Religion

Armando wrote:That's true and all, but not many people believe in after-life ;)

I still think the law itself should be enough.
What are you talking about?? Last time I checked, the vast majority of the people in the U.S. adhered to one religion or another, and most include something after you die. Ex: Heaven and Hell, reincarnation, etc.

The law SHOULD be enough, but it isn't. If it was, we wouldn't have crime. The order of restraint should be: morals, religion, then law. Law should really be used the least of the three, because if you have a strong moral code, you are not likely to go out and kill someone.;) Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there's anything society can do if an individual has no morals, no religion, and no respect for the law.

I'm not talking about school statistics. Think about it. Teenagers couldn't care less what's going to happen to them in 5 years, let alone for the rest of eternity. As people grow older though, they tend to worry more about that sort of thing.

Mike200 wrote:Well it depends on the way you look at it.

Personally, I think religion is a good thing. If everyone in the world was a good Christian, Jew, or Muslim, the world would be almost a utopia. There would be no murder, no crime, no dishonesty, etc.

In response to the first quote: Well, it's true. Except it's a little better since it doesn't do bodily harm. Religion gives hope and ability to get through difficult times in life. I could not imagine getting through a death in the family without God.

sorry for late post, but i think the first part of this post is a bit not right.. let's go back into the old old days...when basically Catholicism was every *strong* European country's religion. back then girls always kept their virginity (and if you didn't everyone in that land would know) and religion was much more serious. then something happens that i hate about the Christ related religions (and i am a Christian too). the crusade. the crusade was horribly selfish for the Christians to do...to purge of all infidels out of the European and the Holy land. And not to mention that Muslims have their Jihad = holy war (however my Muslim friend tells me it is a holy war within oneself of faith). Religion is bad when it combines with other people, since CHristiany itself has uncountable branches. That is why the Law and only the Law should be good enough. And that is also why the separation of church and state is very important. today, the law cannot hurt any human being. however, religion can, since there are many religions, but only one human race.

Armando wrote:All very good points, but I would like to "attack", if you will, one specific point.

Religion doesn't get rid of dishonesty and inmorality and whatnot. "True" or "good" religious people don't necessarily embody those exact characteristics. They are not mutually exclusive. I am atheist, and I would like to believe that I am an honest person and that I have high morals. One must not turn to religion to acquiere such characteristics.

Ditto what Armando said. There are religious groups out there, for example... Islam, that are fighting and killing each other all because of differences in beliefs. If someone were to live their life strictly by what the Bible says, they'd be going out and annhilating cities on the weekends. Those are extreme examples, but I know a lot of "religious" people that have done some pretty awful stuff, but then I know a lot of agnostic/atheists that are the nicest people I've ever met, and wouldn't hurt a fly.

cocunutcreampie wrote:Ditto what Armando said. There are religious groups out there, for example... Islam, that are fighting and killing each other all because of differences in beliefs. If someone were to live their life strictly by what the Bible says, they'd be going out and annhilating cities on the weekends. Those are extreme examples, but I know a lot of "religious" people that have done some pretty awful stuff, but then I know a lot of agnostic/atheists that are the nicest people I've ever met, and wouldn't hurt a fly.
Actually, no they wouldnt be. If they truly followed the Bible they would "turn the other cheek" and wait for "judgement day"

I think religion is a great way to live out your personal life. It gives people courage during hard times and something to look foreward to in a life of pain and a kind of order when there might otherwise be chaos.

Religion should have absolutely no place anywhere else... the world is too modern for it to be involved in politics and basic social institutions. It gives people a way to justify bad behavior and why certain people aren't as equal as others. In some cases, it inspires hate.

I'm not a religious person, but if I were to choose one it would be buddhism or paganism; I am sick and tired of christianity in general because it is the most socially stratified of all the prominant religions on earth and its followers insist on interpreting their sacred texts so literally. But getting in touch with your own spirituality is a good thing!