but religion isn't something easily pushed aside since it's been older than the life of that man.

All religions teach you about the principles of life. It is the person who represents that religion that will use the power to his advantage and become corrupt with it.

Religion doing more harm than good? I personally don't think so.

[flaco]

Religion gives people something to believe in. This inherently is good because people believe that a higher power will help them get through rough times they are enduring or may even help "save" them in an after life. Religion does good for the mind, however in the long run it cannot be documented and therefore does a lot more harm than it does good.

[Right]

The society in its present form has seen Religion don various masks. People have taken upon themselves to not only practice it the way they like it….but instead they are now focused more on preaching it.

To me…..this is the most harmful side of any religion.

Religion has been and should be a personal way of joining your own soul with GOD. Why should people interfere with other people’s method of doing so. Nobody’s faith is stronger or weaker and hence they should refrain from comparing the strength of each others’ religion.

Religion is very personal and sacred….hence please keep it that way. Otherwise, it surely is bound to do more harm than good.

Regards,

Right

[ebittner]

I would have to agree with you that it causes a lot of harm on this earth as wars and constant fighting occurs because of it. But the real root of religion is the use of it to keep people from fearing death anymore than they inherently do anyway, and to some people wars and disagreements are worth that.

[justlearn]

Originally Posted by liowkc

... Defenders of religion would often argue that religion itself is good and it is just the wicked human beings that are using religion as a pretext to commit mischief. This defense of religion may be tenable but it still begs the question why religion has been so widely and conveniently used for such vile purposes.

But as you said the defenders, have a strong point there, the religion itself says that the person doing the crime is responsible for his doings, you don't do any thing for the sake of religion. The theories of karl marx, even communists ideology is very widely misused in the world.

My only advise when you want to judge on something don't check its sources directly not their followers, what would you do if Karl Marx later in his life would say he accepts a particular religion... I mean do not get carried away by any single persons theories, take your time and study them and decide.

BTW Pearl harbor was not bombed because of religion, nukes were not dropped on Japan because of religion. Its because of oil and military equipments contracts, that the western countries are in the middle east now.

[sham]

Dear friend, i would agree with u. Wat does the religion do here. religion always teach the goodness not the other. harm is made or created by man. there is no way pointing the religion. man created the terrorism. always god say us to love each other. in all religion , love stands as the main statement .

[bluesnow]

In my opinion, religion in itself does not do harm. It actually provide the believers with a set of regulations and rules to follow and provides spiritual support for people. It is how religion may be misused or manipulated by people that it will cause harm to others. Religion don't teach or encourage people to commit crimes. Instead, it encourages ethical behavior.

[Albert]

Religion teaches you to be good. Further more it brings you closer to God , your creator. Love God above all things and then Love your neighbor as yourself.

[RioKwik]

I think in the greater scheme of things, religion does more harm than good, even if you view it only as an opium for the masses.

The question that you would need to be asking then is "Where would we as people and a civilization be without religion?"

If you think about it, people use religion and there belief in God to serve a purpose. To serve a purpose for living, family, give them values and morals to strive for-- it all has a purpose to those who have a faith that they live by.

Furthermore, religion provides so many that need it, the hope with which they require to get through every day and live. In some cases it is needed in more than others, but even those who are living in the most dire circumstances have faith. And they also try to live according to their religious beliefs even when it is under duress or there really is no hope for them.

I shudder to think where this world would be without religion or some sort of standard to hold ourselves to. As it is, most of the standards that set people apart as good or bad are deeply rooted in religious beliefs.

[zowie]

All religions teach that their god is the best and the rest of all are false gods. This creates hatred in people towards other religions and people of other beliefs. And this hatred is going to come out in the form of violence when a chance is got. So religions are the cause of a lot of violence.

[Aleiah]

Originally Posted by RioKwik

I shudder to think where this world would be without religion or some sort of standard to hold ourselves to. As it is, most of the standards that set people apart as good or bad are deeply rooted in religious beliefs.

I agree with you that "some standards" set are based on religious beliefs, but not all are. Most of the laws and decrees created on the land are for what's good and best for the majority. The standards set are actually pro-people and pro-peace, so all could settle peacefully on land. However, most countries have their own traditions and cultures to follow, and since these are part of their daily life, their standards are also set based on these cultures, customs and traditions.