Is complete devotion to a religion wrong?
By sarawinn
@sarawinn (5)
Bulgaria
November 19, 2009 10:14am CST
Do you believe that one is being selfish if they devote their whole life to their religion instead of helping humanity advance?
Lets say a person is fully devoted to Buddhism, his life is practicing his religion and nothing else, he doesn't work, go to school, he lives in a Buddhist temple and prays all day, that's all he does.
Do you feel that he is not giving to humanity this way? That he should be constructive, hold a job, create a new invention, make scientific discoveries and focus more on the evolution and advancement of humanity and how he can contribute?
What I'm trying to understand is wither religion does harm to human advancement. A priest will devote his whole life to the church and God, a scientist will make new discoveries and experiments to better the way we live. Is the religiouse person being selfish? Does strong and total devotion to religion stomp human advancement? What are your thoughts about this?
2 people like this
10 responses
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
19 Nov 09
Organized Religion is the Greatest Scam that was ever perpetuated on humankind. Neither God no Jesus ever said a word about starting a religion. Organised religion was begun by men who saw an opportunity to make money by monopolizing God's word and a factitious story about Jesus. They seized the opportunity and their Grand scam has grown over 2 millenniums into the Biggest, Most wealthy, Most Powerful Business the world has ever seen, and although it is slowing somewhat (as people become better educated and learn to think for themselves) religion is an ongoing belief that will plague humanity for some time yet. Estimates of human lives taken by religious wars, and murders by the Religious Heirachy are in the hundreds of millions, and only God knows how many innocent children even to this day, have had their lives ruined by religion in churches by priests, and pastors.
2 people like this
@liaamur (417)
• Philippines
19 Nov 09
Hi sarawinn,
I think it's wrong to accuse religious people that they are not doing anything for the betterment of mankind. After all, humans also have souls that need taking care of.
I am not a very religious person, sometimes i am even agnostic. but that doesn't mean that i do not spend time with God. I guess it is only right for everybody to do what he feels is good, as long as he is not hurting the people around him. a priest devoting his life to God cannot be accused of not helping mankind because he is also tasked to give shelter, provide food and water and clothing, or even pray for those who need help--even if those that needed helping are complete strangers. In the same way, we cannot be totally convinced that the scientist is the only one who thinks about how to alleviate our way of living, because it is the same profession that brought to us harmful chemicals.
^_^
@sarawinn (5)
• Bulgaria
19 Nov 09
Oh dear ^^! Don't get me wrong.. I am not accusing them, on the contrary, I feel that it is very important for a person to have spirituality in their lives.
Really what led me to wonder on this issue is seeing how religiouse influence has began declining in most western societies. Separation of state and church, removal of the creation theory in schools and so on. It seems as if importance is focused more on science, media & technological issues rather than spiritual growth. That's what made me want to see how others feel towards this. Many speak of the Dark Ages and how humanity wasn't evolving then due to the strict influence religion had on society, but is it better to live in a world of flat screens, IPOD's and gadgets?
Religion has thought us kindness, principles, morals and to help others in need. On the other hand science made our lives more comfortable but I agree with you also that it did bring us harmful chemicals amongst other things.
Eitherways thank you for giving me your insight on the issue ^^ .
1 person likes this
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
19 Nov 09
Who's to say that science is the way for us to advance? By scientific terms, it's better to let the weak and unsucessful die off so they will not have children and further make the human race weaker. By scientific terms, we should be doing everything we can to advance human DNA and human evolution. But is that really helping humanity advance, or does that make us like wild animals? I think religion can bring advancement - most non-profit organizations that help the poor, sick, dying, starving, and mentally ill and handicapped people are usually run by religious people (maybe not explicitly). These are the people who truely care about their fellow humans by not making profits off of them. Who are you to judge how people are being productive? We are not commodities to be bought and sold for our labor. God is the judge of our productivity, and I think God would be just fine if everyone devoted their lives to Him.
1 person likes this
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
20 Nov 09
Total devotion to any religion is wrong. However, total devotion to God is not.Will there be human advancement with total devotion to God?? You bet. Knowledge and ideas advance man more than anything else. Every scientific invention started with an idea. God has lots and lots of great ideas. Being totally devoted to God doesn't mean a person shouldn't have a well rounded life with interaction with lots of people. What good are ideas if they are not shared?? Interaction is key in learning and growing as people. That's why we all have so many different views.
1 person likes this
@mylosha (286)
• India
20 Nov 09
science without religion is lamp which is the famous quote of admirable scientist Alberet einstien, so dont put partition between science and religion seince and scientific technologies are to simplyfy the life of the human being and also they produce some serious consequeences among the common people like AIDS, but priests are dovoting inner peace, this not only deserving character of priests alone also you and me, so priest always devoting in the temple is his own will there are so many scientist who always be a serious devotees of god i myself in the scientific field but need inner peace through devotion of god. so find the good one natural religion which available in our earth now.
1 person likes this
@hardilaziz (64)
• India
19 Nov 09
Even if one is doing nothing it is acceptable if he or she is not harming anyone. At least, his way of living can inspire others to be totally devoted to a cause- belief in one's Self!
1 person likes this
@ethanonthemoon (1494)
• Quezon, Philippines
20 Nov 09
If you are in the true religion, a complete devotion is not wrong in anyway. Otherwise, you're just wasting your time.
@May2k8 (18361)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 09
human nature is not easily predictable, if they have a strong desire is service to religion or futile nonsense. Sure, people want to be free and why only the Buddhist religion are not allowed to marry. Why do not all religions that forbid people to marry. I'm still wondering what the purpose of the formation of the various religions that ultimately led to misunderstandings between religions.
@borhan (1338)
• United States
20 Nov 09
So long the person is not disturbing any one of the society, let him be with religion. Questions may come that he is not with the modern world and new science and technologies. What we really get by these? May be some advantages in day to day life. At the end of the day, dissatisfaction and frustration. At least that pious person is with a mental peace. Why to bring him in this complicated world. Many a times i also thought about them. How happy and peaceful they are! I dont find anything wrong in complete devotion to religion.
Thank you.
@hazeldesosa (67)
• Philippines
20 Nov 09
It is unfair to judge a person's devotion especially religion. My mom converted from roman catholic to a some kind of religion not known. At first she wanted us her children to attend and be part of her religion or become one of them. I myself did not allow to engage into something i dont't think i can accept easily the process of changing my beliefs. It is difficult to understand how my mom got engaged with her present religion. Years passed and o've realized that it is her own choice and that let her enjoy life she thinks can do best for her. I believe that she found that religion her joy. Acceptance is really hard but you never replace a happy life she is into with her religion.
