Is the World a better for having religion?

Johnny-B-Goode

Ok- I'll take the plunge with this one. I'll avoid mention any particular religion, denomination, sect or whatever. I'll put forward a general question to reflect on. You are invited to respond...

Is the World a better for having religion?

Regards

Gordon

Jabba · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2002 5:08 pm Post subject:

For the record, I'm a non-believer. A high IQ and an Ordained Minister for a Grandmother will do that too you. Wink

I think the world is far better WITH religion.
Imagine how many people would go wacky if they believed they had nothing to look forward to after their death.
On the other hand. Look how many have gone wacky because they believe their God wanted them too.
But the people that respect themselves and others due to their religious beliefs far out number the wackos.
So again. Religion has made the world a better place.

Woody · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2002 5:21 pm Post subject:

Is the World a better for having religion?

Since the World can not define the word religion with one voice..Religion remain a "place" that is not in the world..or your sentence. Wink

Some people have it missing from their lives until they leave.
The rest are left to make it better...until there is no one left.

I think man is better for religion..it is a part of his understanding that he is not immortal and part of his quest to find out what comes next.
How he puts those two thoughts together..will not make the world better..
but it usually defines if he will make it worse.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_defn.htm

JackBenny · Sergeant Joined: Jul 12, 2002 Posts: 140 Location: USA

I also feel it's a better place with it. Even with all the evil done in it's name, it's hard for me to imagine what life would be like, in a world where no one thought that there would be any benefit to trying to do good.

For myself, I'm not a "true believer", nor am I a total disbeliever. I do however, plan to spend the rest of my life trying to answer the question; is there, or isn't there........

jmn1207 · Lieutenant Joined: Jun 07, 2002 Posts: 173 Location: USA

Johnny-B-Goode · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2002 9:24 pm Post subject:

Hi

I never quite know where I really stand regarding religion. I'm quite clear about organized religion- I have a difficulty in accepting dogma and precepts without the proof to support them. That doesn't mean I condemn religion- a lot of good has been done by religious-minded people so that seems to indicate that the world may be better for religion- perhaps it is a way for humankind to regulate thoughts and actions.

I often think that I believe in God but not the churches and organizations created in the name of God. I usually conclude that the mysteries of God will all be explained scientifically and I wonder if the rites and ceremonies satisfy the need for a form of self-discipline and a means to rationalize our lives.........

Regards

Gordon

Snauzer · Lieutenant Joined: Jun 09, 2002 Posts: 187 Location: USA

The answer is yes and no.

Even though a religion gives a person values and something to believe in this can be good or bad for himself or herself or society.

Everybody has some kind of religion, even you Jabba.

You may not go to a church or pray in a conventional since, but you have built your life around some kind of core value system that you believe in and this would be your religion, your beliefs.

I have a unique perspective on people who have called themselves atheist. I have seen too many times where so-called atheist would be calling out to some supreme being under severely stressful situations.

jaykaykay · Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2002 12:14 pm Post subject:

OK. In order to answer this question, wouldn't one have to know what you mean by religion? Religion can and does mean many things to many people, so a yes or no is impossible without knowing what you specifically meant when you asked. Yes, I know answering a question with a question isn't good, but in this case it is necessary, IMHO.

Johnny-B-Goode · Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2002 3:02 pm Post subject:

sixonetonoffun · Private Joined: Jun 04, 2002 Posts: 43 Location: USA

Is the World a better for having religion?
<cough>
Well grandma seemed to come though the reindeer incident ok.

Its a matter of principals I tell ya!

For me it comes down to having respect for others opinions.
Whether I share them or not.

I don't really care what your rights are.
Long as you stay off mine!

Empathy. I feel your pain.
Could quit whinin about it now?

I.Q. ? When did test scores have anything to do with religion?

Seriously this topic strikes close to home with me. Personally I do not believe in God, higher powers or light bulbs. Well, maybe light bulbs.

That said as a father I am under a tremendous amount of pressure to baptise my children. Family members close and distant politely remind me from time to time. Even offering to host a discreet ceremony if I am uncomfortable in front of a congregation.

No I don't feel religion is a joke. Nor do I feel compelled to follow the traditions of my family.

The world seems to survive inspite of us and our belief's.

Ugh well its off to the Whiskey's from around the world board now!

Ha actually I don't drink can I get a Coke?
Would you mistrust me if I do?

hpguru · Private Joined: Jul 18, 2002 Posts: 38 Location: blank

In early times in Japan, bamboo-and-paper lanterns were used with candles inside.
A blind man visiting a friend one night, was offered a lantern to carry home with him.

"I do not need a lantern," he said. "Darkness or light is all the same to me."

"I know you do not need a lantern to find your way," his friend replied,
"but if you don't have one, someone else may run into you. So you must take it."

The blind man started off with the lantern and before he had walked very far someone ran squarely into him.

"Look out where you are going!" he exclaimed to the stranger.
"Can you not see this lantern?"

"Your candle has burned out, brother," replied the stranger.

Skipdawg · Lieutenant Joined: Apr 16, 2002 Posts: 241 Location: USA

As I see it looking at recorded history to now that religon has a place with man kind and a control.

It has been used through the ages as a control tool for the masses. Thus in a way yes it is good.

But would we have progressed farther without this control. Would simple faith alone have been enough?

Religion like the word love can be discussed till one is blue. It has a multitude of definitions to various people. Wink

Snauzer · Lieutenant Joined: Jun 09, 2002 Posts: 187 Location: USA

And as I said in another post We now return to Computer Cops Crossfire.

I really enjoy reading and participating with other people who may have different opinions than myself.

When the character assassination starts the enjoyment is lost.

It is too bad that some individuals have to resort to these tactics.

jmn1207 · Lieutenant Joined: Jun 07, 2002 Posts: 173 Location: USA

Jamming · Colonel Premium Member Joined: Jun 22, 2002 Posts: 1874

Being that I am an instigator, I point the finger at

skipdawg.

Marines are always getting into fights. Rolling Eyes

Actually, I prefer to think of it as religion and faith, religion is what you do and faith is what you have. I am kind of down on my own heritage of organized religion at the moment, which I feel has strayed too far from its original strengths. However, my faith has never been stronger in that there is some higher power than man which exists.

One of my favorite quotes that embodies, faith comes from the show Babylon 5, when one of the characters talks about the Universe and Fairness.

"I use to think that the Universe should be fair and we get what we deserve, then I thought what if it was and we are? Now I take great comfort in the fact the Universe is unfair." Idea

Each one of us, regardless of religion, are on a journey of faith and we are not on the same path of that journey. Ultimately we are hopefully heading to the same place. Some stand at the side of the road and say, "this further and no farther"; some say, "what journey?"; some are wondering, "which path?"; some start down one path and then decide that another is better. Altogether, the journey is there for whoever decides to embark upon at some point in their life. I don't believe we make it there while living, but at some point we reach the crest of the divide between having faith and not. At that point the journey becomes easier and we can see on to the goal. In my religious background it is called "going on to perfection." Good Luck with your own journey Exclamation


	Home ˇ Topics ˇ Submit News ˇ Top 10 This entire site, Cops Themes, and Computer Cops are Š 2002 - 2004 Computer Cops, LLC. All rights reserved. You can syndicate our news using the file RSS 0.91, ultramode.txt, or RSS 1.0. Acceptable Use Policy. Use signifies your agreement. Engine Copyright Š 2002 by PHP-Nuke, GNU/GPL Licensed. ICRA Member. Paul Laudanski, Member of Computer Cops, LLC Server Load: 1099 pages served in previous 5 minutes. Page Rendered: 0.406 seconds.