By their very nature religions are divisive.
They promote the we-versus them notion.
Our God is better, we are more devout,
our leader was the best, we will go to heaven,
you will not, and so on.

Religion is all about believing under fear of
punishment - all the admonitions, divisiveness and
fear that is at the root of religion. That is a
recipe for bigotry and violence.

All it takes is for a person unable to think very
deeply to follow the religion to its letter of law in
order for the religion to be used as an excuse for the
most inhumane and ungodly acts. We've seen this over
and over again throughout the ages.

Is that a fair assessment of religion?

We have to remember that although religion is a
universal social institution it takes a multitude of
forms. Believers may worship gods, ancestors, totems,
they may practice solitary meditation, frenzied rituals,
or solemn prayer. And obviously, religion cannot be
defined in terms of Western religious tradition alone.

We need to also look at the rituals enacted in a
religion that enhance the solidarity of the community
as well as its faith. Do people really believe
as deeply in traditional religion today?

So much to discuss. Your thoughts (not insults) would
be appreciated on this subject. Try to be civil.

You know what you think,and you won't change your mind, no matter what others think. People who ask others what they think apropos of nothing about anything at all are generally interest only expounding their own views and having an argument. Your first paragraph clearly reveals your attitude to religion, and your last clearly indicates that you are expecting the worst - but you still want another opportunity to lecture and harangue anyone who dares to have thoughts different from yours.

You would get more respect you made a statement, rather than pretending that you are interested in discussion

Some form of religion has existed in every society
that we know of. Religious beliefs and practices
are so ancient that they can be traced into
prehistory, perhaps as far back as 100,000 years
ago if not further. Even the primitive Neanderthal
people of that time, it seems, had some concept
of a supernatural realm that lay beyond everyday
reality. Among the fossilized remains of these
cave dwellers, anthropologists have found evidence of
funeral ceremonies in the form of flowers and artifacts
that were buried with the dead, presumably to accompany
them on the journey to an afterlife.

Mr Thwackum, a character in Henry Fielding's novel,
"Tom Jones" declares:

"When I mention religion, I mean the Christian
religion, and not only the Christian religion, but the
Protestant religion; and not only the Protestant
religion, but the Church of England."

Most people are like Mr Thwackum when they mention
religion, they have their own in mind.

I was raised as a Catholic. And although I'm probably not
a "good" Catholic in that I don't go to Church every
Sunday. I still love the rituals enacted in my religion.
rituals such as baptism, Christmas Mass, funerals, to name
just a few. I find that rituals such as these bring people
together to remind them of their common group membership,
to reafirm their traditional values, to maintain prohibitions
and taboos, and to offer comfort in times of crisis,
and in general, to help transmit the cultural heritage from
one generation to another.

I tend to ignore many negatives. When I was growing up what
was being preached from the pulpit was divisive. However,
my parents told me to pay more attention to the teachings
of Christ rather than what was being spoken from the pulpit.
And this I have tried to do - making my experiences more
positive all round. I cannot imagine my life without God
in it.

ttbn,

Yes, I do know what I think.

You don't.

What about contributing something to this discussion?

This is not about venting your spleen.
If you want to do that - start your own discussion -
but please do not try to divert mine.

Thank You.

Dear Foxy,

Sorry, I do not know where to begin, because you just have no clue what religion is.

The social behaviours and institutions which you refer to and criticise are not religion.

Have a nice day.

Dear Yuyutsu,

Please explain.