Is religion a bad thing?

Published 2006-10-24 at 17:46:20Z under biographical, homepage, thoughts
Graffiti of a gun with a cross

I'm an atheist. I was raised a protestant Christian, but my analytical mind
quickly quashed that. Going to church nowadays is done out of respect for the
family members I visit every year or so.

Wired Magazine is doing a piece titled "Battle of the New Atheism". The article
discusses the "New Atheist" movement, which seems to be united not just in the
belief that religion is wrong, but that it is harmful. Richard Dawkins writes
in The God Delusion:

    As long as we accept the principle that religious faith must be respected
    simply because it is religious faith, it is hard to withhold respect from
    the faith of Osama bin Laden and the suicide bombers.

If you look back on all of the major conflicts of the world, how many of them
are primarily caused by religious faith? One side may say that it's not about
religion, but what is the motivation of the other side? How many of these
conflicts would have never occurred if religion hadn't been in the picture?

Some would say that's a good reason for their religion to simply be made the
one single religion of the world. That way, there's no disagreement about whose
morals are right. The only way that's going to happen is through violent,
forced conversions, though. I really doubt that's going to happen, even though
people are killing themselves to try.

On the other hand, a recent study found those that held strong religious
beliefs were happier with their lives than those that did not. So as far as the
quality of one's life, religion is a good thing, not to be so easily dismissed.

Good religion vs. bad religion

I don't necessarily think religions need to go away. They're not my cup of tea,
but there's nothing inherently wrong with religion per se. In fact, I suspect
the qualities that give rise to an increase in happiness have little to do with
the qualities that turn fundamentalist religious followers into genocidal
maniacs.

On the good side of religion, we have faith. Faith that someone is watching out
for them. Faith that things will end the way they should end, and that for
every person's sacrifice, other, more needy people will benefit. This is about
being kind to your neighbor, and doing things for your community. It's about
solidarity, purpose and peace.

On the bad side of religion, we have intolerance. Intolerance of those that do
not share your beliefs. Intolerance of those that violate the letter (but not
necessarily the spirit) of your written word. The intolerant seek to change
people that do not want to be changed, and to seek—by force—the "conversion" of
others to your way of thinking.

I wouldn't ask someone to reconsider their choice to believe in a religion. I
do ask that people use it to enrich their own lives, not at the expense of
others.

(Photo by d°°; license)

π
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