Organized Religion, Good or Bad?

[cheeseburger]

Well, that's the point. The moment religion becomes "organized" it begins imposing on it's followers and making rules beyond the original precepts of the beliefs.

I would have to disagree. The moment there exist (at least) two people that jointly agree on a set of rules or guidelines that tell you how to live your life, you're talking about organized religion.

In no way does it follow that these people will impose anything on their followers - if you don't follow the rules, you aren't a part of that religion. Simple.

I agree that in the past many such organizations have, brutally, enforced their way of life on others. This has nothing to do with the concept of organized religion.

The only serious objection I have to organized religion (that doesn't participate in any illegal coercion) is that their children are more or less automatically signed on to the religion. They have little say in that (how do you ask a 2 year old what religion he belongs to?), and in some cases it leads to all kinds of stupidity.

But in principle, there's nothing wrong.

[karnautrahl]

I don't like the idea of religious beliefs having influence on my life and the laws that govern it. I can't quite decide if we'd be centuries ahead in terms of science and social maturity if religion hadn't come about or not. There are arguements both side of the fence on that one. However, I'd certainly fight for my right to not subscribe to anyone's belief systems. I do wish the radical muslims and radical christians would stfu and give up because those folks are a great danger to the world-note I'm on about extremists in particular. Those folks views to me are evil and of great danger to the freedom of all.