Is religion good or bad?

[aimeeandbeatles]

Debate. Hopefully it won't turn into a flamewar.

Poll coming.

 

[Cato the Elder]

The poll is flawed because I have to choose between it being absolutely good or absolutely bad. It's neither.

I think that, all in all, religion has done slightly more good than bad for humanity. I'd split it about 2/3 good, 1/3 bad.

 

[Winner]

Neither, it's just useless.

It's something like fashion - we don't really need it, but most people seem to care about it.

 

[dwaxe]

Unfortunately, billions of people staking their lives (and souls) on beliefs is more serious and dangerous than "fashion".

 

[flyingchicken]

Other. Most religions create worldviews which can be used for good or bad, whatever those mean.

 

[Camikaze]

It is inherently good. The aims of all religions (as far as I know) are to improve the world, and the lives of people in the world. So, religion itself, whilst sometimes being used as justification for bad things, is, essentially, good. And, no, it isn't just a giant conspiracy.

 

[BARBEERIAN]

It really depends on the religion, they all have their own score on the positive / negative scale. Generally I find that the more they preach about how other religions are wrong, the worse they are for humanity. So christianity and islam are among the worst, and I would say are pretty bad for humanity (not that they don't have some saving graces).

 

[Zelig]

It's good when people worship me.

 

[Moggy]

It depends on the religion really. The members of the "Baby Eating Cult" are quite bad but the people in the "Give Money to Moggy" cult are plenty cool.

If we are talking about real religions ( ) then while it is not for me, I think people have the right to believe whatever they like. One Christian (for example) doing a bad thing does not mean all Christians are evil.

There have been a lot of outrages throughout history committed in the name of various religion but I am sure people would have found another excuse to commit them if religion had never existed.

 

[Shekwan]

Organised religion is what makes religion really get ugly, as a basic set of principles on how to live ones life it can be useful. Overall I feel it is more bad than good though.

 

[El_Machinae]

It's a good way of channeling irrationality. If we were more rational, its utility would go down.

 

[Perfection]

Religion has served its purpose, it can go now.

 

[warpus]

Religion is alright, but it's way better with bacon bits.

 

[holy king]

Religion has served its purpose, it can go now.

rasist. ....

 

[Winner]

Religion is alright, but it's way better with bacon bits.

You Islamophobe!

 

[Mowque]

It hasn't done anything bad to me...

 

[Bast]

I assume this is going to be the usual Abrahamic-centric concept of religious discussion so it's probably best that I don't comment.

 

[holy king]

I assume this is going to be the usual Abrahamic-centric concept of religious discussion so it's probably best that I don't comment.

i love you.

 

[MobBoss]

It's a good way of channeling irrationality. If we were more rational, its utility would go down.

In turn, I will simply point out that most answers to this question in this forum will in turn be quite irrational....

 

[azzaman333]

Yes, religion is good or bad.