Your Opinion: RELIGION - Good/Bad Overall

[Boerseun]

Many, many years ago, religion served a very core and fundamental purpose in forming human societies around set rules and regulations. Punishment was meted out when these set rules were ignored or broken. These penalties included harsh measures ranging from whippings to beheadings - but served the function filled today by Central Government, passing laws and judgements and basically make civilization as we know it, possible.

 

Religion served in a big way as the seed of civilization, but has served its purpose now. Religion is outdated, having been superceded by big, enormous, globe-straddling civilizations that are steered not by their priests anymore, but by their strong central governments that works (supposedly) from the bottom up, with the power lieing (supposedly - in the absence of any corruption) in the hands of the voters, or, the humans forming the society. Religion also works vertically, but with all the power seated in some imaginary deity's hands - or, if you will, in the hands of the priests and the machinery of Church) with the power being passed from the top to the bottom.

 

The function of the Church and State is exactly the same. They both serve to unify and streamline different pockets of individuals into one big "Group". But the State deals with you in Truth and rationality (supposedly), and the Church deals with you in eternal threats and irrationality.

 

In today's enlightened world (for the most part), we should recognise the value that religion had in forming our civilization. But we should also recognize that its time has come and gone.

 

Religion is primarily intended to appeal to ignorant and illiterate people, and its metaphors and workings are suited to such an audience. We are beyond that now.

 

To believe in lies is your prerogative. But to let the lie permeate society whilst you very well know it for what it is, is bad. So, as an aside to this thread, I don't think toleration of religion is a very moral standpoint for an atheist... (think about that one for a second)

 

So, in my point of view, if you're a theist, then religions are good. All of them. Because to denounce one will cast suspicion on your own - after all, prove it... <chuckle>

 

But if you're an atheist, then all religions must be bad, because the base premise is a lie.

 

So, to answer the original post, in my view, religions was good and served a purpose. Now that they've done their bit, instead of exiting stage left like good and obedient religions are supposed to do, they hang on to survival by tooth and nail and dynamite stick, and are now just bad. All of them, overall, completely and totally.

 

My 2c's, for what its worth.

[palmtreepathos]

Truth is GOOD. Lies are BAD.

Superstition is a willingness to follow hearsay, assumptions, stories, and people, while abdicating responsibility to make an informed choice(they made me/I didn't know better) and usually allows for intolerance. Usually this is inflicted on children while they are forming their understanding of how things work and can be deeply ingrained.

I think superstition is BAD.

 

Most religion is superstition, espescially the way people do it. I mean by this, if you don't do the work involved in knowing the background, scriptures, and reputation of your faith, that is superstition. Superstition is a helpless/willingness to conform, support, fear or believe the unknown.

 

Make SURE your faith is worth living for OR worth dying for. The Bible quotes Jesus as saying "the hour is coming when everyone that kills you will imagine he has rendered a sacred service to God. But they will do these things because they have not come to know either the Father or me." (John 16:2-3)then in Revelation chapters 17-18 it says God will put it in the minds of beast-like governments to do away with it's unholy rider ("religion" per-se), only what he approves of will be left standing according to the Bible, everything else will go. So make SURE of what you believe, be very sure....

[InfiniteNow]

Thank you for your contribution Palmtreepathos. I appreciate it.

 

I am, though, a little confused by your distinction between "superstition" and "faith." From my perspective, it seems more like the difference between a Red Delicous apple and a Gala apple, not a difference between apples and oranges.

 

Can you elaborate why faith is held to a different standard than the one to which you just held superstition? If not, no worries, and I still thank you for your contribution above.

 

 

 

 

Boerseun - Good point. Although the question referred to the goodness/badness in present times, it's critical to realize the extreme importance and necessary functions religions served historically.

[Boerseun]

Although the question referred to the goodness/badness in present times, it's critical to realize the extreme importance and necessary functions religions served historically.

For sure! But in realizing the historic importance of religion in forming civilization, we should also realize that through philosophical and scientific andvances, we have now successfully transcended religion, and the civilizing need thereof.

 

Religion is a vestigal remnant of our cultural evolution. Not serving any real function now anymore in a world run by Constitutional Law (for the most part), which have take over the cloak of authority from the old priests, religion hangs on like an appendix to the body of civilization. If we can stretch the analogy further, an appendix doesn't really do any harm or good - matter of fact, it does very little at all. But if we look at the prejudice, hatred, xenophobia, homophobia, incest, genocide, infanticide etc. built into the DNA (the scriptures) of quite a few of these vestigal religions, changes are very big that they can turn malignant and be detrimental to the body as a whole.

 

Fine analogy, but mere words. In my view, religions is simply bad because it's based on a false premise. And, they're mutually exclusive. In a world thats getting bound up tighter and tighter with ever-growing communication, contact between incompatible and mutually exclusive superstitions will become more frequent and more violent. Kill 'em all, I say. God will know His own.

[Mike C]

My opinion on religion is that it is bad if derived from the bible.

We do not need the popes either.

 

Nature is our greatest teacher because the animals do not need the bible or the popes to tell them what to do.

 

My Brand of Socialism would 'eliminate' religion because it would give the citizens (US/world) the security we all need and want. That would be the 3 most important essentials to our needs.

 

They are guarateed jobs (no unemployment), needed healthcare and pensions.

Lesser needs could be added later.

 

So with this type of government, why would anyone need religion?

Well, I did forget to add a very important addition and that is 'freedom' of speech to keep our government from departing from this citizens format.

 

Since most religions do not grant freedom and are at war with someone or other religions, I guess we would need guaranteed free speech rights but 'without derogatory criticisms that invite disorder.

 

Mike C

[InfiniteNow]

But if we look at the prejudice, hatred, xenophobia, homophobia, incest, genocide, infanticide etc. built into the DNA (the scriptures) of quite a few of these vestigal religions, changes are very big that they can turn malignant and be detrimental to the body as a whole.

<...>

In my view, religions is simply bad because it's based on a false premise. And, they're mutually exclusive. In a world thats getting bound up tighter and tighter with ever-growing communication, contact between incompatible and mutually exclusive superstitions will become more frequent and more violent.

So, I'll count you in the "Bad" category. :)

 

 

Very well said. :smart:

[palmtreepathos]

I am, though, a little confused by your distinction between "superstition" and "faith." From my perspective, it seems more like the difference between a Red Delicous apple and a Gala apple, not a difference between apples and oranges.

Can you elaborate why faith is held to a different standard than the one to which you just held superstition?

 

Some definitions do blur the meanings so that they seem to be the same thing... 1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. or 2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof (I call this superstition)

 

According to the Bible "faith is the assured (by study on your part /proofs on HIS) expectation of things hoped for(and promised), the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.* Hebrew 11:1 "[ My (..)'s]

 

It seems that many in here believe that dialectic(the art of formal reasoning, especially the procedure of seeking truth through debate or discussion) will achieve truth. I simply don't have such faith in humans, our vision is so limited, our corruptability and self-involvement too pronounced. Yet it is obvious that we have a great capacity/need to devote ourselves to something greater than ourselves which fires up passions and energy to accomplish great works.

 

After years of atheistic living I decided to try religion in the manner of Socrates declaration of the "examined life". I looked for a group who was known for teaching the Bible AND critical thinking.(wiki:Critical thinking consists of mental processes of discernment, analysis and evaluation...processes of reflecting upon a tangible or intangible item in order to form a solid judgment that reconciles scientific evidence with common sense.) Could they show me something more than the kindergarder style religion that I saw practiced by the adults around me which had turned me off years ago? I found a group out sharing this education without pay or reembursement, not requiring baptism first or tithing(ever), where you are taught but given a free choice, as it should be. Christians that are known by the Name of God in the Bible(Jehovah's Witnesses). People who truly know what to do with a Bible!

 

Those with a cursory knowledge of the Bible cannot understand it, it needs the act of Faith, a decision to examine it critically but as IF every word came from A Being who had the power to create the universe, all life on earth and also could author a book(and protect it's contents) to enlighten his earthly family. The Bible intelligently answers questions I had about how earth works, how humanity came to be in this mess, how to understand people, what is going on that we can't see*?, who really is running things, how will this generation be resolved, what hope for the earth, why doesn't God answer your prayers and Duh! why must everone go to heaven?(NOT!) :hihi:

 

I am still in the process of this study and am still amazed at the answers and the hope it stirs in me. Believe me I did not want THEM! to be the group I would end up with, but there I am....

 

I talk to folks on a regular basis and I see that most do not want to be bothered with study, in fact many who claim to have faith don't want to be bothered with knowing in depth the God they say they worship! Weirder and weirder..... So why bother? Having been in the club of "Church" as a youth I saw it to be a social arraingment to which people would rather belong that be alone. Even those who don't believe, go along rather than be alone. Some who are afraid to rock the boat, or don't think they have the time to learn hope in the institution or whoever raised them without being "SURE". I think this is very bad for mental health. At least examine your way and take a stand....

 

Of course, you may still call this superstition but it is a "fully awake" form of faith for which I have no regrets...