Are we better off with religion?

[Anonymous]

Religion has added beauty and meaning to the world and provides markers throughout our lives, e.g., baptism, Bar Mitzvah, religious marriages and funerals. Meanwhile, differences of opinion about religion have caused wars, prevented or ended marriages, etc.

Overall, Do you think that we’re better off with religion, or would be better off without it?

[Anonymous]

Imo absolutely not. Most of the world’s problems are due to religion.

[Anonymous]

Without it.

https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article294344729.html

The Catholic Church still supporting child abuse while paying lawyers in Baltimore

President of the US Bible thumping crowd who thinks he’s god.

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/robert-morris-texas-megachurch-indicted-sexual-abuse/

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/06/arrest-trump-pardon-insurrection/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-gop-official-accused-distributing-014731953.html

I can find tons more just last week of the Republican Party sex abuse against minors.

Religion bans books in the name of stupidity

Religion spreads hate like it’s candy

Religion causes war more than peace.

Under the guise of religion Ulvade and Sandy Hook and Parkland and all school shootings are ok be issue if the “ god give. Right “ to is. A gun.

Yeah Religion is code for hypocrisy, indoctrination, ignorance and cult.

[Anonymous]

Religious differences make a virtuous excuse for war but it’s always about power and money, not religion.

Religion solves a lot of problems on a micro level. Individually, the peace that comes from prayer/meditation and the good you feel from a life guided by most religious norms makes your life better. Doesn’t really matter which religion.

[Anonymous]

Both

[Anonymous]

It’s not religion itself, it’s the people and how they interpret it. If we took away religion, you’d still have abuse of minors, wars, judgmental people. None of that would go away if there were no religion. I think we are better off as a society with religion in that it serves as a community for many, it fills in the gap for charitable aid, it provides moral guidance and personal accountability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not religion itself, it’s the people and how they interpret it. If we took away religion, you’d still have abuse of minors, wars, judgmental people. None of that would go away if there were no religion. I think we are better off as a society with religion in that it serves as a community for many, it fills in the gap for charitable aid, it provides moral guidance and personal accountability.

Yes, BUT, religion also allows people to do harm in the name of religion. That seems very bad. There are plenty of non-religious people who are good people who do good things without religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Religion has added beauty and meaning to the world and provides markers throughout our lives, e.g., baptism, Bar Mitzvah, religious marriages and funerals. Meanwhile, differences of opinion about religion have caused wars, prevented or ended marriages, etc.

Overall, Do you think that we’re better off with religion, or would be better off without it?

I have beauty and meaning without religion. If you need religion for that, more power to you.

[Anonymous]

Unless someone finds a great therapist, they are better off with religion.

[Anonymous]

Use religion like a buffet bar, pick what you need or like and leave the rest. Don't try to overeat or try everything because its there.

[Anonymous]

I don't think religion is inherently good or bad. Religion can provide social cohesion, community, moral guidance, and answers to existential questions. In a pluralistic society like ours, it creates competing world views and competing moral frameworks, which causes friction. Religion can also be harnessed for social control. At its worst, it can be an abusive hierarchical social system intended to consolidate power and keep people in line, as in a cult (it's worth noting that not all cults are religious - they can also be political, corporate, etc.). In my opinion, in the absence of religion, an abusive power hungry person will use other means to control others.

[Anonymous]

What good has believing in myths ever created?

[Anonymous]

I don't participate in organized religion.
But I do believe in a deity and that brings me comfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't participate in organized religion.
But I do believe in a deity and that brings me comfort.

How did you first learn about a deity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What good has believing in myths ever created?

Religion can create a lot of good:
Community. Shared purpose and values. A sense of belonging and responsibility for others.

Religion isn't the only way to create/find those things, but it is a way.