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Do you believe that religion does more harm than good?

Discussion in 'Religion & Spirituality' started by helpinghand, Jul 27, 2015.

  1. helpinghand

    helpinghand New Member

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    I think everybody will admit the fact that all religions focus on goodness in humans. But in the present day world people are ready to die and kill each other to show supremacy of their religion. They do not spare even small children. They always try to prove that these are all being done for God. Sometimes I wonder if the whole world is under one religion all these atrocities can be avoided. All humans can work towards a common goal of making this world a better place to live.

    I would be eager to see your views on this.
     
  2. arthurchappell

    arthurchappell New Member

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    Having spent four and a half years in a cult until my escape in 1985 I am biased in favour of saying religion is certainly more harmful than beneficial to individuals and societies.
     
  3. Olly wood

    Olly wood New Member

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    I became an atheist at quite and early age, when I was about eleven my Grandfather told me of his experiences in WW1 after I asked him why he had a number tattooed on his arm, he explained that during the war a lot of men got killed by being blown to pieces, but in most cases an arm was found, so if he was killed they would be able to identify by his army number.

    He then related to me his part in the battle at Paschendale, and what a terrible atrocity for humanity it was, he said that the things he saw both sides do shocked him, in fact it shocked him so much it destroyed his faith. He could never believe in God after seeing those things, because he felt that if there was a God he would never allow his creation to act toward itself in the ways he had seen.

    All I know is that when he died he chose to be cremated, there wasn't a church service, his ashes were scattered at the cemetery.

    I chose to be an atheist because I think of God as a childs imaginary friend.

    If there is a God, then he is nature, that is why tend to be pagan in my beliefs, and thank nature for what it provides, rather than some thing I cannot see or touch.
     
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  4. Aian

    Aian New Member

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    Religions don't cause harm. It's the people who misuse the religion and follow their own wrong judgement that causes all the harm.
    No religion tells it's believers to kill off innocent people or even disbelievers to show their devotion for their religion.
    People are the one who take bad actions in the name of their religion even though those religions strictly disagree with their actions.
     
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  5. Lokita

    Lokita New Member

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    I believe most of the religions in existence do much more harm than good. I personally feel that people are brainwashed with religion before the age of reason. People are subjected to guilt, fear based tactics and intolerant doctrines causing them to grow up with a less then mindset.

    I also feel that most religions promote doctrines of separation which contribute to the chaos in this world instead of promoting unity. The only way we as a society will ever experience true peace is when we all live a life based on love not religion.
     
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  6. HappyHeart

    HappyHeart New Member

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    I was raised in the Mennonite religion and it did me both harm and good so it's hard to really answer on a personal level. However there are a lot of people who get way too lost in religions and act like they have become "a God" in sorts. In my opinion these kinds of religions are very dangerous for those who are followers. Being a leader is a very delicate thing and sometimes that goes to a persons head and then the entire thing turns into an ego feeding quest rather than spiritually edifying.
     
  7. Tiquito

    Tiquito New Member

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    I agree with your opinion and believe that fanaticism for a particular religion , to demonstrate that it is better than the other , will not take such a person anywhere. Simply that God will not look over to that person as a ready to inherit his kingdom. What God has always preached he was to help each other , regardless of religion , color, creed , and something else. Values such as these that are losing more and more these days . If there were only one religion that causes everyone to help and believing in the only existing God , the world would be much better.
     
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  8. Vishesh

    Vishesh New Member

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    I believe that although there are several positive aspects of religion and participating in religious discussion I still believe that religion has also caused a lot of negative in the world. Unfortunately religions have caused division, war, hate, death and crisis. Religion has also helped bring people together spreading joy, happiness, love and peace. I believe that religion itself is not bad but the individuals who claim, pervert, and twist religion are the problem. But at the end of the day love is the only answer.
     
  9. Eldho

    Eldho New Member

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    It is really sad to see and hear those innocent people getting killed in the name of religion, which ultimately tells us to love and care for each other. I can't even think of a single religion that doesn't say that. So the real problem here is not the religion, it is the people who manipulate the religious faith for their personal gains.

    I'm a faithful Christian, but I wasn't always like that. In my teenage days, I did question the relevance of religion and god, but few experiences and events that occurred in my life changed everything. But it is also true that for most of the people the religion is like an identification document that they own and, the churches (in the case of Christians) are more like a club. A person who truly believe and understand the core values of a religion won't be like them. As for the question of the existence of god, it is a matter of faith and I have mine.
     
  10. Van Mondido

    Van Mondido New Member

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    I think when religion teaches non-tolerance and exclusivity coupled with misinterpretation of the teachings, then the wrong seeds are being sown. This mindset is very dangerous as it breeds hatred towards those that are outside of their circle. That is why we see too many conflicts these days. Unfortunately, the proof is in the pudding. What we see today are centuries-old conflicts born out of misuse of religion.
     
  11. rodmcd

    rodmcd New Member

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    Great topic!
     
  12. rodmcd

    rodmcd New Member

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  13. bella556

    bella556 Member

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    I am a believer in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. He is the one who sustains me every day of my life. Apart from him I can do nothing.
    My faith in him and the word are also are what give me the direction to live in this world. I pray many will come to the saving knowledge of the Savior before its too late. May God bless you and your family.
     
  14. Becher

    Becher New Member

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    I always imagine and ask myself : how the life would be without religions ? The answer will always be "It will much more better" with less wars, less fighting and less hate. As humans, we are different from other life beings because we developed a complicated brain over millions years. Our brains have the ability to think and analyse complicated things and we can easily think what are the right morals for better life. We don't need old rules to control our lives, because we can make our own rules and keep develop them over the years.

    So yes, I totally agree with you, religions do more harm than good for humanity and life in general.
     
  15. Amber Murphy

    Amber Murphy New Member

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    I don't think religion cause us any harm, but sometimes I feel like it doesn't do us any good either. On the down side, I feel like religion separate us as humans. There are hundreds of religions out there with different God's, bibles, and stories. No religion is the same. People with different religous backgrounds are usually looked down on if it differs from what they believe in. Religion can be a good thing because it helps people develop good morals in their life.
     
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  16. Hitman Quote

    Hitman Quote New Member

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    Personally I think the most common widely know religions such as christianty and muslim was made up by the old intellectuals for purposes of political,economical and social intervention in future to ensure effiecient control of the world.That is what I strongly believe that is the main objective of bringing religion.Therefore I think religion was to bring more harm and less positive objectives
     
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  17. JasmineG

    JasmineG New Member

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    I honestly think it depends on the person. Religion should not define you or your actions. I think that when it does, this is when it becomes an issue. Having faith to me is much different than religion. You have morals, you believe in a higher power, but there is no man made book that defines and dictates who you are as a person as well as what you do.

    Some people also become extremely religious, and begin to judge or condemn others, which is contradictory to what most religious books tell them to do.
     
  18. JD25

    JD25 New Member

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    its depend on how u see it. To me personally, religion do not harm people. its people use the religion to suppress people
     
  19. Jesse

    Jesse New Member

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    Religion is like anything else; it depends on how the individual uses it.

    I myself identify as an agnostic/atheist; however, I cannot discount the good religion has done in giving some people the strength to persevere in the face of intense suffering. It has a positive impact on many people's lives, whatever one may think of the reality of it.

    However, needless to say it has also been a powerful motivational tool for fanatics, or for power-hungry charlatans using it as a smokescreen, throughout history in everything from The Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, Salem Witch Trials, Ku Klux Klan, Al Qaeda and ISIS, etc., and been used as a justification for slavery, oppression of women, homophobia, etc.

    However, I think you could also argue those prejudices would exist with or without the Bible/Koran/Whatever to lend them moral backing in the minds of the oppressors.

    Religion is a tool people can use for good or evil. The good or evil lies in the person's own heart.
     
  20. Hitman Quote

    Hitman Quote New Member

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    Well said my friend am actually starting to think we have the same opinion on this topic with you.I believe religion is being use by some people to suppress others.
     

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