Is religion really so bad?

[ding]

To hear some people you'd think so...or you'd think SOME is...but that would be looking at it only one part of it.

I do think religion helps us to think of a higher purpose, to think outside of ourselves and our immediate needs, to think of others. And that is a good thing. I'm not big into "salvation" as a formal concept...and I am firm believer that we create our own heaven and hell through our actions on earth.

I'm listening to music, the true voice of the sacred. Cat Stevens...Yusuf Islam is one. What he says makes sense and echos all the world's great faiths:

Ten Promises To Peace

Ten Promises To Peace


What has happened to the Muslim Community since the Prophet Muhammad’s passing (peace be upon him) is anything but the message of unity, love and peace he delivered. Not entirely their fault because those who prosper by dividing mankind into collective groups, those who draw lines between people and families and then make deals with violent would-be-lords, presidents and dictators, must shoulder much of the blame also.


After entering Islam through the study of the Qur’an, what shocked me was how little people knew or wanted to know about the commonalities shared between Islam and other Faiths. The partial reason for this is the ‘Blame Game’; everybody accusing the ‘others’ for the terrible condition of the world: Afghanistan, Palestine, Bosnia, Iraq, all burning flames of hatred. Whereas the fundamental message of the Prophet, calling for understanding, prayer and charity under God, is totally lost in the gun smoke and fury of the explosive wars that continue to fog many people’s understanding of Islam. Following my conversion, I realised the real battle front was ignorance and mutual antagonism, was left unattended.


After many years, and millions of fatalities the world is still a very dangerous place, and continuously in conflict. So what can we do? Well, I think we can all promise to try and make it better by following the things we all say believe in.


Lessons from the Ten Commandments


Some people perceive believers in a Divine Code of life as unfashionable and unrealistic. But these people have left the safety of God’s palace of peace, and chosen to pitch their tents outside. That’s their choice, and choice is part of the license God has given every human being. However, when laws are broken and if people commit crimes and cross the lines, you can’t blame God for what happens next. Law and Order are primary requisites that God has provided humanity to maintain peace within the palace.


One of the most important objectives of all religion is teaching people how to live together. The lessons I learnt as a school child, the Ten Commandments, are not even referred to or looked at anymore. Yet these were the rules laid down by our Creator, for the benefit and betterment of all mankind. Why are they so easily overlooked?


When we hear that over four fifths of the world’s population believe or have a faith, why are we not profiting from things we already hold as valuable and right. In Islam, the ‘Ten’ are repeated in the Qur’an and other sacred Books in so many verses and chapters. This is a plus! What is missing is commitment.


People have put their nationality and customs above the commitment to abide by a Divine template of universal rights and responsibilities.


Even the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. It goes on to describe in detail what those rights are.


So what happens? Why do some of us look down at others, and consider their lives less than equal with our own? When a person kills another from the same race and society, it’s called murder. When someone kills someone from another country it’s war. It’s a complicated subject and cannot be dealt with in this short talk, but we can realize the basis of the problem if we revisit God’s commands.​

Rest of the article at link.

And..for Christianity? What could be better expressed then in Connie Dover's Ubi Caritas.....my heart and soul



WHERE charity and love are, God is there.
Christ's love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.

WHERE charity and love are, God is there.
As we are gathered into one body,
Beware, lest we be divided in mind.
Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease,
And may Christ our God be in our midst.

WHERE charity and love are, God is there.
And may we with the saints also,
See Thy face in glory, O Christ our God:
The joy that is immense and good,
Unto the ages through infinite ages. Amen.

I appreciate your sentiments. I believe that by any measure religion has been a force for good. If one does an objective analysis.

 

[ding]

Religion does what no government can do. Teach morality and civility. Moral and civil individuals are largely governed by their own sense of right and wrong, and hence have little need for external government.

 

[ding]

Religion promotes the virtues of thankfulness, forgiveness, humility, chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience and kindness. All successful behaviors which promote order and harmony and naturally lead to success.

 

[there4eyeM]

If religion 'worked', there would be no 'government'.

 

[ding]

If religion 'worked', there would be no 'government'.

Not exactly. If men were angels there would be no need for government.

 

[ding]

Religion creates wonderful charities and organizations.

 

[there4eyeM]

'Religion' creates nothing; people created religion and they are responsible for what works and does not. Unfortunately, most of mankind's religions have served to control the mind and spirit of mankind.

 

[Moonglow]

All the positive aspects and attributes ushered forth through ones religious faith can likewise be done without believing in lies and falsehoods. Though to do so, without belief of an eternal reward requires more courage, and conviction...

Yes...I think I agree. One doesn't have to be religious to be good.

But there is something about religion, the mysticism, the search for god and meaning that is important.

So is having magical powers yet those desires fade when you find there is no end to the mystery since no one has ever attained it...

 

[Moonglow]

Religion creates wonderful charities and organizations.

and pot luck dinners...

 

[OldLady]

All the positive aspects and attributes ushered forth through ones religious faith can likewise be done without believing in lies and falsehoods. Though to do so, without belief of an eternal reward requires more courage, and conviction...

Yes...I think I agree. One doesn't have to be religious to be good.

But there is something about religion, the mysticism, the search for god and meaning that is important.

Cognitively, we seem to be more than the sum of our parts. That imagination, the curiosity, the feelings we experience that can't be put into a tidy box and stored away as "explained," those are all part of the experience of having the complex brain we do, what we call "being human."
Now that so many have given up believing in organized religion, they are turning to theories like ancient aliens and a deep state and a world power cartel and who knows what else. There always has to be a reason for what we encounter. We used to all call it God. Now we call it many things, but it's all the same impulse and I don't ever see that changing.

 

[Moonglow]

All the positive aspects and attributes ushered forth through ones religious faith can likewise be done without believing in lies and falsehoods. Though to do so, without belief of an eternal reward requires more courage, and conviction...

We could go back to going to the colossium on Sundays to watch prisoners aka gladiators kill each other.

One could only wish...

 

[Moonglow]

All the positive aspects and attributes ushered forth through ones religious faith can likewise be done without believing in lies and falsehoods. Though to do so, without belief of an eternal reward requires more courage, and conviction...

Yes...I think I agree. One doesn't have to be religious to be good.

But there is something about religion, the mysticism, the search for god and meaning that is important.

Cognitively, we seem to be more than the sum of our parts. That imagination, the curiosity, the feelings we experience that can't be put into a tidy box and stored away as "explained," those are all part of the experience of having the complex brain we do, what we call "being human."
Now that so many have given up believing in organized religion, they are turning to theories like ancient aliens and a deep state and a world power cartel and who knows what else. There always has to be a reason for what we encounter. We used to all call it God. Now we call it many things, but it's all the same impulse and I don't ever see that changing.

So God didn't give me these boils?

 

[ding]

Religious persons and institutions are usually the first source of literacy, education, and healthcare in the poorer regions.

 

[OldLady]

Religion does what no government can do. Teach morality and civility. Moral and civil individuals are largely governed by their own sense of right and wrong, and hence have little need for external government.

Religion is part of our culture, and culture is what teaches us right from wrong. I believe we can be "good" without signing on to an established faith system, although major religions all set forth the basics of a functioning, "good" society. Without those guidelines, whether they come from religion or from secular tradition, no society can prosper. There would be chaos and anarchy.
I agree with you that government cannot "teach" morality. But it never has. Government only enforces what society has already declared as right and wrong.

 

[OldLady]

All the positive aspects and attributes ushered forth through ones religious faith can likewise be done without believing in lies and falsehoods. Though to do so, without belief of an eternal reward requires more courage, and conviction...

Yes...I think I agree. One doesn't have to be religious to be good.

But there is something about religion, the mysticism, the search for god and meaning that is important.

Cognitively, we seem to be more than the sum of our parts. That imagination, the curiosity, the feelings we experience that can't be put into a tidy box and stored away as "explained," those are all part of the experience of having the complex brain we do, what we call "being human."
Now that so many have given up believing in organized religion, they are turning to theories like ancient aliens and a deep state and a world power cartel and who knows what else. There always has to be a reason for what we encounter. We used to all call it God. Now we call it many things, but it's all the same impulse and I don't ever see that changing.

So God didn't give me these boils?

Pretty sure I just said there is no "God" who gives boils. So no.

 

[ding]

Religion does what no government can do. Teach morality and civility. Moral and civil individuals are largely governed by their own sense of right and wrong, and hence have little need for external government.

Religion is part of our culture, and culture is what teaches us right from wrong. I believe we can be "good" without signing on to an established faith system, although major religions all set forth the basics of a functioning, "good" society. Without those guidelines, whether they come from religion or from secular tradition, no society can prosper. There would be chaos and anarchy.
I agree with you that government cannot "teach" morality. But it never has. Government only enforces what society has already declared as right and wrong.

So is it your belief that if we never had religion we would still have the same "guidelines?"

 

[ding]

Religion has been the source of abundant human services from hospitals, orphanages, nursing homes, and schools, to advocacy on behalf of those with no voice, to supporting cultural outreaches, and seeking always to find ways in which to protect and promote human life and its authentic flourishing.

 

[OldLady]

Religion does what no government can do. Teach morality and civility. Moral and civil individuals are largely governed by their own sense of right and wrong, and hence have little need for external government.

Religion is part of our culture, and culture is what teaches us right from wrong. I believe we can be "good" without signing on to an established faith system, although major religions all set forth the basics of a functioning, "good" society. Without those guidelines, whether they come from religion or from secular tradition, no society can prosper. There would be chaos and anarchy.
I agree with you that government cannot "teach" morality. But it never has. Government only enforces what society has already declared as right and wrong.

So is it your belief that if we never had religion we would still have the same "guidelines?"

Religion is too much a part of our culture, historically, to ever answer that question. Going forward, it is not necessary imo to rely on religion alone for moral imperatives.

 

[ding]

Religion does what no government can do. Teach morality and civility. Moral and civil individuals are largely governed by their own sense of right and wrong, and hence have little need for external government.

Religion is part of our culture, and culture is what teaches us right from wrong. I believe we can be "good" without signing on to an established faith system, although major religions all set forth the basics of a functioning, "good" society. Without those guidelines, whether they come from religion or from secular tradition, no society can prosper. There would be chaos and anarchy.
I agree with you that government cannot "teach" morality. But it never has. Government only enforces what society has already declared as right and wrong.

So is it your belief that if we never had religion we would still have the same "guidelines?"

Religion is too much a part of our culture, historically, to ever answer that question. Going forward, it is not necessary imo to rely on religion alone for moral imperatives.

uh huh. It takes two generations to forget. That's been our problem.

Do you know anything about Chinese history?

 

[ding]

Religion gave us the concept of subsidiarity.