Keep Good Religion, Ban Bad Religion
That was the sentence I heard a vicar say whilst listening to the local radio station on the morning of Sunday 26th...of course, this prompted me to call in with my question, 'how do you define a bad religion?' Unfortunately, it didn't get put through as there wasn't much time left. Seriously though, what does define a bad religion; in all honesty
( Read more... )
When the forces behind a religion unite towards a cause that helps people without harming others, i would consider that "good" religion. When a religion is used (and it often is) for personal gain, the accumulation of material wealth, or causes the deaths of others based on purely religious grounds, i would consider this "bad" religion.
I think one of the main problems you're facing is that you believe that the followers of a religion are somehow separate from the religion itself. Remove the followers, and you have only texts without context, or rituals with no purpose. Like the wheels on a car - it would be said that the axle, wheels, and tires of a car are all a part of the car; remove them, and you have nothing but a metal box with seats, a radio, and an engine.
The followers are what give a religion life, and sometimes the collective will of those individuals can steer religions into directions that often harm others. Other times, they can redeem individuals with violent or scarred pasts, and bring hope and healing to the destitute and the hopeless.
If there is one bad thing about religion, its that its logic can be used by individuals to justify the harm of others; and the individual often feels no remorse - but instead, can feel empowered by it, and senses an impending reward, which only serves to tempt him/her into repeating that act.
The opposite is also true.
Reply
Leave a comment