Now, most people would argue that religion is beneficial to society, and this would make sense from a hypothetical standpoint. After all, religion teaches morals and ethics, which are necessary for a cohesive society. If you look at the effects of religion on a singular, anecdotal level, of course it helps those dealing with grief, addiction, and many other problems with the human existence. It gives people a sense of community, of acceptance. Some therapy groups, such as AA, are based on religious concepts, and those are known to help addicts. Religion supports helping your community and others, which is very beneficial. Religious charities and mission trips help numerous people.
However, despite all of this, when you examine the other ways that religion affects the country, there are more negative effects than good when looking at the effects of religion on a broad scale.
Abstinence-only sex education, a product of the religious right, might be a factor of unusually high rates of teen pregnancy, abortions, and STDs in America. After all, studies have been done that show that “teens who received comprehensive sex education were 60 percent less likely to report becoming pregnant or impregnating someone than those who received no sex education. The likelihood of pregnancy was 30 percent lower among those who had abstinence-only education compared to those who received no sex education.” Obviously, the high-and-mighty abstinence only sex education is failing at what it set out to do.
The religious teachings affect young minds not just in matters of sex. Religious teachings set up a foundation of blind-following. Children are taught that God, the most powerful leader of their lives, is not to be questioned. Later in life, political leaders, especially those who appeal to the Christian base in this country by continuously spouting religious rhetoric, can manipulate the people more easily. They make themselves out to be moral, Christian members of society so that the public will trust them and, once again, blindly follow. This adds to corruption in the government.
Religion also blocks progress. Those opposed to changes such as gay marriage and stem cell research often pull out the Bible as a reference tool, invalid as it is, to support their claims that such progress is “evil” and “against God’s will.”
On a global level, religion isolates us from other countries. As shown in the attacks of 9/11, it breeds animosity towards us due to our theism.
Religion, essentially, divides us, and this, I think, is worst of all. As Jonathan Swift said, "We have enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another." As a country, we need to work together for the betterment of all people. However, this cannot be done when we are torn apart by beliefs that, quite honestly, should not matter outside of a person’s private home.
Religion has undeniably caused many wars and death simply because people disagree about which religion is better or right. Misunderstandings due to religion lead to violence on a daily basis. Indeed, Blaise Pascal was right when he said that “men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.” Again, I am not saying that Christianity itself is wrong. I am saying that in this world, it has had an adverse effect. Instead of enforcing acceptance, it divides us. Instead of breeding love, it promotes hate.
Additionally, let me remind you that we do not need religion for society to run successfully. Religion is not the only way that morals are taught and enforced, and this is shown in thriving secular countries. "A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." --Albert Einstein
So, if religion is ultimately a negative force, I will leave with the words of James Baldwin: "If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of Him."
As usual, I close this blog with a request for opinions in the responses. I’m always happy to look at the alternative side of the argument, so please post your opinions below.
The Center for the Advancement of Health. "Comprehensive Sex Education Might Reduce Teen Pregnancies, Study Suggests." ScienceDaily 20 March 2008. 11 November 2009
It's important to point out that, while religious texts may (in part) promote peace and ethical behavior, what matters is reality. So many religious people are so rooted in make-believe that they think idealism matters more than what actually happens. To make my point, consider the following:
ReplyDeleteWould 9/11 have happened without religion? What about the Spanish Inquisition? The Crusades?
Now, try and think of a radical atheist group that did something like that.
Saying that you need religion to know and have morality is like telling someone that they can't play music unless they can read it. I can't really argue that religion or the image of a god is a bad thing if it's the only thing that keeps some people from going off the wall and killing themselves or if it saves them from drug abuse or whatever...I personally have come to believe that the feeling of hope to go on is in my belief that life DOES, without fail, always go on one way or another. That isn't always enough for people, though. I don't really know what I'm arguing against, I just see a big problem and that is the whole way religion is gone about and taught. I was actually kinda taught to believe what I believe, but I learned that from the songs I started listening to on my own.
ReplyDeletelove,
Kyle
Though I believe religion isn't necessary to a society, I still see beneficial effects. Perhaps you are looking at the wrong religion? For instance, I look at the Native Americans, who follow religion just the same as any other culture. Disregarding those cultures who sacrificed one another for the sake of religion, I've never heard of a fight between two tribes fighting for a religious sake and each culture respected life, took only what they needed, and created a general peace - at the least, within the tribe. Perhaps, also, Buddhism is another example - along with many others, I'm sure.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it is the difference in the way the religions are viewed and followed by the people of a society, and I think this is what the matter at hand boils down to. Sure, (from what I know) Native American religions - to stick with my example - haven't the strict rules or commandments of Christianity, and maybe polytheism vs. monotheism create a different result. I really think, though, the way people view God create the results that are disastrous to a society. If people see God as a being with the human characteristics that flaw humans, people are bound to be disappointed. They see God as a human to ask for a favor in exchange for a little more time at the church or something of the like, and I don't think God works like this, just as the rules of Nature don't apply to it. If we see God as a being - all good and within all of us, as an essence, from which everything is formed; more a power - as the Native Americans did, followers become dependent on something that can't be known but must be discovered in the root of people, and science, and wisdom, and art. And by this, a society can flourish. People become insane and depressed when they can't understand why "THEIR God can't/won't help them in THEIR time of need," and I think we've chained ourselves to this theory by a system of money. In Nature - handcrafted by God, by a believer's standpoint - a bear is provided with what it needs to live, and in exchange, it gives back by taking a shit and dying and decomposing; but, there is no sense of exchange, because there need not be. When something goes wrong, the bear does not question why Nature has done such a thing to it because Nature did not throw the bear away for the sake of anger or jealousy because the bear did something wrong, but because it was a way of life. This is the same thing with God. We become maniacs when we expect something to go well in exchange for what've we done 'right' by our commandments. And so we become murdering and thieving and ignorant maniacs, when we view this God, this divine and universal good as a human.
Sure, religion has caused a lot of problems because of the people that've made it, but I think that without it, our societies would be left without the Thoreaus, Swifts, Pascals and Einsteins. There would be no substance and no romanticism, I believe. Sure, religion creates blind followings (and I'm a very strong believer in that) but so do the latest trends in TV, music, and fashion. Sure, religion has blocked progress, but so do the moralities of the people and reason. Sure, religion creates violence and radicalism, but I base that only on the people of the religion. And there's our main problem, ironically enough: people.
For me, I'd much rather attempt to change people's mind about God then get rid of Him all together. I'd like to keep my limbs. Okay, I've written quite a bit (I'm sorry), and though I had more to plan to write down, I'm having a hard time thinking and writing this late at night. I will definitely respond to those I feel I can respond to though.
-Alex
As I read the responses to this blog, I realized one thing - you haven't had anyone oppose your arguments. So, seeing as I know you love to hear me argue a point, I figured I'd give my opinion. Don't take anything personally.
ReplyDeleteSo, for my side of things. Christianity, the whole religion you focues on, has many benefits that you are not including. I also find that 30 percent less likely to become pregnant is a good thing, and if you fact that with 60 percent less likely to tell someone, it seems there will be less pregnancies so the 60 percent not telling would be less than the number of actual pregnancies that tell. If you understand that, good job, because I just reread it and it probably will only make sense to me.
Next, I am one of those "blind" followers. However, I do not think I am blind to humanity. I believe it is called faith which is biblically referred to as: being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. I might not have quoted that exactly, but you get the point. I am positive that the Bible actually commands believers to not blindly follow the teachings of humans rather than of God, and if it is not of the word, then it is not of God. So, if Christians would "blindly" follow a godly man in a high position, then they actually wouldn't be doing it blindly because they would have the Word to reference for factuality.
Next, you argue that religion disables progress and breed animosity. This "progress" is viewed as progress by secular people, but to the Christian world it is not progress. There cannot be made a valid point against or for the argument because it depends on what group of people you are. For Christians, it is a step back, AWAY from God's standards, which is not progress but evil. To the world it is progress because it can do more to make a person feel better or have more, which is not the ultimate goal in Christianity. Any religion breeds animosity, however secular lifestyles do the same. Is not greed and money of a secular lifestyle? Doesn't the Bible condemn those that ruthlessly pursue it. However, it causes many wars, and it definitely is not tied to Christianity.
To say it divides is CRAZY! Every Sunday morning I have about 600 people attend the church I attend and all gather for one reason. All UNITE for one cause. Count the millions of others around the world that do the same thing, and I would call it choesion. I've helped many people do things I do not want to do because of the hope and unity brought forth through Christianity. God wants a united church. So why would his people separate it? Every culture is diverse. Arguing that religion separates people is like saying ethnicities separate people, and we in America know that cannot happen because "all men are created equal."
That's just what I think.
Religion divides those who are of different religions. Religion (or Christianity) call those who believe to create peace and unity within and without a religion - and perhaps it can be argued that it creates unity throughout Christianity, but I think it'd be a weak and invalid point. Preaching zealously that one group of people (whether it be of race, religion, gender, or sexual preference) is to have their place reserved in an afterlife reserved for that of a nation's rapists and murderers, does, in fact, create division between the two said groups. You are absolutely right that God wants a united church, but look at all the animosity that breeds from that one man who - in fervor - thinks he knows what he's talking about and spews it out in order to alienate that one group.
ReplyDeleteWe as Americans should know this secondhand by our history in which, though America's Declaration of Independence states "all men are created equal", different ethnicities did and still separate people.
I agree with the statement that religion is detrimental to society as a whole. I started out really liking religion when i was younger, and i still believe in God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. However i think that religion id terrible for society as a whole ( this will now be refered to as society so i have to write less). Although i also agree with Alex as to the idea that sometimes its the people that make up that sect as the problem. Othertimes however i think it is the stuff that people look at as there reference for how society should run as the problem. BTW i have never read the whole Bible but i know ALOT about it from research, documentaries and shows about stuff in the Bible, i do go to church i just dont like to. For example, the old testiment in the bible, it states that the jews should be allowed to take israel from the people already there casue God says so. Well i think we used that same excuse to take the land from th NATIVE-Americans with manifest destiny. but wait christians would do something like that would they, they would take land from people cause their god said they could. Well they did. Oh and the Jews who took the promised land, they massacred entire cities. Jericko from bible school story fame, they killed everyone there. But hey "god" said they should. David, from David and Goliath, he grew up and crucified like 7 kids. You know why, so he could be king. This bible Hero is not a good person. But the bible teaches us morals, yeah. you know what else david did? He was sleeping with a married woman and got her pregnant, so he called for the soldier who she was married to to come home to make it look like his baby. well he didnt want to leave his buddies so out of ideas, david rides down and has the guy put in the most dangerous position which he gets killed in. My point is people say the Muslim Bible(i dont know how to spell it but i think people get the idea) is bloody and a book full of evil.
ReplyDeleteAnother story that the "christians" use as a proof that homo-sexuals are against god is the one about Sodom and Gamora. In the story angels come to save the one good man and his family from the destruction of the cities. He takes the angels in because the crowd that has formed wants to rape the angels. Well they tell him whats going down so he tries to bargain with god and comes to the deal that if he finds another good person in the city the city will not be destroyed.So inorder to find this person he offers his daughters for the crowd to rape. Yeah thats a great message to send to people. You beter not be gay but if your a good person you will just use your daughters as bait fo a rape-hungry crowd. Well to continue the story the good man and his family go to the mountains to escape the destruction of the city(it seems as if everone wanted to rape the mans daughters). so the cities are destroyed and the man and his daughters are in a cave. well in order to repopulate the earth as the mans daughters think god wants they drug there father and have sex with him. Now my question is: if homo-sexuality is against natural design as the "christians" say it is does that also mean that insest is okay cause thats in the bible, it happens to the good guy from the town of homo-sexuals. Is this hypocrisy? It is also funny that people who according to the bible are in the need of the most moral help(homosexuals, prostitutes, women who get abortions) are turned away from 99% of churches expecially those in my area which happens to be the area where Login gets his 600 some church buddies to come from.
Speeking of abortion. I am totally against abortion, i think there are other options even in the case of rape, insest might be the only case where i think it would be okay. However, lets say we outlaw abortion except in cases of insest, when a girl gets pregnant before she is married(which getting pregnant happens by will of god according to most christians) and she goes to have an abortion even though it is illegal for fear of the wrath of her religious peers and she gets some guy to do it in an alley with a coathanger where she could easily get killed or raped along with the death of the child, is that better than having her go to a doctor? And if you ever do use the natural design argument to bash gays, remember it is a proven fact that after pueberty you can start to reproduce, it is part of this natural design, then whats the problem with having sex as soon as you can cause natural design says your ready. This is yet another hypocrasy of religion.Well i have written enough for today. I will be back but i didnt want to bore you with to much to read at one time.
ReplyDelete