To conclude this blog I want to just say that while I don't agree with or subscribe to any 'Religious' beliefs, I have total respect for individuals' right to choose what they believe and not be persecuted for this. I don't feel bitter, or angry toward any Churchs, however, I feel sad for every member of these Churchs that don't know anything other than the Church and the way it operates. People should be able to think for themselves without having to please an invisible man the entire time. I am very aware that the majority of these people make the decision for themselves, however a baby hardly has a choice as to whether it's going to be baptised or not. I see Religion as holding people back from their true selves, and the fact that there are so many religious people in our world seems to be having a collectively detrimental effect on everybody as outlined in this blog. I have nothing against Religion as a whole - I am a huge believer in freedom of choice, although I do have a problem with the people involved with these Religions at times and the way they choose to spread their message. Religion has a fundamentally good message there is no doubt about it, but the way modern people have interpreted this message (or messages) has gone too far. The missions of most Religious institutions are failing - there are still poor and hungry people, and no body seems to be at peace, spiritually or mentally.
While I agree with your topic of argument, I'm afraid I find your position poorly presented. I feel you have come across more emotionally charged rather than academically sound. There are many great external references on the internet that could have been used to support your stance, for example an article on National Post's website which states "There is no doubt, however, that between the [Roman Catholic] church’s priceless art, land, gold and investments across the globe, it is one of the wealthiest institutions on Earth". Also, there are many complex political and religious issues that I feel should have been included to do this subject justice, such as exploring Queen Elizabeth II's role as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
ReplyDeleteIt is also a known fact that the majority of monetary donations to any non-profit or Religious organisation actually goes to the administration of the organisation, i.e. pay people's salary who run and manage the organisation. That's why a lot of the donations don't go into the hands of those in need. You can find a plethora of information on this on the internet.
It would have been nice for you to give some examples from the bible to support your argument where you state in your introduction, "Once again, if I may speak with knowledge of the Holy Book, I firmly believe God would have preferred kids to get presents and enjoy being children, especially families with little to give in the first place, as opposed to another 'amazing-wow' building in His name", so those of us who are not religiously inclined understand what you mean.
I do agree that Religion has created a culture of radical beliefs, and have caused a lot of irrationality in the human psyche. Many wars throughout history have been caused by the religion, which I've always found to be ironic as it seems to contradict the core teachings of religion, that of love and forgiveness.
Kudos for the Bill Hicks and Ricky Gervais video clips, they are both people I personally have great admiration for.
Hi Max,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see different views toward religion from people with western culture background.
First of all, I like the wallpaper you choose as your background and I have some questions about your format:
1. It's very interesting that I found your "conclusion" part at the top of the article, above all the other parts. Is this the way it supposed to be?
2. I think it's better when the reader clicks the hyperlink, it can be opened in a new page.
Here are my comments on your topic:
Your point that Religion does more harm for people than good is based on the situation that some religious institution and people control and manipulate the believers in the name of God and normal people are too vulnerable to refuse because of its influential power.
Therefore, why does religion have so much power to influence people? Why there are 84% believers in the world, IF it is so bad? Why it’s so attractive to the majority? I think from the very beginning, Religion means good to human being. How do we define something is good or not? If the purpose is good, the way it is carried out is good and the result is good, I think we can say this is a good thing.
When I read your blog the problem I can see it not the purpose of Religion, as you mentioned “the mission is failed”, which means you do agree Religion is carrying a good mission to human being at the beginning. The problem I can see nowadays it the way people conduct the mission, the way people run the church.
I agree with you that church shouldn’t ask money from the believers. People should be willing to donate instead of being asked to do so. In Genesis, Abram has built 4 altars to worship God; none of them can be compared with these luxury altars in our present day. Is it ok? Of course, it is. This is what he wanted to do. The point is free will.
You said “a baby hardly has a choice as to whether it’s going to be baptised or not”. Of course he’s too young to make his own choice at that stage. However, after he grow up he’s still free to choice he believe in it or not, like you. Although you went to Catholic school for over 12 years, you can still choose to be atheist.
A Fillet Knife can be used to prepare delicious food; while at the same time it can be used to kill and mutilate a human body. Can you say knife is more harmful for us than helpful, because of its sharpness?
Hi Max,
ReplyDeleteGreat topic to pick on, being atheist myself I also agree upon how you have total respect for those who subscribe with a religion.
I found that your sentence "I don't feel bitter, or angry toward any Churchs, however, I feel sad for every member of these Churchs that don't know anything other than the Church and the way it operates." is very interesting. My point of view is that a religion may not necessarily be the one who limits the views of their members (as opposed to the media). Of course what you say may be neither wrong or right, the intensity of how much they subscribe to the religion is of more importance. It is also dependent on the personal views of each individual. Have you considered that perhaps those who are members are only there to seek guidance and they are still the ones who make the final decision?
Some religions enforce various practices that may not seem acceptable because we are not part of it. I know from personal experience when visiting a certain Asian province, in which part of the religion and also tradition is that if you walk into a girl's bedroom even by accident, you are forced to marry that girl. So I can understand why you think religion has a negative impact. Perhaps it is too extreme.
However, some religions do provide the "spiritual or mental" sanctuary that some may need in order to have a world view, or more importantly a sense of belonging.
Intensity is very important to consider too, another personal example I can give you is that my mother is an atheist, but believes in god's existence and therefore never speaks badly about gods.
Something that your argument made me think about was that perhaps being an atheist ourselves is also a form of religion that may be even more on edge because we deny all entry of religion from entering our lives. On the surface we say we have no religion, and in reality we have no practices, but perhaps the practice is that we have no practice and we keep other religions out.
Great job though, thumbs up!
This topic has been an interest of mine for some time, and I am glad to have read your argument. It was very convincing and explanatory. I especially agree with how religion affects some people, how they take the rules they are meant to follow quite literally, and with disastrous consequences as you mentioned previously when using those two shocking examples. It is terrible to think that religion caused such horrible outcomes to those people.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very unfair that everyone has to abide by the rules of religion except for some (as in your first picture examples (which were very clever and funny by the way)) and how religion is very centered around money, which is rather confusing.
I think that religion should definitely be a choice, and not forced upon people. It may be hard for those born into religious families to try and break away from that religion and still be accepted by their family and friends just because they may not agree with the rules and ideals.
So, I am going to remain atheist, and if atheism is indeed a religion of its own, then I welcome the freedom to choose what I believe in, whether it be aliens or a higher power.
I enjoy the way you respect the religions of others, and I have to say I found your topic very interesting to read! The examples you used were very shocking but really great for drawing in the reader.
This was really, really interesting!
One of the reasons that I was never able to get on board with religion totally was that a lot of the time it seemed quite hypocritical. There's this one advert that for bibles in Africa that really irks me, the focus of the ad is to end the bible famine in Africa, not to help end the actual famine in Africa. Others argue that the focus is put on the eternal sould and spirituality of a person, not on the physical body. Although I can see their reasons for this it still irks me, surely the focus should be on ensuring that people are not starving or dying of easily preventable diseases?
ReplyDeleteYou make some very good points about the distribution of wealth and it use, particularly within the Catholic Church. But I was also wondering whether you think that the corruption in the Catholic church is likely to remain, particularly with the new, more altruistic, pope. While many of the old views are likely to remain unchanged, do you think that more people are going to be encouraged to donte money to charities and other causes?