Is organized religion good or bad for humanity in this day and age?
With 2010 right around the corner, is humanity outgrowing its need for organized religion?
Religion helps millions
Side Score: 8
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Religion keeps us in the dark
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It neither helps millions nor does it keep us in the dark. Also, it is neither good nor bad. It is irrelevant. People are people, no matter what. The idea that one ideology is really worse than the others is retarded. All ideologies, including religion, are retarded. And as human beings, we will ALWAYS be plagued by an ideology. So religion, by itself, is neither good nor bad. It is simply just human nature. Now, is human nature good or bad? I would say bad. Side: Religion helps millions
I hope this isn't getting off topic too much but I have a question as to what is so bad about anarchy. To me, the answers to these questions are obvious, but I am curious as to what you think. Do you think that people who do not believe in a god are incapable of having morals and being good people? Do you think that people who do believe in a god are always moral and are always good people? Side: Both
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I've been learning about worldviews as of late and am quite confident that some sort of religion is the only correct way of thinking. The three major worldviews are Naturalism(atheism), Transcendentalism, and Theism. There are certain benefits that have to be accepted in all three of these worldviews. and they are questions on objective morals, free will, a personal soul, life after death, a god, meaning and hope. On to dissecting Naturalism. Naturalism states that the every thing that exists, exists on the material plane. There is never anything that exists on a supernatural level. So naturalism basically states that there are no moral principles, no free will, no personal soul, no life after death, no god, and no meaning or hope to existance. So anyone who is engaging in an act that they believe is an act of free will can not logically believe to be a Naturalist. Now Transcendentalism. This one is easy. Trans. states that nothing exists independently because we are all part of a greater whole. If nothing exists then we have no way of knowing whether or not trans. exists. easy huh? So in a certain way Trans. proves itself not to exist. Now comes theism which is the only worldview that has answers on the benefits that make sense. Logically some form of theism is the only worldview worth believing. Now as to what form of theism is correct I'll let you decide. Side: Religion helps millions
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Religion is a tool and its effects are determined by the people who use it. Places of worship can be a hub for people to socialize, build relationships, and improve their communities. For example, I grew up in a Presbyterian church. If a member of the congregation was in the hospital for more than a day, other churchgoers would offer childcare and cook meals for their family. The church also set up a program with other churches in the area offering food and lodging for homeless families. They sponsor relief missions in America and abroad, hold fundraisers and auctions to raise money for food, diapers, immunizations and mosquito nets for impoverished people. On the other hand, people have done and continue to do terrible things in the name of their religion, among them oppression, genocide, ignorance, war, and discrimination. I am sure we are all familiar with plenty of examples, such as the Inquisition and the current state of gay rights in America. My opinion is that religion provides lots of opportunities for immoral people to rise to a position of influence and control through the aggressive spread of hate, fear, and panic. It has often been used to keep people from learning too much, or putting any stock in hard science, and I feel like that is pretty sad. Religion isn't exactly responsible for these things, be they good or bad, but it is often the flag that is raised to inspire people to action. Side: Both
I agree with zombee and pyg, it can certainly be good. I think though as pointed out, it's nothing more than a tool. And I would wager for every person that tool is used to help, there are, and have been, thousands hated, beaten, ridiculed, tortured, and killed, with that exact same tool. So no, organized religion is not a good thing, and we need to shed ourselves of these superstitions. Side: Religion keeps us in the dark
The point I was making wasn't that it can be good. It was that religion is irrelevant to the good and bad done on this Earth. Human nature is the cause of the good and bad, and part of Human Nature is clinging onto an ideology no matter what; whether it be religion, communism, veganism, etc. Side: Religion helps millions
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(Firstly, I'd like to note that before posting this, I had 666 points.) While religion is an extremely helpful institution to many, many people, organized religion breeds fear, suspicion, ignorance, bias, and superiority complexes that could kill. Every organized religion has a history of violence and oppression which may carry over into modern and future times. Organized religion is definitely a no-no. Side: Religion keeps us in the dark
Religion is good for the starving, the damned, and the hopeless.(When I say good I actually mean vital, you'd be surprised how much 'false hope' can actually accomplish) But when people in powerful places let religion get in the way of their actions, it becomes a hindrance. A very very large one. Side: Religion keeps us in the dark
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