Inspired by religion, these leaders, and many more like them, improved the lives of millions and changed the modern world for the better. Is Religion Good or Bad for Society? Sin is what we are made of, and whatever we humans are doing is bound to be corrupted in one way or another. Religion also encourages believers to put words into action and go into the community to shower others with compassion, love and charity. It should not foster or favor one religion over another. Theologists, scientists and thought leaders have attempted for centuries to understand the impact that religion can have on human beings; both mentally and physically. Periods of respite from daily life lead to a reduction in stress. From the Crusades and the Holy Inquisition to the September 11th attacks, religion can often fuel violence, war, and massacres. Is crime-solving by online communities effective law enforcement? Others would say that it is perfectly possible to be moral and happy without believing in God or gods. This line of thinking can promote ignorance or denialism on scientific issues and can hinder scientific progress. Is religion a force for good or a force for bad? Today the church is often not viewed favourably by those not part of it. The assumption of truth. This implies that someone with spiritual conviction should be viewed with suspicion, because a presumption … Do you think religion brings out the best or worst in people? This sense of community helps society because it helps its people to have a sense of belonging and to make sense of things when worldly events become dramatic. I assume here that “religion” is a set of behaviours derived from an optional amount of faith. The Esquiline … Religion promotes tribalism. In these and other extreme cases, believers may live in poverty, risk their lives by trusting others’ questionable judgment or even agree to wear suicide vests. I find it necessary to begin by addressing one concern that I know many atheists have in regard to the way that believers have conducted themselves over the centuries – the issue of fundamentalist belief and extremism. We should not judge religions by their most bigoted adherents. Individualism by fixing its focus on individuals brings about the development of individuals as well as promoting and protecting individual interest within the society. The pyramids in Egypt, the Parthenon in Greece, the Taj Mahal in India, and so many other architectural wonders were built as religious monuments. This might be why religion is good for well–being, because (at its best) it draws you into a story in which the final good of love is recognised and realised, in as far this is possible in our dull sublunary world. Is religion good or bad for humanity? Today on Twitter, I was asked “Why are you so fixated on religion if you believe it is so untrue?”: Twitter is an amazing tool for engaging with people in real time, but it’s not brilliant for answering questions like this or really getting your point across, especially when I have a … Religion is essential to a vibrant, democratic society Religion is vital to democracy “[We] have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.” — John Adams. They have long histories of intellectual debate and considerable internal diversity. One in every three Americans are classified as overweight or obese. Good government need not take sides. by Rev. INTRODUCTION. It sets a standard for good behaviour and punishes the bad. It also follows a particular system involving a code of ethics and philosophy. By the same token, good religion should neither endorse nor oppose any political party or candidate. Posted Sep 10, 2018 Of a worldwide population of 7.5 billion, 80% identify with a religion. It’s about commitments, selflessness, and looking out for the greater good of others. Most of our world’s major religions each assume that it is their faith … Que sera, sera—what will be will be. Bob Eckhard. Indeed, the impression that I am left with is that atheists believe that religion is best explained by reference to the extreme elements within it. Why Is Religion Important to Society and Its People. Having a … Religion is very real; it is an expression of society itself, and indeed, there is no society that does not have religion. Indeed, psychological studies show that people are more likely to justify. Read atheist bloggers for evidence of that. Does it unite or divide society? Not all society's offer religious freedom, with some countries demanding the practice of one religion and others going to war to create a religious dominance. Religion Is Good For All Of Us, Even Those Who Don't Follow One. While religion may foster prosocial behavior, it tends to be towards other members of the same religious group. A scientific review of 10,000 years of history is finally revealing the unexpected truth behind religion… Good state-funded faith schools can discourage bigotry, but secularism also produces bigots. At the same time, it has been known to promote prejudice and suspicion towards outsiders. Sometimes it’s hard to believe I’ve been married 10 years. 1. Women can get married to women, men to men, men can be women, and women can be men. For instance, there has been a 24% increase in the number of Americans turning to religious faith since the coronavirus pandemic began since religion is a way to cope with the mental health challenges posed by virus. Remember what happened in 1978 in Guyana, when 900 members of Jim Jones’s People’s Temple committed mass suicide by drinking cyanide-laced juice? This is why, in many countries, women are treated as second-class citizens, Some of the most violent crimes in human history have been motivated by religious fanaticism. Religion anchors believers to the Iron Age. The messy middle ground is where the truth resides, a place that requires an open mind, a desire to learn more about religion's complexity and history, and an ability to accept the shifting sands of multiple truths that display the good, bad and ugly in religion. Like many things, religion is what we make of it. Martin Luther, credited as the founder of Protestantism, called for the extermination of the Jewish people because of their religious beliefs, a view that has been shared by many Christians and Muslims for centuries. Religious instruction and belief remain today the lifeblood of society’s moral ethos. From the Crusades and the Holy Inquisition to the September 11th attacks, religion can often fuel violence, war, and massacres. On one hand, without it we may never have survived as a species to beat other early hominids, such as the neanderthal. When families break down society as a whole feels the ramifications of broken families including the need for more social welfare programs to help single mothers and educational alternatives for children from lower-income households, often run by a single parent. However, for American society and other societies that allow religious freedom, the ability to practice a religion when and where someone likes helps to protect other freedoms, such as speech and expression. It applies in smaller family circles, workplace, organizational structures and the society at large. Jeffrey Dorfman Former Contributor. Do you know why marriage is important? Religion divides insiders from outsiders. Why Religion and Religious Freedom is Good for Society, Offenders, and Prisons. Should You Be Using KDP to Self-Publish Your First Novel? Religion motivates people to do the right thing All major religions are preoccupied with morality, and all encourage people to be more righteous. This shows that religion can be a force for good if we only live it in a divine way. Some of the most violent crimes in human history have been motivated by religious fanaticism. Politics + Society; Science + Technology; Is religion a force for good? The importance of religion on an individual, societal, and national level varies greatly, but there are a few reasons why … Infidel, heathen, heretic. During global coronavirus lockdowns, people felt comforted that they could still turn to their religious communities, even on Zoom. Scientific issues and can hinder scientific progress of 7.5 billion, 80 % identify with religion! Individuals brings about the question, why is religion a force for bad the neanderthal is. Enough to benefit from the Crusades and the desire to assert supremacy and towards! 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