Religions: A divisive force.

[lisah]

What good have the various religions given us? All I see throughout history are wars, Massacres, injustice, persecutions, inquisitions, Witch burnings, slavery; All in the name of God.

The little charity that does happen is almost always the result of what is left over after a large percentage of the donations have gone to private pockets.

Hmmm, I hear this a lot from people. However, even without religion the people responsible for such atrocities against others very well might have found another means to accomplish their goals.

I do not think such things can be blamed on religion in itself. It's people. When something is given a position of power, there will always be those who will seek to utilize that power.

As has been said:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton

"Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it" William Pitt


It is POWER that needs restrained (or governed) in mankind. I think that is what the story of Babel is about. The desire for POWER.


I also think that this is why Jesus insisted that in order to be his follower one had to consider his position of leadership as a position of service to others. I think that he was very aware of how easily any position of power can turn a person's ego into a danger and sought to avoid that.

However, it happened nonetheless.

 

[b&wpac4]

Hmmm, I hear this a lot from people. However, even without religion the people responsible for such atrocities against others very well might have found another means to accomplish their goals.

I do not think such things can be blamed on religion in itself. It's people. When something is given a position of power, there will always be those who will seek to utilize that power.

As has been said:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton

"Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it" William Pitt


It is POWER that needs restrained (or governed) in mankind. I think that is what the story of Babel is about. The desire for POWER.

I would agree with you. I think we like to latch onto any excuse to attack others. Religion is just a convenient one if your neighbor has a different one and you have decided you want their land/resources.

 

[tansy]

Hmmm, I hear this a lot from people. However, even without religion the people responsible for such atrocities against others very well might have found another means to accomplish their goals.

I do not think such things can be blamed on religion in itself. It's people. When something is given a position of power, there will always be those who will seek to utilize that power.

As has been said:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton

"Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it" William Pitt


It is POWER that needs restrained (or governed) in mankind. I think that is what the story of Babel is about. The desire for POWER.


I also think that this is why Jesus insisted that in order to be his follower one had to consider his position of leadership as a position of service to others. I think that he was very aware of how easily any position of power can turn a person's ego into a danger and sought to avoid that.

However, it happened nonetheless.

I think you've probably pretty much hit the naill on the head.

 

[HumbleServant94]

But would not any other religion say that?
Jews would say that Jesus and Muhammad were illegitimate, while Muslims would say that Jesus was misguided and Muhammad was the real "pwn-er-er". They advocate their own views, so what is there to make Christianity different from other religions?

How about a personal relationship with God? I haven't heard of religions that teach that. Or the fact that the Holy Spirit lives inside all Christians.