Aspects of Religion You Appreciate?

[_Some Schmo]

I guess if I had to come up with something I like about religion, it would be to say that it looks like some people need it in order to prevent them from behaving like psychopaths.

It’s unfortunate that there are people who are like that. Actually, I question whether the people who ask what’s to prevent them from murdering, raping, stealing, etc if there was no religion would really engage in those activities. But for those that would actually lose all inhibitions upon losing their religion, I’m glad they have it to keep them “sane.”

I imagine it’s an incredibly small percentage of the world’s religious population, however. I don't think people go to church to get morality instruction; they choose a church that complies with their own inherent sense of morality.

[_twinkie]

The church I went to as a child always served free donuts on Sunday. That was nice.

Seriously I enjoy the sense of community.

I don't have a lot of positive thoughts about religion right now, though.

[_Jersey Girl]

Thanks for starting a positive thread, Moniker.

Religion...fellowship, sense of community, a sense of continuity and groundedness, spiritual connectedness...

but I'm afraid I'm a closet Buddhist and fit in absolutely nowhere.

[_moksha]

Religion...fellowship, sense of community, a sense of continuity and groundedness, spiritual connectedness...

I would like to add loving and caring for one another to this list...

[_guy sajer]

I guess if I had to come up with something I like about religion, it would be to say that it looks like some people need it in order to prevent them from behaving like psychopaths.

It’s unfortunate that there are people who are like that. Actually, I question whether the people who ask what’s to prevent them from murdering, raping, stealing, etc if there was no religion would really engage in those activities. But for those that would actually lose all inhibitions upon losing their religion, I’m glad they have it to keep them “sane.”

I imagine it’s an incredibly small percentage of the world’s religious population, however. I don't think people go to church to get morality instruction; they choose a church that complies with their own inherent sense of morality.

Unlike the believer's fear that disbelief in God means moral anarchy, I tend to believe that religion, at the margin, has little impact on people's inherent goodness. Good people are good with or without religion and vice versa. (Generally speaking.) Religion can make a positive difference in cases, but it can also have the exact opposite effect in others. On balance, I think it is probably a wash, although I suspect that without 'dogmatic' religion, the world would be now and historically a much, much better place. Certainly the millions upon millions who have suffered at its hands would agree, no?

[_Gadianton]

There is, unfortunately, nothing good about religion. Oh yes, religion can make a positive difference, but only the same way heroin makes a positive difference to a heroin users. For newbies, it's a thrill, for addicts, it just becomes a necessity.

[_Moniker]

Well, I wasn't asking if religion was "good" or not, particularly. I was thinking more of cultural appreciation. Artistry?

For instance, I went to a really interesting exhibit of some early Mesopotamian culture (I can not for the life of me recall the particulars -- it's been a few years!) and found the artifacts really interesting. Their culture was intertwined with their religious beliefs. I think there are barbaric aspects to every culture and don't necessarily see religion as the source of the barbarism -- merely an expression of it, in many ways.

[_Jersey Girl]

No one has mentioned music. I love the old traditional hymns, Christmas carols, contemporary Christian music, Blue Grass gospel, more formal compositions such as Ave Maria but I have to say my all time favorite is African American Gospel...I totally love it!

[_Tarski]

Unlimited power over the cosmos, eternal life in a perfect body, and an eternity of perfectly cooked steaks for dinner. My question is....what's the downside?

The fact that it isn't real.

[_The Nehor]

Unlimited power over the cosmos, eternal life in a perfect body, and an eternity of perfectly cooked steaks for dinner. My question is....what's the downside?

The fact that it isn't real.

I meant a downside that would overwhelm the positive aspects. This is a rather insignificant issue. ;)