Do you think the Pope should retire?

[K2Grey]

But on the other hand, when the people who cause problems are motivated by religion, we can begin considering what role religion had in the problems.

[cundor]

Religion started because people thought if they sacrificed stuff, the gods would give them good weather, healthy children etc. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didnt. People like to believe in something when things go bad. Religion helps people survive...i guess

[Mr. Peanuts]

But on the other hand, when the people who cause problems are motivated by religion, we can begin considering what role religion had in the problems.

However ultimately, it's the people who instigated it who are to blame.

cundor, maybe that is so in Ancient times, but I don't see how that explains modern religions. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[cundor]

People with problems look for answers in Religion

[Superted]

Who doesn't have problems?

[Squeezer]

People with problems look for answers in Religion

Is that really a bad thing though?

People who are at the end of their rope, and have nowhere else to go, usually find religion. Religion to them serves a purpose of straightening their lives. It gives them hope, that despite their past mistakes, there is something better waiting for them. Ultimately, most people that find religion under these circumstances (IE convicts) become better people. I don't see any bad in that. I mean, if a person straightens out their life, and becomes a better person, who are we to judge the means by which they got it. The point is not that they used a hope, that cannot be proven true or false, the point is that now they are better, and that should be admonished, not the fact that they used religion to become better.

[Liquid Blue]

But on the other hand, when the people who cause problems are motivated by religion, we can begin considering what role religion had in the problems.

I dunno, I happen to think that alot of greedy/evil people just use religon as an excuse to sway the masses.

Religion started because people thought if they sacrificed stuff, the gods would give them good weather, healthy children etc. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didnt. People like to believe in something when things go bad. Religion helps people survive...i guess

I sort of agree with you, although I'd be more inclined to believe that people like to pass blame onto something, aka have something to blame when things go wrong. I do think that religon helps a large number of people get through their lives, it's like Squeezer said, it gives them hope and sometimes a little hope is all we need.

[K2Grey]

Nowadays it may be more common for people to use religion. But I wouldn't discount the possiblity that alot of people were used by religion as well, that they really held true beliefs about other races due to religion.

Anyway, IMHO however awesome a person's reformation due to religion may be, it'd be even better if that person was able to reform themselves without having to turn to a random religion in order to do so. People may be happy to hear stories about others getting back on their feet due to religious experiences, but there's probably also former druggies and nolifes who reformed themselves once they understood that the point of their life was to worship God through blowing themselves up in a crowded marketplace.

[DoTheFandango]

BTW I killed the pope.

[Squeezer]

Nowadays it may be more common for people to use religion. But I wouldn't discount the possiblity that alot of people were used by religion as well, that they really held true beliefs about other races due to religion.

Anyway, IMHO however awesome a person's reformation due to religion may be, it'd be even better if that person was able to reform themselves without having to turn to a random religion in order to do so. People may be happy to hear stories about others getting back on their feet due to religious experiences, but there's probably also former druggies and nolifes who reformed themselves once they understood that the point of their life was to worship God through blowing themselves up in a crowded marketplace.

yes, I agree that sometimes religion can cause ppl to be fanatical. But, like I said above, what does it matter if the use religion to become a better person? The fact of the matter is that they are, now, a better person. No matter what, their will always be those that stray away from the true message, but for the majority that get it, and use it to better themselves, religion is a great expediant.

[Liquid Blue]

I personally believe that people should strive to become better than who they currently are - not for religon, girls, money, power- but simply to try and reach their true potential. I know that's not going to be the case with 98% of the world, but I think it would be more fufilling to succeed in areas you didn't think you could if you did it simply to improve yourself, instead of pleasing someone else or just to get into heaven.

[Tibro]

Religion causes too many problems.

finally! someone who see's my point!

Religion is the cause for most of wars throughout history..
No Religion = No Wars (well i know thats not totally true.. but it would be a hell of a lot nicer world)

its all a brainwashing procedure created by guys who want others to fight their petty battles for them.

[Superted]

finally! someone who see's my point!

Religion is the cause for most of wars throughout history..

Except it's not.

No Religion = No Wars (well i know thats not totally true.. but it would be a hell of a lot nicer world)

its all a brainwashing procedure created by guys who want others to fight their petty battles for them.

Please enlighten me, which wars were cause by religion?

That might be your opinion but religion plays an important role even today. Firstly, it gives people purpose. Secondly religion is responsible for our morals, imagine a world without morals...it would be like the trench wars community. Thirdly, it provides a community.

Might I add that even Atheists have beliefs of some sort, for instance the Big Bang or aliens. A basic meaning of religion is a community of people that share similiar beliefs. By this meaning even Atheists have a religion. I find it odd that most Atheists 'hate' God even though they're supposed to believe that God doesn't exist.

No Religion = No Morals = A shitter world

[Tibro]

No Religion = No Morals = A shitter world

i guess it does give the believers some false? answers to the questions of life... i personally i like to believe what can be proven by science

[Superted]

That's just following another religion Tibro.

P.S. Nothing can be proven, the scientific explanation for the creation of the world is just guessing. But they are your beliefs, sorry that I argued against them.