Posted by
HARRY on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 11:49:23 AM
There's quite a bit of debate (as always) regarding the benefit of organized religion. And I thought I might just chime in in my usual soft way.
What
do I see as religion's contribution to society? Religion creates
divisive power structures which pit the various packs against each
other on an ideological basis. It causes people to focus on belonging
instead of on being a humanist or a moralist. It encourages people to
engage in meaningless ritual and thereby permits them to believe that
such participation is primary to being a good and moral person. It
permits people to reinforce their dominant and submissive programming
(instead of reinforcing their spiritual side by shifting a focus to
moral behavior). It creates a sense of superiority in people which
dehumanizes people who have alternative positions.
Therefore, religion exists as a result of the very programing which is
contrary to the will of God. It exists for it's own sake and is (for
the very most part) a total failure in either saving souls or binging
humanity closer together.
Would the world be a better place without religion? You bet. What we
need to do is move away from national, religious, ethnic and social
class divisions and toward a more humanist approach to the world. By
placing ourselves together in the common human race and eliminating
these divisive frames of reference we would contribute to our
collective good. Can you imagine for a moment if the gazillions of
dollars spent each year world-wide on the military war machine was instead put in to a
world coffer from which social programs and relief for less fortunate
individuals was made? Oh there I am dreaming again....