Is Religion the root of all evil?

When did people give up the idea that there's good and bad in all groups? Rather than some groups are good and others are bad? Isn't this just another bigotry? Christians seem overbearing because they're taught if someone doesn't believe in, or accept Jesus, before they die, they will perish, or worse! (This is because of one or two misunderstandings and mistranslations, for example "hell" should read "grave".) Most wars have been wars of conquest. And it's all differences, look at the Hutus and the Tutus. If it wasn't race, class, nationality OR religion, it'd be hair color, or something. The blame game is the oldest thing in the books and human nature falls for it over and over and over. It's not me and my group, we have no responsibility for the shape the world's in, not my group or people. It's not human nature. It's thAt group over there. Same old, same old, and this is just more of the same exact thing. What always comes next? People always fall for hitler's line that he was christian. He wasn't, he was deepLy into the occult, which, for a large part, so was germany in pre-hitler days. If you think the adult fairy tale of frog becoming man through the kiss of time, is anything more than another faith and belief... a state enforced one at that... well, then I guess dinosaurs really did become the tiny birds we have today. If you can't say "all Islam is violent" how can you judge all the world religions by the radical jihadists? -[I'll tell ya one more secret, democracy grew out of christianity (was chrisitianity perfect, of course not, it's been handed down through many human hands, and it's made up of people). We're throwing over the foundations of western civilization.. Once christianity's gone, democracy will soon follow. How old are you I wonder. I'll say this, "mark my words". If you're young enough, you'll see #1-the downfall and disappearing of democracy #2-the genocide of religious people, especilly those who believe in the Judeo/Christian God. Don't think so? Remember me when it happens... and good luck...

anyone who believes in something so strongly can make it evil...you're right, most wars were/are 'holy wars' when people insisting the other is right...these religeous people mostly have it wrong because you should never force your ideas and thoughts on someone else...that is what causes war...one person thinking they should be the only one that is right and another on contridicting them...then war... i think one of the roots of evil is Money...because greed can make a man do evil things as well....just look at all the cheaters on myLot..perfect example =)

it seems to be that way.some many people have been killed by others trying to forse there religious veiw on them i think its all a bit stupid

Evil can not be attributed to a single source, and quite often evil is the main driving force behind itself. The 2 major factors behind most wars have been either religion or the hunger for land, but it is the implementation by the people that generates the ultimate conflict. I would imagine that the program you saw was very convincing, because religion has been flown as a banner in many wars. However, this does not mean that without religion the wars would not have taken place. The Roman Empire waged war on the world and grew very powerful, while outlawing Christianity. Later on they adopted Christanity and took the title of Holy Roman Empire. This did not change their desire for power or war either way.

it's the love of money the root of all evil. not religion.

I didn't see that episode but, relying only on your description and statements, I dare to contradict you. I cannot agree to your opinion. Maybe, because I believe in God. But that's not the issue in here. I think your examples ca't be taken into account. I believe that those people who use Religion in order to achieve their political or financial goals are not true believers. I am convinced that, in those cases, Religion is only a false pretext. If you need more reasons I'll come back later.

yes most of the problems are created due to religion specially in india there are lot of disputes on basis of religion. i think its made just for some people to dominate other people

Religion is not the root of all evil. No religion preaches that one should go to war in the name of religion. All religion preaches love, again it doesnt mean that one has to spread love among his own religion and kill / hate / discriminate those who are outside his religion. Although this is precisely what is happenning.People who carry these acts in name of religion are the root of evil.

i do not think so, though i think religion is the root of all good. and those who do evil in the name of religion, i do not think they truly believe in their religion, they are just using relgion as a shield for thier wrong doings, and i do not think any god would want that.

I believe that there are different religions because everyone is at a different level of spirituality. I also believe that no ONE religion is right. People should concentrate on spirituality not religion. Religion only serves people who need guidance to their lives. That's why there are labeled 'followers'. They need someone else to tell them what they should believe in and why. Take control of your life and grow spiritually. This would eliminate any more arguments, violence, war, etc... What would there be left to fight about?

Religion is not the root of all evil. It is the people who are evil and use religion as an excuse to do evil. A person who is a christian and follows the teachings of the bible will do no evil but only good.

I don't know if religion is the root of all evil, or if it's people ABUSING THE IDEA of religion that is. I would say it certainly causes a lot of tension in the world - now if people would just accept other people and not try to interfere with their beliefs, or persecute them for them, the world would be a much happier place. As John Lennon said: "Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today... Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace..."

God does not compel anybody to believe and obey Him. The Holy Bible is complete, believe and follow it or not. He is our Creator, the potter, and we are the clay. Whatever the potter wants to do with the clay, the clay is helpless. Money answers everything (Ecclesiastes 10:19) and the love of money is the root of all evil as quoted earlier. If we obey God, there would be no problem. We are His creation and He loves us. His Spirit which He blew into the face of the image He molded from soil who is Adam from whom we all came yearns to be with Him and even atheists could not escape from that longing that they keep on asking and doubting seeking for they don't understand what. God teaches us to keep peace with all men. I, as a servant of God, do not at all want to be in war with anybody. Thank you very much and may God bless you. SEN

Religion is not the root of all evil. It is the love of money as said in 1 Tim. 6:10 - "For the love of money is the root of all of the evil things..." Greed for power is just the offshoot of that love of money... lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life also result to evil. God already told us what are good but many people seem to be better than God. Anyway God doesn't compel anyone to obey Him and He has already prepared the right place for people who obey Him and those who disobey Him and each of us will be in his own place in the last day. The Holy Bible is clear - believe it or not. But I do hope that people would believe and obey God. PLS study the Holy Bible. May God bless all of us. SEN

sorry but i disgaree with you.religions teach us to do good deeds to eachother, but most people dont understand it completely so they only understand words inside the religions not the meaning and the full sentences.its your right to not belive in God (which i think its wrong), but its completely wrong saying that religion is the root of evil, most crime also done by people who dont believe in God or religions.so we cant blame it on the religion but blame it on the people it self coz evil is part of human and religion to test how deep humans heart to God.because God is fair:)

I don't think religion is the root. Actually at first, there is only one religion existing, one faith and one belief. But then after, because of it's mislead, (as the case the tower of babel), God meant us to be in different. Although He sent prophets to guide those kind hearted ones. And so, i think even there's too many religion or not, still evil will exist. So it's not the religion itself, but of the carrier.

Not exctaly. But yes, religion is one of the main factors which dominates the life of the people. One gentleman philosopher also termed the religion works as the opium for the people. Religious people dont see beyond their nose and also not ready to accept the facts.

I strongly disagree, the love of money is the root of all evil. Notice I did not say money, but the love of money. Religion is a name applied to a person's belief. If you do not believe in God I am truly sorry for you. Only through God do we have any chance at real peace.

"Any religion will assert the absolute correctness of its teachings. For precisely this reason , religion can easily lead people astray. A fully developed religion is completely balanced, harmoniously incorporating the religion's fundamental characteristics Without Bias or Distortion." Anyway this is my two-cents worth.

No myfriend religion is not the root of all evil.Its the people who are the reason for all evil.Every religion teaches good things.People should follow such good things and also should respect other religion.if they did so then there wont be any evil.