Is Religion Damaging?

[naomi24]

A friend distraught and in floods of tears called me today. Her daughter has split from her selfish, uncaring husband. ‘’Good”, you might say, as I did, but no, it isn’t good because my friend is a God-fearing Baptist and now fervently believes that because her beloved daughter vowed before God to remain with the man she married until death, she is destined for hell - and nothing but nothing will convince her otherwise. She is in misery.

Is religion damaging? Yes - indeed it is.

[Theland]

Khandro is not a coward, you just like to begin name calling to stir things up for your own amusement.

[naomi24]

Theland, it makes you sad? Really? Well, tough. What you promote is no less damaging. You should be ashamed of yourself. This is what you and people like you are doing to other people. You make them afraid of life - and even more afraid of death.

[naomi24]

23:28, grow up.

[Theland]

David Small, good answer.
Naomi, insulting people does nothing for you except to amuse you. Yes that is sad.
Count me out, best wishes to your friend who needs truth not misleading teaching from her pastor.

[naomi24]

Theland, not insults - truth - and it clearly hurts.

[mibn2cweus]

The sad truth is these people are all victims of faith . . . their own. Any allowances or excuses for religion and faith should infuriate those who have made them for without the support of the best amongst us the evil of sacrifice would have long ago fallen to self-annihilation.

[ummmm]

I think Thelands religion is youtube.

Yes, religion can be very damaging. A cult has recently been closed down in my town. 'The Jesus Army' if anyone can be bothered to Google...after numerous accusations of sexual abuse.

They preyed on the vulnerable and got people to sign over their assets to them, took all their money and any benefits money.

They owned so much in this town. They were damaging and brainwashing...

Growing up as I did I don't think going to church on a Sunday was too damaging.

[Theland]

Ummmm they surely are criminal.

[Theland]

Ummmm - YouTube is a great resource and free lectures are available to all.
It is convenient to hear experts in various fields provide views that otherwise would be beyond our reach, certainly mine.
To compare it to a religion is either a weak attempt at humour, or a totally unfounded grasp of its content or use.
I use it to not only get information from Christian apologists and experts on theology, but also to listen to atheist viewpoints and evolutionists.
Is any of that a cause for criticism or mockery?

[Theland]

Mibs - It appears that you no longer keep an open mind.
Like all other atheists on here, there is never even the vaguest attempt to construct an idea of an answer to the so called big questions.
Anyway, I'm glad that you at least make the effort to post once in a while.

[ummmm]

They are criminal. That's my point, Theland, you don't follow a religion...so what do you know about what goes on in churches..

Would you stand up and say your piece or would you turn a blind eye? A blind eye in the name of religion...

[Theland]

I would always speak up for truth.

[mibn2cweus]

Theland,
I post for those who might find my ideas worth investigating, those who might have the capacity to appreciate them. I don't hold out much hope for the others and none at all for those whose prioritise belief over understanding.

[Mozz71]

Religion itself is not damaging, but a belief so fanatical that it clouds ones perception of reality is dangerous.

[waterboatman]

I've been all over this world of ours and seen a wide variety of religions, not a single one of them makes an ounce of sense.

[ummmm]

You don't know the truth. None of us do!

[Theland]

Mibs - If you refer to blind faith then yes I agree.
My faith is not blind and I adhere to the evidence for it.
But, that evidence is disputed on here, and that leaves me open to criticism.
Again, there is never an attempt to answer the big questions.

[Theland]

Ummmm - Only somebody in procession of all human knowledge could make that statement.

[emmie]

it is, that's why i play no part in it whatsoever. I have seen what it's done to friends, luckily family have no religious leanings so that comforts me

[Theland]

Emmie - What has it done to friends? What denominations?