2008 Woodie Awards
Does religion help society? NO
Religion causes segregation between cultures as well as war and hate crimes.
By: Anna Mavromati
Issue date: 11/4/04 Section: Insight
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Everyone is entitled to have his or her own beliefs. The trouble arises when those beliefs are forced upon others. It is true that being religious or spiritual has helped individual people or even groups of people greatly.
But when it comes to society, history shows that religion has hurt more than helped. The fact is, one religion has not often helped society as a whole; especially if there is one dominant religion in a position of power.
Salem, Massa. in the 1600s is a good example of religion harming society more than helping it. The Salem Witch Trials killed many innocent people because of religious beliefs. Another example would be Adolf Hitler. He slaughtered millions of people simply because they were Jewish. The Medieval Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition also show how people took violent measures in order for their religion to reign supreme.
One of the problems with religion in society is that many strong believers of their religion are so convinced that their way of life is the only correct way to live that they try to convert and "save" the rest of the world. In many cases, people use their religion to give themselves power over others by converting and collecting a group of followers.
What people need to realize is that not everyone can or wants to conform to the same way of life. People need to put this in perspective when they try to preach their religion to other non-believers.
Of course, it is true that not all those who strongly have faith in their religion are extremists and intolerant of other religions. Many religious people are very friendly and open-minded about other religions.
But not everyone has such a tolorant attitude. Another point to consider is that religion is not the only way to teach morals and values. Many people who are not religious still have their own moral guidelines and boundaries. Either way, religion may be a good form of guidance for individuals; but once again, letting religion strongly influence all of society has never led to something good.
But when it comes to society, history shows that religion has hurt more than helped. The fact is, one religion has not often helped society as a whole; especially if there is one dominant religion in a position of power.
Salem, Massa. in the 1600s is a good example of religion harming society more than helping it. The Salem Witch Trials killed many innocent people because of religious beliefs. Another example would be Adolf Hitler. He slaughtered millions of people simply because they were Jewish. The Medieval Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition also show how people took violent measures in order for their religion to reign supreme.
One of the problems with religion in society is that many strong believers of their religion are so convinced that their way of life is the only correct way to live that they try to convert and "save" the rest of the world. In many cases, people use their religion to give themselves power over others by converting and collecting a group of followers.
What people need to realize is that not everyone can or wants to conform to the same way of life. People need to put this in perspective when they try to preach their religion to other non-believers.
Of course, it is true that not all those who strongly have faith in their religion are extremists and intolerant of other religions. Many religious people are very friendly and open-minded about other religions.
But not everyone has such a tolorant attitude. Another point to consider is that religion is not the only way to teach morals and values. Many people who are not religious still have their own moral guidelines and boundaries. Either way, religion may be a good form of guidance for individuals; but once again, letting religion strongly influence all of society has never led to something good.