Is religion hampering the progress of humanity?

by happysunshine 44 Replies latest jw friends

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  DanTheMan

  I think that exjw's are "ahead of the curve" religiously speaking. We have realized the folly of looking to an organization of fallible men to provide us with an infallible, all-encompassing, explain-everything religious doctrine.

  Where I live, churches are a dime-a-dozen. I have especially noticed an increase of large, evangelical, non-denominational churches. I think that many of these churches are every bit as cultish as JW, and I believe that soon many people in these churches will also start becoming disillusioned (I know some already have), for many of the same reasons JW's become disillusioned. What I mean by this is, look at the popularity of that "Left Behind" series of books (they are most popular among evangelicals). The people in those churches are foaming at the mouth about the end of the world and judgement day every bit as much as JW's are. When the "big end" doesn't come, I think it will be the end of their religious fantasy, hopefully they like us can survive the death of their illusion.

  I don't think all religion is bad, but a lot of it is. Too much religion is based on unprovable, speculative, legalistic, my-God-is-the-only-true-god-and-you-all-are-gonna-burn doctrines. I think that many religious groups appeal to people's ego and narcissism, and not to their more noble human qualities. There is a lot of Catholicism slamming on this board, but I think that Catholicism in general doesn't appeal to or create this sort of mentality.

  It will be interesting to see where the world is at circa 2100. A blighted, post-apocalyptice landscape a la "Mad Max"? Or will people be able to dump their fantasies and narcissism and make this world livable? mmm...unfortunately I'm not very hopeful.
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  JT

  One of the biggest problems I see with religion, especially in the twenty-first century, is that it takes a system of beliefs and elevates it to a station of absolute truth and infallibility, to be reverenced and without question. Once an individual embraces any system of beliefs as such, they will all too often sacrifice logic and common sense upon it's alter. They no longer seek truth, they seek support for and validation of their religion. In that pursuit, real truths are distorted and information is manipulated to support and conform to their religion. I believe that, indeed, does hamper the progress of humanity. Any philosophy which restrains clear and free thought and objectivity is certainly outdated, in my opinion.

  However, it is also my opinion that not every system of beliefs held in reverence is, what we commonly think of as, a religion. Many individuals who have embraced such theories as evolution or "the big bang", are just as closed-minded as any JW or Southern Baptist erver thought about being. Such interpretaions of the history of life on this earth can sometimes be just as blindly dogmatic as the ravings of a militant Islamic. Regardless of whether it relates to religion, science, the history of man or whatever, humanity needs an open mind and a willingness to recognize and correct error.

  But, that's just me!

  Whoever this guy is that posted this post has summed up the issue in a nutshell if i have ever seen someone just break it down very nicely-

  i fully agree with you because by DEFAULT a belief system must demand acceptance THAT IT IS THE ONY TRUTH

  for if not-- then it is no more better than the rest sorta like a Ford dealer telling you that Chevys are just as good Duhhhhhhh

  jews christians and muslium will never concede that the other is just as good as theirs unless they just want to be Politicaly Corect
• 

  onacruse

  Julian Huxley wrote (Religion Without Revelation):

  "Religion must choose. It may continue to exert power in its present general form, but as an 'opium of the mind;' or it may once again come to be in the forefront of civilisation...the next great step which religious thought must take, and, if the voice of history is not a cheating voice, one day will take, is the liberation of the idea of God from the shackles of personality which have been riveted on it by man's fear, ignorance, servility, and self-conceit."

  In and of itself, religion need not be a hindrance to human evolution, and may very well be an innate extension of our collective psyche. If so, then eliminating religion would only be a symptomatic effort.

  It's MANKIND that needs to change, from the inside.

  Craig
• 

  DanTheMan

  That was a most excellent quote Craig, thank you for sharing.

  "...the next great step which religious thought must take, and, if the voice of history is not a cheating voice, one day will take, is the liberation of the idea of God from the shackles of personality which have been riveted on it by man's fear, ignorance, servility, and self-conceit."

  I don't know if this will happen in my lifetime, but I agree that this must happen.
• 

  Yerusalyim

  Logical,

  You said,

  get rid of religion and get rid of a vast majority of evil.

  You mean the evil of Godless men like Stalin, Pol Pot, Ho Chi Men, Hitler? These men are prime examples of what we face with the absence of Religion.
• 

  donkey

  Religion is a collective insanity. -- Mikhail Bakunin
• 

  Reborn2002

  Is religion hampering the progress of humanity? Without question.

  In the name of religion mankind has enslaved, murdered, and tortured his fellow man.

  Even today religion is the centerpiece of propaganda used to wage wars and maintain control over billions of people and their lives. For example, just yesterday, when apologizing to the Kuwaiti people for his invasion of their country in 1990, Saddam Hussein attempted to use religion to incite other Arab people to his cause. I have posted an article taken from Yahoo which shows the rhetoric used containing religion to encourage hatred and bloodshed. The Islam religion is but one of many which encourages an ongoing war against those who do not believe the same religious ideals as you (a Muslim) does. This ongoing struggle is defined as "jihad against the Infidels"

  http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=540&ncid=736&e=10&u=/ap/20021207/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_saddam

  "Doesn't any Iraqi or Kuwaiti have the right to say ... `why don't the believers, loyalists and holy warriors get together with their counterparts in Iraq under the tent of their creator instead of the tent of London, Washington and the Zionist entity' ...," Saddam said.

  So there you have it. Another example of government mixed with religion to control and manipulate the masses.

  Or you could sit and discuss the religious differences of Jews and Muslims as the Palestinians and Israelis continue to slaughter one another over "holy land."

  or you could go back in history and discuss the Holy Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, even enslavery of the Africans (who were deemed savages who needed saving and conversion to Christianity) etc.

  Or right here in America, why not bring up the "moral" Bush Administration mixing Dumb A$$ Dubya's conservative Christian beliefs with his power to wield as the nation's chief executive to stagnate the progress of science with stem cell research?

  The list goes on and on.

  Religion is a snare and a racket, and harmful to the cause of humanity. Period.
• 

  Yerusalyim

  Reborn,

  Stalin, Ho Chi Min, Mao, Hitler, they didn't act in the name of religion.

  You seem to forget the millions and millions that are fed clothed and housed every year do to religious people.
• 

  Reborn2002

  Yeru-

  I did not say that ALL heinous acts were committed in the name of religion.

  I was simply cited examples in which religion HAS been used in a harmful manner.

  I know you are a devout Catholic, so needless to say you will attempt to find a way to defend your particular religion. (but 1 belief system of thousands)

  Why not ask your particular God (or as a Catholic is it 3 in the Trinity? forgive me if I forget) why he uses dirty old men appointed to wear the collar and represent Him to make little altar boys suck their cocks?

  Thought so.

  Your mentioning of those fed and clothed by religious organizations is a side issue. Charity foundations having NOTHING to do with religion do the same thing. Eliminate religion and those charity foundations would still function. Personally, I think all the charity done by religions is for good PR. They want people to believe they are good so they can garner more membership. I still stand by my belief that religion is harmful. PERIOD.

  Religion is for feeble-minded individuals who need something to believe in and a group to belong to so that they do not feel isolated or purposeless in life. Religion conveniently provides all the answers (even without substantial evidence, but FAITH in things unseen) so they flock to it to fill their void.

  You are entitled to your belief system, as I am to mine. I am an atheist. F#@k God and the fairy tale book he was invented in.

  Edited by - Reborn2002 on 8 December 2002 13:25:53
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  Yerusalyim

  Reborn,

  God doesn't use child molesters, Satan does.

  All you who would do away with religion have ignored the good it has done, yet refuse to view the absolute FACT that in societies that have tried to abolish religion, the horrors commited make the worst chapter of Christianity look mild.