Is religion a good thing?

I have never really seen religion as a good thing. All I have ever really seen has been the negative. I was a Catholic, and I saw the corruption that went on in the church, and I just had to escort myself out. Some of the things that the church taught me were fine, but a lot of it I never agreed with, and that had people up and arms. I never felt like I belonged in any religion, and I never felt like religion was for me. I just did not believe in what everyone else believed in. To this very day, my views on life and society are questionable to people. I believe in a higher power, but I do not believe that it can or should be named. I believe that we live by the rules of nature and the rules of humanity. I believe that science prove just about everything. I think that by believing in some of the things that most of us have been believing in, that we have done more harm to ourselves and out planet, rather than good. I believe that humanity is good and corruptable, but it is up to us to decide on how we ultimately go about living our lives. I do not believe that any religion has all of the answers, and anyone that says that your religion does, I will find a flaw in it somewhere. All religions have some sort of flaws. Religions are created by people, and people are never perfect. Those who claim to see "God", I have a lot of questions for you starting with "what did 'God' look like?" and "what was happening in your life when you saw 'God'"? I can grant you that most of the people that claim to see "God" did not actually see "God".

Religion itself can and generally IS a very good thing, with many positive points to it etc HOWEVER when put in the hands of negative, arrogant, fearful (fear of difference I mean) ppl who will do whatever it takes to keep themselves safe in a bubble of denial and narrowmindedness, THEN religion seems to take a turn for the worse..Its not the religion though that is bad, its the idiots and bad apples that make it SEEM bad..

I think people should believe more in their own self, listen to their heart and inner voice, I hate to see people putting so much faith in the decisions of ordinary people who say they are doing gods work, they are just ordinary people who feel pain and go to the toilet like everyone else, I am not a religious person but i do call myself spiritual, I walk past churches and see their closed doors and think if they are doing Gods work why are their doors closed when their are cold hungry people in the streets...plus the fact every religion has their own book, there can only be one original book and not one of them I feel would condone killing as so many of them do...I say believe in your own thoughts...

I am an Indian and in India, people in general blame religion for all the disharmony. That's really bad. What has religion done? Its the people following different religions that have to open their eyes and follow what their religion tells them. All religions teach tolerance and respect. Religion is very personal and should be left alone. Live and let live should be the motto.

I totally agree. A person's morals cannot be taught to them in a book. A person gets his morals and beliefs from interactions with other people. Don't take this to offense, but I personally think praying doesn't do anything. If a person truly believes in his God, then why is he questioning his own God by praying (i.e by asking for stuff, or to succeed in some way)? If failing is part of God's plan, then who are you to pray and question him? A free-thinking person would not have anyone to blame or to ask for help, other than the people around him. They are more down to earth people who see things as they really are. Their values are instilled into them by other people and by themselves. They can believe anything they want - atheism is NOT a religion. Some believe in evolution, others do not (do not confuse that ALL atheists believe in the same things); some believe in an afterlife, others don't. I personally think religion is used mainly as a way to ensure good behavior amongst the population, and as a means of controlling the public. Sometimes I see certain events held by churches and I grow afraid, because there's a group that's easily swayed and controlled. Some people think that their religion is different from others, by telling people that their religion is better than others because of X, Y and Z, and so on. But to me, it doesn't really matter. They think it matters, but it doesn't. I don't want to hear how they think that the Trinity doesn't exist (Jehova's Witness), etc. It's all the same to me, you believing in something that I don't. Religion can't always be good though, as evidenced by the dark ages. Just go look it up and you'll see how religion has impeded the efforts of man in the area of sciences. Witch-burnings were common - killing of innocent women who appeared to practise magic. Thankfully, we don't see that in today's society. Once again, I hope you won't be offended. These are my own beliefs and you have your own.

Well just as you said my friend, religion can be a good thing or a bed thing. It really all depends on the people, if to be accurate the community that is connected to that religion. religion really is a social thing. The people in it have social connections, they meet, talk and give. I can give you an example from my religion. we have alote of groups in it: the reforms, Orthodox, conservatives and so on. Some of them see the religion as a bunch of rules of do and do not do, and they ban each person that doesn't think as they do. Other groups accept and honor everyone, and their rules. To my opinion those are the real believers, that act of mercy and giving and not of fear and hatteras.

Dear friend, Yes, I hope religion is a good thing and if those good side of religion is used and those who want to have conflict in the name of religion I hope they are not going according the right side of religions. Hence I feel those good teaching of religion should be always kept before they tend for any conflict. I feel that almost all religions are for well being of society. But making religions as groups of differences and this fight for being a superior religion is the most dangerous part that arises conflicts between religions. I hope all good religions are just to consider as trying for one single goal that is peace and well being of all.

In my personal opinion, religion is a good thing. It gives an aura of discipline, a sense of belonging and at the same time it teaches good and how to overcome the evil in us and purify ourselves. I respect all beliefs and religion and I think that the concept of believing in God is truly powerful. One thing's for sure is that there is a creator up there and we are all the subjects.

people who are question minded do not accept facts about religion that easily. but people who brought up in that manner... just take for instance.. i am from a family who believes in god to the core, my surrounding life is based on my religion!! so i believe in what my family members say!! and i trust it with my whole heart!! but if you take some other person who is not exposed to such surrounding! he would find it difficult to believe!! he would definitely ask for proofs, and on what basis he would want to believe!!! no matter what ever religion you take they would teach us only good things!! there is no religion which teaches us bad things! it is upto us to understand the teachings of our religion!!! and go according to it!!

i really don't think it's a good thing, but i wouldn't say it's a bad thing either. I don't really pay attention to the religion, as they seem so mythical to me, because i've read religious texts like bible and such, and well they just seem so idealistic, and i do know there are some facts listed in the bible, but the reasoning inside it does not seem so realistic at all... they all seem to be idealistic. Besides, religious texts and religious leaders are like completely against the science and the reasonings behind the science, they always say believe in god, and good things will happen to you who are believers.. okay... so what next? NOTHING!!! i really wouldn't spend too much time practicing religion.. it's too much of a waste of time for me.

yes its true

Withour religion what would be the purpose of our existence. It is rules and regulations set by GOD to live our lives and if you abide by them he will reward you with gardens under which rivers flow where your every desire will be fulfilled. Religion teaches people to be kind to their neighbours, help the poor, the orphans, the widows because people know that one day they will have to stand in front of god and answer for all their deeds. No deed will be hidden from god and that day and every sould will be acquitted to what it had earned. People without the true religion live their lives to their own will and not the will of god. It could be that what they do is completely the opposite of what god wants. Without doubt religion is the best thing sent down by god to mankind.

I believe religion gives an individual a purpose for life. Without a greater being or belief, there is no reason to wake every morning.

Religion is very good.Since it has lots of positive values.When we are in trouble we all naturally turn to our religion for comfort.We seek relief and comfort from praying.We have so many different religions but all said and done there is one God above who guides us and guards us but we give it different names.Its very sad to see the atrocities, conflict, pain and suffering being brought about in the name of religion.One need not be a fanatic.Its these fanatics who are causing all this trouble.Innocent people are being killed, its really sad.I say religion is good because I think every individual needs an anchor in life and that anchor I believe is your religion.Every religion teaches some basic discipline and values in life which we adhere to.These values keep you grounded.I fervently hope and pray that all this brutality and hooliganism in the name of religion will end and may goodness be overpowered.God Bless.

I think religion is the biggest evil this planet has ever seen.

I think we all need to be spiritual at times. Belief in a religion stems from spirituality. In other words it means that there is someone with all the powers and because of him we are here on this earth. Sometimes people go over the top in the name of religion, but I know one thing that no religion in this world preaches violence. So if we all follow the our respective religions the world would be a better place.

I think some people have a need to rule and others a need to be ruled. Fore them Religion may be a good thing. I won't totally discredit religion. It gave me a stepping stone in my journey. But now having outgrown the need for someone else to interpret GOD for me, I have little use for formalized religion.

There is NOTHING positive about religion, it must be the single worst thing to have ever been created by anyone, anywhere. It controls, takes your money, makes you feel guilty, wastes an unbelievable amount of time and slowly kills your spirit. As far as important values? we have those naturally, at birth. I am a good person with a great family, great kids that I teach to be freethinkers and they are wonderful. I would be heartbroken if either of them ever joined a religious organization and hope that they didn't decide to abandon family because we don't believe like they do. But I have seen that happen so many times growing up, family members shunned, ridiculed, exorcised... Just misery

Ofcourse it is. religion is a way you can make connection. This life is not a paradise but a test and you must join a religon to become apart of something and believe in your existience because there is no way its all a coincidence.