That's what religion should be.

Unfortunately, that's not always what religion is. When people get to thinking that they are right and everyone else is wrong, problems arise. People are always too proud to admit that they're wrong. They always like to feel superior however they can. Over the centuries, traditions and distinct cultures begin to become associated with different religions, so it becomes about more than the religion. It becomes about an entire way of life. And people are very willing to defend their way of life. It becomes political, as different religions claim different territory as their own. And no one is willing to admit defeat, because to them, that would be admitting that their religion and way of life is wrong. Admitting defeat would mean admitting that everything they've been living for, everything they believe in, is wrong.

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And while the seagulls are crying,
We fall but our souls are flying.

If everyone tried their hardest to follow the basic commandments the world would be a better place.

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Just a nobody trying to tell anybody about somebody who can do everything!

religion is also good because it comforts people who feel that their lives are worthless. them believing in a higher power makes them feel special and wanted

Of course, it's when people, in their imperfect and selfish moods, get their hands on it that religious ideas become twisted, corrupt and dangerous. By themselves, religions are generally a positive thing, but even the best thing in the world can be twisted for evil by people with malicious intent.

In short: the problem isn't religion; it's people.

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Let yourself be enchanted,
You just might break through
To ever ever after

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Quote: from greatescape11 at 12:42 pm on Dec. 20, 2008

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Neutral.  

 It's not the religion that decides benefit or hindrance to society.  It's how the religion is practiced by its followers

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I like this.

Its really entirely based on how it is interpreted.
Religion in itself is not bad.

People are.

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In times of peace and plenty and rainbows and lollipops, it ain't so bad. However, its absolutist nature is somewhat antithetical to religious pluralism and it's a rare thing to see a fiercely religious population governed by a resolutely secular government. The religious right of America serves as a case in point.

As for the "oh, but people need it to be good and happy" tripe, there is absolutely no evidence of that. The non-religious do not spend their time robbing banks or jumping off bridges.

Of course, if it's true, then none of the above matters in the slightest. But setting aside the supernatural possibilities, I'd say it is not a good thing for society.

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In times of bloody chaos, religious division is just another fault line in society waiting to crack under the pressure and let loose a molten stream of bigotry and sectarian violence. There will always be wicked zealots and wicked cynics waiting to hijack religious devotion, and so the mere fact that religion is so easily manipulated makes it a dangerous force in the world.

In times of peace and plenty and rainbows and lollipops, it ain't so bad. However, its absolutist nature is somewhat antithetical to religious pluralism and it's a rare thing to see a fiercely religious population governed by a resolutely secular government. The religious right of America serves as a case in point.

As for the "oh, but people need it to be good and happy" tripe, there is absolutely no evidence of that. The non-religious do not spend their time robbing banks or jumping off bridges.

Of course, if it's true, then none of the above matters in the slightest. But setting aside the supernatural possibilities, I'd say it is not a good thing for society.

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Point that I've found what you describe to be much more true of political divides than of religious divides.

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Let yourself be enchanted,
You just might break through
To ever ever after

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good - it promotes GOOD morals and values, to better guide our society.

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What about religions that promote extramarital sex with people of any gender you choose and hedonism in every definition of the word?

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Let yourself be enchanted,
You just might break through
To ever ever after

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Quote: from Hoop Jargon at 9:50 pm on Dec. 20, 2008

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Religion is responsible for society. Our greatest advances in technology and civilisation have been inspired by a diety or multiple dieties. Good or a bad thing.. I can't really judge or tell.

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\
Oh thats right, and inventions have nothing to do with ease of acess or any other common sense reason for inventing...do you have any proof of that?

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When a religion was prominent in a region stability is usually reached. At this time many people can think about science, art, and philosophy since they don't have to worry about getting their head cut off.