Dodece said:
Religion truly is the opiate of the masses, and under its influence humans are capable of acts, thoughts, and deeds that they would otherwise not be capable of. That is where this thread is going, and while all of that may be true. It isn't really the heart of the matter. Religion foments divisions between people and peoples, and it is in those schisms between individuals and groups where evil festers.
Religion is the foundation from which racism, nationalism, feudalism, sexism, and slavery spring. It separates one group from another, and diminishes the respect of one individual for another. It doesn't just make it easier to justify bad acts against another. That is the natural byproduct of this way of thinking. Let us be clear about something religion in all its many forms is a way of thinking.
Religion isn't in itself bad, but it is bad in certain contexts. Ten thousand years ago religious thinking probably gave our ancestors a survival advantage, because it strengthened the group by giving it common purpose, and creating certain ways of behaving towards one another that minimized conflict, or allowed it to happen in a controlled form. However that was then, and this is now.
Religion puts up walls, and while those walls once helped us to keep our enemies at bay. Those walls have become our true enemy. The future of our species is becoming increasingly dependent on pluralism. A group of people who are sitting behind a wall going insane isn't self contained anymore. It doesn't really matter if it is just one group, and the other groups are pacifists. That one group can do damage on a global scale.
Religion by its very nature no matter what the adherent believes is a corrupting force. That actually does more harm now then it does good. If you doubt this at all. Look at the global trends. Nations where pluralism, non religiosity, and secularism are in the ascent. Very much dominate the Nations where that is not the case, and it isn't just in the form of militarism we are talking about.
Those nations having fewer boundaries between their citizens. Are able to work together to far greater effect. This is an evolution. Anywhere that religious thinking has started to wane. There has been a boon in the human capacity for creation. Everything goes right through the roof. Science, the humanities, civil engineering, and philanthropy. It is because religion is actually detrimental, and is that not a textbook definition of something that is evil.
Something that expressly harms the group. You can have any religion of any color you like, and have it lead by who ever you want, but it doesn't change the defining characteristics about religious thinking. It doesn't promote the exchange of ideas, or the creation of new ideas. Which are what drive progress. |
Sir, while I respect your perspective in your post, I feel as though I should state a few things to hopefully change your opinion on the matter in someways.
Firstly, I don't see how Religion is the sole reason why people do bad acts, considering lots of non-religious sects condone lots of evil doing, without a care in the world. Also, if it wasn't for Religion I don't think there would be any reason for any one to care about their wrong actions and the concept of morals would be completely askewed. People could do as much harm as possible to each other and not care about it, because it isn't wrong to them, they won't get punished and it makes their life easier, so why wouldn't they do it. Generally speaking, most religions, Huddism, Buddism, Christianity, Islam and Judasim generally teach people of understanding each other and moral basis and generally accept plurism. It's a way of thinking, but it doesn't usually govern everything a person should do.
When you said "Religion is the foundation from which racism, nationalism, feudalism, sexism, and slavery spring." I don't see how this is true. It's just a common way of thinking. And if anything most Religions address these problems. You're getting people's ancient way of thinking confused with Religion as a whole. These people just used Religion for a reason to condone all the bad things they've done or they chose to follow their Religion the way they see fit.
Of course some Religions can be cortupt, but it's unfair to judge them all based on a few ancient/unpopular religions, or by people who chose to follow it the way they want to follow it.
"but it doesn't change the defining characteristics about religious thinking. It doesn't promote the exchange of ideas, or the creation of new ideas. Which are what drive progress." Lastly, I feel as though I need to correct you on this. I don't see how being a Muslim or a Christian limits are ability to progressively make new ideas. Look at America, a place that is both religious and free how it's pushed the world forward in so many ways in the past century. I don't think them believing that Jesus is their savior limited their progress one bit. Also think back at the Arab people, and how they've made so many discoveries in science and other fields. I don't their belief in Allah interfered with that either.
And honestly, speaking you can't blame Religion on all the ills the world has. Man has a tendency to do wrong and some people just try to use their Religion for a reason to justify the wrong they've done. That is the only difference. Religion, while capable of making people do terrible things, does not do more harm than good. If someone makes up an deity, that could make us all behave better to each other and inspire us to do great things and give us a moral compass to follow, isn't that something that could never go stale?
And to the OP, if you believe in God and Satan, than isn't it Satan that does the corrupting to the Religion and us? :P
