Organized Religion, Good or Bad?

[Ozme52]

Certainly not most organized religions. Nothing wrong with a belief in a higher being if it makes you comfortable.

Religion, per se, originally codified most of the ethics that are required for the human animal to flourish as a social animal.

And Judaism set down most of the necessary pre-refrigerant food rules, though they are mostly obsolete now. I, for one, still don't eat mammalian carnivores. Too many parasites in common with us. (I do enjoy a good piece of omnivore though... as Homer would say.... "Mmmmmmmm pork chops!!

[Lina]

While i will agree with the fact that a lot of bad stuff has been done in the name of religon (look at the crusades and the spanish inqisition) I think that everyone needs something to belive in. There is a quote from the movie "Serenity" that says "I don't care what you belive in. Just believe." I agree with this whole heartedly. I am an active Roman Catholic. THat works for me. While I don't agree with some of the things the church says I have found that it is what works best for me. My best friend is wiccan and we have another friend who doesn't belive in a "higher power" but does belive in the intent behind the constitution and is in the Army to keep the freedom that he belives in and holds dear. What isn't imposrtant is what you belive. What is important is that you belive.

[Sklaventreiber]

...we have another friend who doesn't belive in a "higher power" but does belive in the intent behind the constitution and is in the Army to keep the freedom that he belives in and holds dear. What isn't imposrtant is what you belive. What is important is that you belive.

Ahhhh I must agree with the latter part of your posting that he does indeed have a noble cause to believe in as I to believe the intent behind the Constitution...although I feel it is currently being underminded by or friend King George and his administration.

[AshesInYourMouth]

While i will agree with the fact that a lot of bad stuff has been done in the name of religon (look at the crusades and the spanish inqisition) I think that everyone needs something to belive in. There is a quote from the movie "Serenity" that says "I don't care what you belive in. Just believe." I agree with this whole heartedly. I am an active Roman Catholic. THat works for me. While I don't agree with some of the things the church says I have found that it is what works best for me. My best friend is wiccan and we have another friend who doesn't belive in a "higher power" but does belive in the intent behind the constitution and is in the Army to keep the freedom that he belives in and holds dear. What isn't imposrtant is what you belive. What is important is that you belive.

With this, I am going to have to disagree...

If there is anything that comes from organized religion or just the act of believing that affects our mind, I think that it most cases it does it in a negative way (granted there is positives=good morals and the such). When someone is 'believing', I think that it gets a little too close to settling, and it puts a working mind at ease (thus slows it).

For example, lets say that I am born into a Christian church, go to a private school that teaches the word of God and Jesus as the Savior, and I accept all of its teachings and become baptized, confirmed, and devout. In the next years of my life I will be likely to mold my customs and decisions around that of this religion. I will not experience, or in most cases even look to experience or grow as an individual when the case is not promoted or is against my religious code. If I believe, there will be cases where I am shutting myself down to opportunity and the possibility of new/different things.

Beliefs (and the organized religions that promote them) can be a great thing for security or a cornerstone for a person's life, but they can be just as dangerous as well.

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By the way, hello to all... 'twas my first post.