Possibly suggesting that religious beliefs were necessary for maintaining social order, Voltaire once wrote: "If God did not exist, he would have to be invented." Karl Marx agreed, calling it the "opium" of the masses. Yet, throughout history, religion has been used for both social order and disorder. For example, actions are sometimes taken in the name of God to help those who suffer from homelessness, hunger, or sickness. There are studies that suggest religion helps those who are depressed, and even studies that suggest kids with religious parents are better behaved and adjusted than other children. However, many innocent people have been murdered in the name of God. In fact, religious wars abound throughout history. Additionally, considering the power that religion has to proselytize its particular moral sanctions, religion can also be considered at odds with the power of government in that both religious leaders and politicians are competing for the power to control the actions of others. Putting aside whether or not an all-knowing, supernatural being exists, is society better-off having religion as a belief system?
FTA:
A new Ipsos poll commissioned for the November 26th Munk Debates on Religion in Toronto Canada featuring Tony Blair and Christopher Hitchens has found that the world is evenly divided on one of history's most vexing questions: is religion a force for good in the world?
When the debate framing question was put to 18,192 citizens of 23 nations worldwide, half (48%) agreed that "religion provides the common values and ethical foundations that diverse societies need to thrive in the 21st Century" whereas the other half (52%) agreed that "deeply held religious beliefs promote intolerance, exacerbate ethnic divisions, and impede social progress in developing and developed nations alike.
(You can find the full transcript of the debate between Tony Blair and Christopher Hitchens here and the video of the debate here)
DISCUSS!
Original posting by Braincrave Second Life staff on Feb 26, 2011 at http://www.braincrave.com/viewblog.php?id=484
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