Religion, Good or Bad?

[Benuty]

I have a feeling people have no literal idea whatsoever about what the Crusades were initiated for (it is almost like they want to believe the Crusades were inherently evil).

[Roski]

Religion within itself is not bad.


The people who practice the religions are what make them seem bad (or good).

Based off of what I know in history, the people practicing religion have done more harm than good, but at the same time, it challenged people to think. Many people wanted to bring down the Church.

And we thank these people for most of our scientific achievements to date

So you are saying that religion advanced science... by opposing science?

Religon advanced science by being there. When the printing press was made, many astrological finds came almost immediately after

[The USOT]

I have a feeling people have no literal idea whatsoever about what the Crusades were initiated for (it is almost like they want to believe the Crusades were inherently evil).

Which crusades? And from which perspective?

I dont mean "a marxist view of history" etc but I mean which people?

The pious farmer marching in defence of his faith will have a very different reason for volunteering towards the crusades as opposed to the pope.

[Benuty]

I have a feeling people have no literal idea whatsoever about what the Crusades were initiated for (it is almost like they want to believe the Crusades were inherently evil).

Which crusades? And from which perspective?

I dont mean "a marxist view of history" etc but I mean which people?

The pious farmer marching in defence of his faith will have a very different reason for volunteering towards the crusades as opposed to the pope.

The first 3 by far are the most justified (the 4th was a travesty of aggression against the very people who helped start the Crusades). From a defensive point of view (on behalf of Byzantium the 1st and 3rd were successful (albeit the 3rd only partially since Richard made peace with Saladin who would ironically die in short time). I will not excuse the massacre of Jerusalem although the Islamic forces are hardly innocent (considering thousands of battles had been fought before the idea of the crusades were even thought of). As for the "people" it is mostly a phrase considering all the crusade bashing I have seen on several threads as of late. I will admit while the Pope's had sometimes more dubious reasons for sponsoring the crusades Pope Urban II certainly had a good reason ( the request from the throne of Emperor Alexios for aid against the Turkish forces).

[Sociobiology]

So you are saying that religion advanced science... by opposing science?

Religon advanced science by being there. When the printing press was made, many astrological finds came almost immediately after

so religion advanced science approximately as much as masonry did.

[Sociobiology]

Religion is essentially a good thing. Like any cause or philosophy, however, throughout history it has been warped and bent to the will of people seeking to use it for their own purposes, purposes which many would classify as "evil."

how is misinformation inherently good?

[Patistan]

What would the world look like without religion?

Not necessarily better or worse: but a lot SIMPLER.

and kind of screwed up

[Old Tyrannia]

Religion is essentially a good thing. Like any cause or philosophy, however, throughout history it has been warped and bent to the will of people seeking to use it for their own purposes, purposes which many would classify as "evil."

how is misinformation inherently good?

It's not misinformation. There's every chance that a god may exist. Even if one doesn't, religion can prove a powerful force for good in this world. It offers hope, unity and moral guidance. People turn to faith in times of need and it can help them get through those times.

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

how is misinformation inherently good?

It's not misinformation. There's every chance that a god may exist. Even if one doesn't, religion can prove a powerful force for good in this world. It offers hope, unity and moral guidance. People turn to faith in times of need and it can help them get through those times.

How can it prove this?

[Lost heros]

Not necessarily better or worse: but a lot SIMPLER.

and kind of screwed up

How would things be screwed up?

[Vorkova]

I have a feeling people have no literal idea whatsoever about what the Crusades were initiated for (it is almost like they want to believe the Crusades were inherently evil).

I thought the crusades where initially to relieve pressure of off Byzantium?

[Benuty]

I have a feeling people have no literal idea whatsoever about what the Crusades were initiated for (it is almost like they want to believe the Crusades were inherently evil).

I thought the crusades where initially to relieve pressure of off Byzantium?

The 1st most certainly was intended to get the Turks to back off(by creating a zone of control between Byzantium and the Turks) while also restoring control to Jerusalem (and re-allow pilgrimages to the city). The 2nd was a reaction to the fall of the County of Edessa (which exposed other Crusader states to potential collapse). The 3rd was mostly a war of relief for the sake of Jerusalem (whose capital and much of the kingdom had fallen thus causing them to retreat to Acre) it ended only partially restoring the kingdom.

[Forty Twoania]

So you are saying that religion advanced science... by opposing science?

Religon advanced science by being there. When the printing press was made, many astrological finds came almost immediately after

Religion advanced science very little it has fought tooth and nail against almost every change for the better in society. The Printing Press's invention had very little to due do with religion yes the first book printed was a bible but that was mostly because that was the only book most common people had. The Catholic church refused to believe any new astrological finds. The printing press did not cause astrological findings they are completely separate events

[Benuty]

Religon advanced science by being there. When the printing press was made, many astrological finds came almost immediately after

Religion advanced science very little it has fought tooth and nail against almost every change for the better in society. The Printing Press's invention had very little to due do with religion yes the first book printed was a bible but that was mostly because that was the only book most common people had. The Catholic church refused to believe any new astrological finds. The printing press did not cause astrological findings they are completely separate events

The printing press certainly mass produced said findings (ergo so the scientific community could thrive even with persecution).

[Resawa]

Honestly, I don't care so much your religious beliefs as whether you have morals

[Resawa]

Also, while this isn't a strong point for me since I fall into this category, but I have not seen a religious war not relating to Christianity or Islam

[Sun Wukong]

Also, while this isn't a strong point for me since I fall into this category, but I have not seen a religious war not relating to Christianity or Islam

Probably because history classed tend to be Eurocentric.

Look up the Flower wars. For instance.

[The USOT]

Also, while this isn't a strong point for me since I fall into this category, but I have not seen a religious war not relating to Christianity or Islam

What do you consider a religious war?

[Resawa]

Also, while this isn't a strong point for me since I fall into this category, but I have not seen a religious war not relating to Christianity or Islam

What do you consider a religious war?

A war fought under the express purpose of different religious beliefs (or that being the justification of said war, ala the crusades)

[Sun Wukong]

What do you consider a religious war?

A war fought under the express purpose of different religious beliefs (or that being the justification of said war, ala the crusades)

That would necessarily include every battle the Vikings ever fought.

[Greater Beggnig]

Religion can be used for both good and bad, it can be used to bring hope and give people a reason to live in the darkest times, or be used to gain power and an excuse to exterminate opponents.

Like This?

[Benuty]

A war fought under the express purpose of different religious beliefs (or that being the justification of said war, ala the crusades)

That would necessarily include every battle the Vikings ever fought.

I for one would love to witness the Invasion of England in the war of the brothers.

[Dyakovo]

Hello everyone!! This is my first time posting a thread, and wanted to ask. What would the world look like without religion?

This is purely personal opinion.
If you make a statement (e.g. Religion is good) please make a reason and why its good (e.g. Religion is good, because...)
Try too keep this civilised and provide evidence of your beliefs.
Don't repeat your statements, these'll be regarded as spam and made not applicable.
Pictures are allowed if you so want them.

Religion is neither inherently good, nor inherently bad.

[Roski]

Religon advanced science by being there. When the printing press was made, many astrological finds came almost immediately after

so religion advanced science approximately as much as masonry did.

What does that mean?

[Irredento]

Also, while this isn't a strong point for me since I fall into this category, but I have not seen a religious war not relating to Christianity or Islam

You should read up on the life of Emperor Ashoka who essentially spread Buddhism throughout India by the sword.

A lot of people in the West, particularly young people rebelling against their Christian parents,like to cling to Buddhism as some sort of barely-even-religious religion that is oh-so-peaceful but, as with any and all ideologies or beliefs, religious or otherwise, it can be used to justify war but can also foster political unity among disparate peoples once conquered, both of which were the case with Ashoka.