What does religion do to us?

1. 78

   Beata Stasakposted 12 years ago

   What does religion do to us?
   
   You can't think about the past and ignore religion, it was such a fundamental, mind shaping, driving force for pre-modern societies. I am very interested in what religion does to us, today...its capacity to create love and empathy or hatred and violence. Is religion still relevant today?

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2. 55

   PETER LUMETTAposted 12 years ago

   Organised religion today is an oxymoron. It is neither organised nor is it reigious. I think religion has run its course and serves now only to incite unrest and hatred. Everyone knows that more wars have been started in the name of god and more people tortured and killed in his name than for any other reason. When we cowered in caves and feared the unknown religion was a comfort and a way to overcome the uncontrollable, drought, fire, pestilence. But we should know better by now and leave the superstition in the dark ages. The only "religion" is a non religion, Bhuddism fits the bill since it is self realization not dependant on a god or super entity. Ergo religion is irrelevant.

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3. 60

   peterxdunnposted 12 years ago

   It does today what it has always done. It gets vast swathes of people 'singing from the same hymnbook'. To put this another way: it regiments the minds of men. By controlling what is, and isn't, permissible for a religion's adherents to think it controls their thoughts and actions. By inculcating: in its followers, a comic book conception of evil - it disguises what true evil is and who the truly evil are.
   
   For further information see PETER LUMETTA's answer.

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4. 60

   nancymeposted 12 years ago

   Religion helps us connect to our inner soul. It helps understand the myriad ways of life.

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5. 61

   nightwork4posted 12 years ago

   it gives some people a way to get by in life. for most though, it wastes their time by putting them in a position where common sense is overtaken by a beliefs that is based on a myth. these folks will spend hours a day praying, worshipping and trying to convince others to follow their lead.

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6. 60

   Matt in Jaxposted 12 years ago

   Religion is still very relevant today. Not near as much as what it used to be, but it still sponsors the majority of wars. However, it also brings people together in ways that seem to conquer the terrible things around them. It's a uniter and a divider.

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7. 68

   ptosisposted 12 years ago

   make people feel better about themselves - it's comforting to think there is purpose and not simply deterministic chaos.

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8. 61

   Apostle Jackposted 12 years ago

   It give us a chance to choose another way except that of our own concepts. Not that one has to agree with what is presented,but that it is more to be considered.

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9. 61

   jstelletelloposted 12 years ago

   Religions attempt to explain how everything began and the reason we exist. The is one answer out there that is correct, all others are false. Who's to say who is right, I know what is right for me and that is why I am a Christian. I think this path is right for everyone but their are many misconstrued beliefs that are coupled with Christianity. Try to be like Jesus and do what he said, I can think of no better example. And yes he is real, it has been proven by historians the world over.

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10. 60

    akuiglaposted 12 years ago

    If you equal religion with belief in God,than my personal opinion is that no one who belief in God is alone,comfort and hope for better life is underlying force that helps in everyday life.
    As a doctor I have seen people who dont believe in God in much more serious problems than believers.
    On the other hand,if you describe religion as earthy creations of people,as I do,than religion is deceiving,uses people for sex,money and other things of low moral.

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11. 0

    AMBASSADOR BUTLERposted 12 years ago

    GOD is no myth. You will find that this is true when you die and crossover to the other side of death. The Bible says " The fool in his heart say there is no GOD. " Are you the fool who say this from the heart? I hope not. Religion is just a stepping stone to come to know that GOD is real. Do not be the fool that die and crossover to the other side of death and see that GOD is real. It is your decision and you can blame only yourself for proclaiming that GOD is a myth when you die and crossover to the other side of death.

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12. 60

    The Power Gliderposted 12 years ago

    It seems as if there are two different questions being asked here. In answer to the first question, I'd pose another question. What does a car do to us?  Think about it for a moment.  Doesn't it depend on the context?  Did those who invent or develop the car intend for it to be stood upon to climb over a fence, or to be used as an implement of destruction against life and property?  Or was the true purpose and intent of it for safe and convenient transportation?
    It's the same thing here. There are in the world misuses and abuses of religion to be sure. People are wounded by anger and bias in the 'name' of religion every day.  Sadly, those are often the most public examples of religion's effects.  God is real and that is not his intent.  'Religion' is a way and means that we can seek him and come closer to him by learning and living truths.
    To the second question posed, "Is religion still relevant today?" I answer a resounding Yes!  As long as we are here, we will seek answers, whether through the religion of Science, or Christianity, or Buddhism.

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13. 0

    Arlene V. Pomaposted 12 years ago

    Depending on your beliefs, religion should bring joy and guidelines to lead a good life.  Religion should not make you feel bad or guilty.  It's not about inflicting pain on others.

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14. 77

    ii3rittlesposted 12 years ago

    A "religion" is based on morals and values. A set way of life, for better or worse. The one thing that religion is missing... Is heart. I'm not living a life based on good deeds, morals or values because I read it in some book... I'm living life, the way I feel is right and the way God shows me to live. The bible, is a very VERY important tool to teach us all about life... But it's just that... "Life". You have to listen to God and your own heart and not follow in cults or religion. True faith does not come from religion, it comes from your heart.

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15. 69

    onegoodwomanposted 12 years ago

    Yes, I can!
    
    
    I can ponder on Rome, Greece, the Civil War, the Native American Indians, the Aztecs, Africa,and the lost city of Atlantis.........without EVER wondering about their " religion ".
    
    Did it play a part?  Sure..........so did societal customs, weapons of war, food supplies, fresh water, many, many, diseases........and a host of other things.
    
    YOU are being unfair, to think that you might lay all the blame of the ills of  society at the feet of "religion".
    
    
    I eat, I work, I seek medical advice, I seek the advice of teachers, instructors,  internet gurus, computer techs,   nurses, health practioners,  other parents, Many, many other cooks,, healers, social service workers, administrators, bookeepers, beekeepers, the poultry commission, the beef counsel, the pork committee, accountants, dieticians, salesmen, experts in various fields.
    
    All decisions can not be laid at the feet of my Pastor!  He has nothing to do with what lawn mower that I purchase.
    
    "religion" is the organization of shared beliefs.......why discard it?  Every substainable group known today, is " organized". 
    
    
    Wouldn't it serve us all better, if you simply said...........
    
    'I am bitter towards "religion",' rather than to blame every single thing on religion?
    
    
    ( by the way, many faithful, are turned off by that very word)...........but, I have said enough!

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16. 60

    cheerfulnutsposted 12 years ago

    Religion affects every aspect of our lives: marriage (Muslims marry Muslims), what we eat (Muslims and some Buddhilsts do not eat meat), lifestyle (Christians go to church every Sunday), work (Christian countries do not have work during the Christmas holidays), etc. Other than these things, to most people, religion gives them HOPE.

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17. 67

    LeisureLifeposted 12 years ago

    http://hubpages.com/hub/Religious-Myth- … -the-World

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18. 60

    ReneeDC1979posted 11 years ago

    I would say the question is what have we done to religion -religion identifies our beliefs - our faith- and helps us maintain certain practices - unfortunately, we have gotten out of following alot of practices for whatever reason -that is evident with all of the worship leaders in the news who have allowed their sinful nature take over and abuse children, etc. - now homosexuality is acceptable in the church - i'm not bashing anyone, just saying that there is a place for everything- God love's everyone and so should we, but just as a parent love's you does not mean they accept everything you do.  We need to get back to reading the Bible, understanding what it says, get to know God on a deeper level and walk like Jesus!

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