Originally Posted by Pyramid* (Post 4080689)

There are millions upon millions of people who have faith in whatever type of religion they chose to follow, and it's a faith that brings them great peace, hope and comfort.

Not everyone who follows religion are fanatical extremists hell bent on fighting for their relgious beliefs.

so in answer to the question: yes, I do think it does good.

Originally Posted by Smithy (Post 4080678)

Yeah, it does

I'm not religious, but if it gives people hope/faith w/e, I don't see the harm

Originally Posted by Patrick (Post 4080701)

All it does is create conflict.

Originally Posted by Patrick (Post 4080701)

All it does is create conflict.

Originally Posted by Patrick (Post 4080701)

All it does is create conflict.

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet (Post 4080800)

Religion, by its nature, demands that there is NO room for debate

right?

Originally Posted by Pyramid* (Post 4080811)

Wrong.

Originally Posted by thebeast (Post 4080818)

It's fine. You can believe in whatever you want. If it gets you through something then it's a good thing. However religion is your own individual thing, what you, yourself believes in. I don't agree with parents or whoever brainwashing their sprogs, people telling other people who and what to believe in.

People who are very strong with their religion and don't agree with someone else's religion just need to "agree to disagree" unless they can have an acceptable adult discussion on the matter.

Originally Posted by Stu (Post 4080840)

It's that old debate about being at peace versus being realistic. Priests and devouts are more than ready to pen Sunday paper columns about how atheists fail to see that religion brings people great peace, comfort and something to believe in but really ... is religion the only thing that can do that? Get another hobby. The world is full of plenty of stuff to do, plenty of great minds and plenty of great, comforting things.

Nobody believes in religion soley as a form of therapy. Nobody knows The Bible is a load of daft fantasy but believes it anyway for the 'comfort'. At least I don't know anybody like that. They are all willingly sustaining a lie and believing in something that is a load of B.S. In my mind that's not a positive. And it's certainly not a positive to delude yourself and deprive yourself of information about the world so you can preserve your nice, comftorable lie.

Again I'm sounding like a mean old atheist, as I tend to do in these threads, even though I think atheism is a similarly bizarre leap of faith. It's not the search for a higher concoious per say that I am against. Search all you want and take comfort in the knowledge that you think some cosmic force of peace exists ... just don't claim to have the guys autobiography.

I guess the point is do those people need religion to bring them peace and comfort? Of course not. They believe in it either through blisfull ignorance or family upbringing. Plenty of other pursuits could bring them the same peace and comfort.

Originally Posted by Pyramid* (Post 4080848)

I agree with you on your points. Religion is/can be a very individual thing and very much open to individual interpretation. Some do have very strong religious beliefs but at the core of any religion, is peace and harmony - and I'm with you on your comment about those who have very strong belief in their chosen religion should accept that their strength of devotion to their specific religion is precisely that, it is theirs, that is their choice - and other have the right to make their own alternative choices.

Originally Posted by angus58 (Post 4080900)

The true bigots are those that don't allow others to believe in whatever the hell they want to believe in, provided it hurts no-one else. Those that mock and jeer at others' beliefs are just bolstering up their own pathetic superiority complex and belief system, for the most part not based on any tangible or definitive proof or evidence. If a deeply held faith gives someone comfort, meaning and structure to their lives what the hell does it have to do with anyone else?

I have no problem with any religion, if someone wants to worship an invisible deity(ies) that is their choice. What I do have a problem with is those that hi-jack a religion to further their own agendas.

The answer to the OP's original question is YES religion is overall a force for good in the world since it can ennoble the human spirit and motivate people in positive and inspirational ways. The fact that a minority of fanatics selectively interpret religious doctrine to pursue their own ideologies should not detract from that simple truth. IMO The problems in this world do not emanate from religion but from politics and the pursuit of power.

Originally Posted by Stu (Post 4080915)

My one word answer to Angus's post is 'Scientology'.

Seriously though ... nobody is trying to stop people from worshipping. I just think it's silly and you should find a way of lighting the aul spirit that doesn't involve the wilful abandonment of reason.

That's my belief. And it makes me happy and comftorable etc.

Originally Posted by Zippy (Post 4082114)

Religion has without doubt been incredibly damaging to the human race. It's at the root of millions of deaths and certainly the cause of many many prejudices and narrow minded, judgemental opinions.

That said, it's unavoidable. I think human beings have always had an instinctive need to look to a higher force. Animals don't but we humans just think to damn much. Not me, Ive never felt any need for religion.

But to answer the question; I'm sure religion is very helpful to people in times of bereavement. Or in helping people come to terms with their own mortality even. Used wisely I can see that it could be very comforting in certain situations. I guess it depends on how you apply the bibles teachings to your life. You can pretty much pick and choose which bits you choose to live by and which bits you ignore. Thats more or less what religious people do anyways.

Originally Posted by ~Kerry~ (Post 4083418)

Mixed feelings. If people find comfort from it - great. If people think they should blow up countries for it - No

Originally Posted by Shasown (Post 4083420)

So, oil is the god of the USA?

Originally Posted by ~Kerry~ (Post 4083425)

Not up for a deep debate Terry. I was just stating what I thought

Originally Posted by Shasown (Post 4083378)

Whilst religion has been cited as the root cause for a lot of strife and wars, there arent many religions that advocate conversion through superior firepower.

It could also be argued society wouldnt be as advanced or as civilised as it is today without religion. Most charity organisation like the Red Cross/Red Crescent, Oxfam, Salvation Army etc (generally the longer running humanitarian charities) were started off by advocates of various religions.

Originally Posted by InOne (Post 4082762)

Religion gives the poor hope. That is about it.

Originally Posted by Shasown (Post 4083378)

It could also be argued society wouldnt be as advanced or as civilised as it is today without religion. Most charity organisation like the Red Cross/Red Crescent, Oxfam, Salvation Army etc (generally the longer running humanitarian charities) were started off by advocates of various religions.

Originally Posted by Zippy (Post 4083740)

I'm pretty sure you do not need to be of any religious persuasion to want to reach out and help others. So big charities would have been formed regardless. The ones you mention have just been around longer probably. But charity is certainly not owned by religion.

Wanting to help those in desperate need is a just basic human instinct I would think....and hope. Im not giving religion that one!

I haven't researched the subject but I suspect the origins of many religions is about power and control. Forcing society to behave a certain way and then outcasting those who do not conform. Thats still pretty much how it works today.

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet (Post 4083757)

Would Ireland be a better place without christianity?

Originally Posted by Zippy (Post 4083740)

I'm pretty sure you do not need to be of any religious persuasion to want to reach out and help others. So big charities would have been formed regardless. The ones you mention have just been around longer probably. But charity is certainly not owned by religion.

Wanting to help those in desperate need is a just basic human instinct I would think....and hope. Im not giving religion that one!

I haven't researched the subject but I suspect the origins of many religions is about power and control. Forcing society to behave a certain way and then outcasting those who do not conform. Thats still pretty much how it works today.