Organized Religion seems harmful

[Anonymous]

I'm having a hard time seeing the benefits of organized religion, especially fundamental sects like Evangelicalism Christianity. To believe in a book written 2000 years ago about a man who died, rose again, and burning bushes, and a big ark...doesn't it just seem a little far-fetched? Studies also shows adherents to organized religions are more close minded, than agnostics, atheists and people who are just generally spiritual. What keeps you wrapped up in it? How can you disregard the thousands of other religions around the world and say "no, this is it. This is the one. I know it. Those others are wrong and something bad will happen to them for not believing in my religion."? Is that not a divisive mindset? I also worry about children being indoctrinated so early. They have no control over their beliefs and those neural synapses that form memories are so comprised at such a young age. Okay, thanks for listening.

[Anonymous]

That is not the attitude or belief system of most religions. You have a lot more to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time seeing the benefits of organized religion, especially fundamental sects like Evangelicalism Christianity. To believe in a book written 2000 years ago about a man who died, rose again, and burning bushes, and a big ark...doesn't it just seem a little far-fetched? Studies also shows adherents to organized religions are more close minded, than agnostics, atheists and people who are just generally spiritual. What keeps you wrapped up in it? How can you disregard the thousands of other religions around the world and say "no, this is it. This is the one. I know it. Those others are wrong and something bad will happen to them for not believing in my religion."? Is that not a divisive mindset? I also worry about children being indoctrinated so early. They have no control over their beliefs and those neural synapses that form memories are so comprised at such a young age. Okay, thanks for listening.

Yes, it is a devisive mindset. However, not all religions think that way. They value their religion and other religions as well and think their religion works best for them. Some eastern religions are like this, as well as some forms of liberal Christianity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is not the attitude or belief system of most religions. You have a lot more to learn.

It is the mindset of many religions, but not all. Many forms of Christianity believe that and teach it to children. Other forms are more open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time seeing the benefits of organized religion, especially fundamental sects like Evangelicalism Christianity. To believe in a book written 2000 years ago about a man who died, rose again, and burning bushes, and a big ark...doesn't it just seem a little far-fetched? Studies also shows adherents to organized religions are more close minded, than agnostics, atheists and people who are just generally spiritual. What keeps you wrapped up in it? How can you disregard the thousands of other religions around the world and say "no, this is it. This is the one. I know it. Those others are wrong and something bad will happen to them for not believing in my religion."? Is that not a divisive mindset? I also worry about children being indoctrinated so early. They have no control over their beliefs and those neural synapses that form memories are so comprised at such a young age. Okay, thanks for listening.

I'm with you on this 100%. I've been going to church lately for the first time ever because DD's best friend's dad is a priest, and I sit in on the service while the girls play. I don't understand it. I am somewhat spiritual, so the usefulness/power of faith is clear. But the burning bushes, the man who died and rose again, Noah's arc with two of each animals, these to me seem like myths/symbols or children's storybook versions of Christianity. I would be much more likely to believe the religion if the priest explained what these stories are REALLY about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time seeing the benefits of organized religion, especially fundamental sects like Evangelicalism Christianity. To believe in a book written 2000 years ago about a man who died, rose again, and burning bushes, and a big ark...doesn't it just seem a little far-fetched? Studies also shows adherents to organized religions are more close minded, than agnostics, atheists and people who are just generally spiritual. What keeps you wrapped up in it? How can you disregard the thousands of other religions around the world and say "no, this is it. This is the one. I know it. Those others are wrong and something bad will happen to them for not believing in my religion."? Is that not a divisive mindset? I also worry about children being indoctrinated so early. They have no control over their beliefs and those neural synapses that form memories are so comprised at such a young age. Okay, thanks for listening.

I'm with you on this 100%. I've been going to church lately for the first time ever because DD's best friend's dad is a priest, and I sit in on the service while the girls play. I don't understand it. I am somewhat spiritual, so the usefulness/power of faith is clear. But the burning bushes, the man who died and rose again, Noah's arc with two of each animals, these to me seem like myths/symbols or children's storybook versions of Christianity. I would be much more likely to believe the religion if the priest explained what these stories are REALLY about.

A Priest with a daughter suggests you are going to an Episcopal church. Many of them do see religion as myth, but they may not make that very clear during the services or in Sunday school.

[Anonymous]

The shroud of Turin is the only man made item that science cannot figure out how to duplicate. And it is the image of crucified Christ.

[Anonymous]

I am a Catholic. I believe that God is love. That's my faith in a nutshell. I respect other religions (or no religions)
and I hope they respect mine. Going to Mass every week, sending my children to Catholic school, saying the rosary, praying (even when I don't feel like it), reading the Bible and other inspirational literature (including evangelical Christian daily readings from my sister-in-law), listening to Catholic radio- encourages me to be a better, kinder person.
My faith and the church aren't perfect, because of the human component, but I can't deny the basic premise-
God is love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is not the attitude or belief system of most religions. You have a lot more to learn.

+1

Plus the organized atheist systems of Nazism and Communism weren't harmful at all.

[Anonymous]

Well, I spent a few hours today at my synagogue at a talk on a secular topic of great interest to many of us. It is nice that the organized structure of our faith gives us membership in a community where we can share our expertise and help each other.

FYI, we would not have turned away and "extras" who showed up to learn with us.

Without the organization bringing us together, and the big effort we undertake to keep the building standing, we couldn't do these other things anymore than we could pray together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Catholic. I believe that God is love. That's my faith in a nutshell. I respect other religions (or no religions)
and I hope they respect mine. Going to Mass every week, sending my children to Catholic school, saying the rosary, praying (even when I don't feel like it), reading the Bible and other inspirational literature (including evangelical Christian daily readings from my sister-in-law), listening to Catholic radio- encourages me to be a better, kinder person.
My faith and the church aren't perfect, because of the human component, but I can't deny the basic premise-
God is love.

Wow. This is truly one of the best expressions about why "being spiritual" isn't the same as supporting an actual community. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The shroud of Turin is the only man made item that science cannot figure out how to duplicate. And it is the image of crucified Christ.

And this means Christianity is the one true religion? If so, which of the many off-shoots is the right one to follow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time seeing the benefits of organized religion, especially fundamental sects like Evangelicalism Christianity. To believe in a book written 2000 years ago about a man who died, rose again, and burning bushes, and a big ark...doesn't it just seem a little far-fetched? Studies also shows adherents to organized religions are more close minded, than agnostics, atheists and people who are just generally spiritual. What keeps you wrapped up in it? How can you disregard the thousands of other religions around the world and say "no, this is it. This is the one. I know it. Those others are wrong and something bad will happen to them for not believing in my religion."? Is that not a divisive mindset? I also worry about children being indoctrinated so early. They have no control over their beliefs and those neural synapses that form memories are so comprised at such a young age. Okay, thanks for listening.

yes, Far fetched -- that's why faith is so important in religion and why doubt is a natural part of faith. It takes real faith to believe some of the things religion expects you to believe. Not everyone can do it for a sustained period. But the rewards are great if ultimately you can hold on to faith, despite having doubts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time seeing the benefits of organized religion, especially fundamental sects like Evangelicalism Christianity. To believe in a book written 2000 years ago about a man who died, rose again, and burning bushes, and a big ark...doesn't it just seem a little far-fetched? Studies also shows adherents to organized religions are more close minded, than agnostics, atheists and people who are just generally spiritual. What keeps you wrapped up in it? How can you disregard the thousands of other religions around the world and say "no, this is it. This is the one. I know it. Those others are wrong and something bad will happen to them for not believing in my religion."? Is that not a divisive mindset? I also worry about children being indoctrinated so early. They have no control over their beliefs and those neural synapses that form memories are so comprised at such a young age. Okay, thanks for listening.

yes, Far fetched -- that's why faith is so important in religion and why doubt is a natural part of faith. It takes real faith to believe some of the things religion expects you to believe. Not everyone can do it for a sustained period. But the rewards are great if ultimately you can hold on to faith, despite having doubts.

The rewards include a community of people to help you when needed throughout life, and depending on the religion, and eternal life after death. That's where the faith comes in.

A lot of religions are kind of vague about their beliefs - especially the ones that some people find hard to accept, but it's not required to openly believe a lot of stuff to partake of the benefits offered by the communities -- friendship, help when you need it, socializing, children's activities, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is not the attitude or belief system of most religions. You have a lot more to learn.

+1

Plus the organized atheist systems of Nazism and Communism weren't harmful at all.

Labeling Nazis as atheist is exactly the opposite of what actually happened. The Nazis were Christians, not atheists. The Nazis banned atheist organizations and closed secular schools. Heinrich Himmler did not allow atheists into the SS. In fact, the Nazis were very anti-atheist in part because of their hatred for the "godless Communists." Overwhelmingly, the Holocaust was perpetrated and enforced by Christians, not atheists. The Nazi regime was unquestionably a Christian regime, not an atheist regime.