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Is religion beneficial?

The other thread about terrorism and extremism within religion has left me wondering whether religion has been beneficial for humanity in the long run.

Personally, I�ve considered myself Athiest since probably age 14 or 15, despite being baptized and bought up in a fairly religious environment.

As much as this will offend some people on this board, I see belief in a higher, benevolent, omnipresent being as a sign of weakness; an unwillingness to accept that there are things out of our control, disasters that happen for no reason, and that death really and truly is �the end�. I see myself as a pragmatist, ready to accept life for what it is, rather than believing in some �greater plan� or greater good.

This confuses me somewhat because I know that some of the greatest analytical and practical minds of all time, some of the best scientists, have also been some of the most devoutly religious people, and who am I to refute the viewpoints of such geniuses?

However, I digress.

Throughout history, a great number of conflicts have occurred simply because of a difference in religion. Sometimes marauding invaders have actually adopted the religions of the people they were conquering, or vice versa, but religion, even with the best of intentions, preaching peace, love and all the accoutrements, has bought about a substantial amount of suffering to all mankind.

It has bred such horrific things such as the holocaust and the crusades, as well as persecution and the concept of martyrdom. In the past people have died because their religion tells them that to fight is wrong.

In return for such atrocities, religion has given us charity programs in other countries, community counseling and support, schools, hospitals and an enourmous amount of other projects that contribute positively to the world.

So, the question is thus: would humanity be better or worse off if religion had never been established?

Would the world be a better place for lack of wars and differences between people? Would humanity have flourished more in the Middle Ages had they spent their time inventing things and building houses rather than constructing cathedrals and mosques and paying heavy taxes to their church?

Religion of the self, ie Buddhism and the like is very good.

However, corrupted religions, eg Christianity, are quite harmful even though their ideas are beneficial if used in the way originally intended.

Unfortunately, people in power (who were under complete control by their ego) twisted the original meanings of the Bible, Qu'uran, etc to be used as a device to control the people they ruled over.

For instance, when Jesus (if we're assuming he existed) spoke about God, he was not speaking about a single omnipotent being but the Being that is inherent in everything when you take away labels and forms and accept things for what they truly are.

If you read the Bible with an understanding of Buddhist principles, you'll actually see the real meaning in the words and how the Bible relates very closely with Buddhism.

So to sum it up: Religion = Good. Religion spread and practiced through the Ego = VERY BAD.
Too bad the majority of religious practitioners are the latter.

quote:

Originally posted by kadomony Religion of the self, ie Buddhism and the like is very good.

I agree, if I was religious I would be Buddhist, it seems like a very admirable set of beliefs and values with little room for abuse.

of course not. there is nothing that religion does that cannot be gained through other, less problematic means.

to answer your question,

i think religion, as long as it is orthodox, can lead people to goodness and better their lives

i.e. Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, etc.

if what you believe in is unorthodox or not righteous, then you may have problems

also, if religion had never been established is an iffy assumption because who knows if you could prevent history from being recorded? if Jesus really existed, then wouldn't His teachings have been copied and passed down?

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN of course not. there is nothing that religion does that cannot be gained through other, less problematic means.

Not quite correct.

It extorts money from them by claiming that if they don't give they will burn in hell/not reincarnate/karma etc

That money is then used for charity.

I doubt that this money could be obtained any other way.

Additionally, the emissaries of most religions live poorly and may not even earn a wage, allowing them to teach in schools etc. Without religion, these people would be demanding a wage and the availability of education would drop significantly (not so much today, but certainly from the 1800's to the 1900's. Think of all the schools set up by Jewish, Catholic, Christian and Islamic leaders over the years!)

p.s Taoism/Daoism is another good one like Buddhism; I forgot about that.

i never understood the difference between Catholicism and Christianity

interesting thread. I post in this thread just to bump it's interestingness!

quote:

Originally posted by spacechica i never understood the difference between Catholicism and Christianity

Catholicism is a form of Christianity, just as Kabbalah is a form of Judaism.

Christian is a broad term for those who believe in God and Jesus. There are many branches of Christianity.

This thread just reminded me how many legitimate, widespread and stupid religions there are! Scientology, The Exclusive Brethren etc...

quote:

Originally posted by spacechica are u having problems with homosexuality and as such, have you been pressured to seek a way to be religious and free yourself from the binds of so- called damnation?

Beat Blog (and everyone else)

I suggest you check out these books:

The Power of Now - By Eckhart Tolle
A New Earth - By Eckhart Tolle
The Book of Understanding: Creating Your Own Path to Freedom - By Osho
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life - By Steven Hayes

They'll give you a practical knowledge of a lot of Buddhist principles that can be applied in today's world.

We can't forget that Islam was a harbinger of science, technology, and order while the Europeans were wallowing in their serfdom Dark Ages. While Europeans were burning witches, Islam's mosques were rising grander than anything Europe had at the time. Mosques served as hospitals, academies, etc.

Google Moorish Spain, the city of Cordoba. Google Islamic Babylon right before the Mongol invasion destroyed the precious archives. While a monastery in Europe could only hope to have 10 books, Islamic libraries carried thousands. Cordoba, Spain was the only place a European could ever hope to see so many books in one place. Google video, Empire of Faith. Contrary to contemporary Islam, medieval Islam was very much cosmopolitan just as the Romans were during their hayday.

wait, do you have an incurable disease and are you seeking salvation?

Religion is simply a form of brainwashing.I really dont see any benefits of it at all.It has caused nothing but death and destruction.

The average person seems far too stupid to make ethical decisions without someone telling them what to do. I know it makes me sound like some kind of snobbish elitist but there is no way you can deny the fact that the "majority" is incredibly dumb.

By no way am I saying that religion is good, I myself would love to see a world without it but if anything is going to govern the behaviour of the idiots let it be the law.

"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed." - Einstein

quote:

Originally posted by Krypton We can't forget that Islam was a harbinger of science, technology, and order while the Europeans were wallowing in their serfdom Dark Ages. While Europeans were burning witches, Islam's mosques were rising grander than anything Europe had at the time. Mosques served as hospitals, academies, etc.

Islamic author Omar Nasiri frankly stated that one of al-Qaeda's reasons for terrorism is that they are ashamed of what the great Islamic world state has become, forced to use western weapons in their own wars where once they were the pinnacle of technology.

...but let's not make this about Islam. I would argue that Christianity has been far more destructive throughout the ages.

quote:

Originally posted by spacechica wait, do you have an incurable disease and are you seeking salvation?

will you kindly STFU


As for the topic, i've seen how religion can be of benefit in the area of death. It may be seen as a coping mechanism to believe in an afterlife, heaven, reincarnation ect. Ultimately if it makes the person a little bit happier, wheres the wrong in that?
I've nursed buddhist/catholics/muslim people dying and seen how the families cope and accept death. Whereas i have noticed people who don't believe in anything find it extremely hard to come to terms with dying/death.

quote:

Originally posted by Beat Blog Islamic author Omar Nasiri frankly stated that one of al-Qaeda's reasons for terrorism is that they are ashamed of what the great Islamic world state has become, forced to use western weapons in their own wars where once they were the pinnacle of technology. ...but let's not make this about Islam. I would argue that Christianity has been far more destructive throughout the ages.

I was just bringing up an instance in which religion has benefited the world. Islam has had its golden age and its long over.

everything is good and bad.

just look at everything in the world.

tru st0ry

quote:

Originally posted by narcism will you kindly STFU As for the topic, i've seen how religion can be of benefit in the area of death. It may be seen as a coping mechanism to believe in an afterlife, heaven, reincarnation ect. Ultimately if it makes the person a little bit happier, wheres the wrong in that? I've nursed buddhist/catholics/muslim people dying and seen how the families cope and accept death. Whereas i have noticed people who don't believe in anything find it extremely hard to come to terms with dying/death.

1. Some people on their deathbed realize it doesn't matter. Everything that has form is temporary. (Buddhism) Even a devout Christian could perhaps suddenly achieve enlightenment and understand that nothing based on form is permanent.

2. Other people are so controlled by their ego (which is obsessed with form and attachment) that their ego resists losing their body til the end. Although, I'll bet right before they die, they realize the truth since their thought (ego) processes are stopped.

-edit

3. Also, some religious people could outwardly appear happy because they've convinced themselves they're going to "Heaven" or what have you. Where, on the inside they're possibly thinkging "What if I haven't done enough good to go to Heaven."

it has, for these fucktards

Excuse me while i snake this thread for a minute:

Bullshit.

As an atheist I realise that the person dying has ended their existence and they are no longer with me. People cry because of regrets. Nothing else.

The only reason i cried when my grandma died was because I didnt spend more time with her before she died of heart attack. She took care of me when I was young and I always wanted to repay her for what shes done.

But standing beside her body, surprisingly I didnt weep a single tear after I bawled my eyes out when I first heard the news. I knew her existence is over and shes not suffering anymore. The end.

Yes, you should feel sad when someones gone. Its normal, even animals have sad emotions when a loved one is gone. But animals know when to stop crying and get over it.Thats life and I think religious people cant/have a harder time to comprehend that fact.

quote:

Originally posted by -FSP- everything is good and bad. just look at everything in the world. tru st0ry

i think i agree with this, there is potential good and bad in everything. I' don't really know what to think about God. I mean there really are so many unexplainable mysteries/phenomena accounted for throughout history and I think that God is just another one of these eternal questions that no one can really prove one way or another.
I think that there is many beneficial aspects of religion, but it is easily corrupted.

I am not religious but extremely spiritual. Until you have experienced what I have you will have absolutely no understanding of what life really is.

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