I was reading some quotes and I came across one that just smacked me right in the face. It was quite humbling and while this might be the unpopular thing to agree with, I feel this quote is absolutely true. Do you guys agree with this quote? Why or why not?
"With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion." - Steven Weinberg
It's an argument atheists often make against organized religion, that organized religion is the reason for all the world's violence and despair, and not because of sin and evil. True, some religions promote violence and the people in them do evil things, but the truth is everyone who doesn't walk in light, walks in darkness and is therefore doing evil. I think the phrase deserves no merit.
It's an argument atheists often make against organized religion, that organized religion is the reason for all the world's violence and despair, and not because of sin and evil. True, some religions promote violence and the people in them do evil things, but the truth is everyone who doesn't walk in light, walks in darkness and is therefore doing evil. I think the phrase deserves no merit.
I can see why atheists would make this argument. Though, I this has nothing to do with the validity or invalidity of this quote.
I think the fact you admit that "some religions promote violence" should at the very least give it a tiny bit of "merit". It's almost contradicting. =p
I do agree with you about "anyone who doesn't walk in light, walks in darkness" however. If we aren't serving God we are serving the Adversary.
I think it's important to differentiate "religion" from our "walk with Christ." To me, the terms "religion" and "religious" are in reference to denominational churches that have a set standard of beliefs; Inspired by God but otherwise completely and utterly man-made. Over time, religious denominations tend to adapt their way of thinking in a manner that conforms with society. For example: slavery, interracial marriage, gender roles, etc... all have changed in the last few centuries while the Gospel of Jesus Christ has stayed consistent from day one; While religious Christian denominations once frown on these "abominations" that went against these beliefs, they have eased up to the point it is almost long forgotten.
I suppose whether or not religion is a bad thing would depend on your view of religion.
James 1:27 -Pure religion- and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
The funny thing is, is that I can't see why atheists would make that argument, because a lot of people who have no faith at all have killed people. They lack a fear of God and they are depraved in their sinfulness, while others kill in the name of God, but the God they think they serve is false.
The reason I give that quote no merit is because people kill people, and religion has absolutely nothing to do with it. Sin has a lot to do with it, but atheists don't care to hear it, because they are lost and don't know when they're sinning.
I want to thank you for posting James 1:27. I feel this is a lost scripture that I completely agree what "pure/true religion" is and ought to be.
Now then, we have to keep in mind that religion in general doesn't just blanket Christianity. It covers all faiths and all Gods, including and not limited to, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam (many branches), etc...
"...the God they think they serve is false". That is actually almost the entire point. While you and I are completely convinced it is not the God we worship, "religious" people do in fact worship those Gods. Even the worshiping of Satan is considered a religious act. For this reason, we can look at modern-day and history to see how millions of innocent people have been murdered in the name of God. The Crusades, the hostility of Muslims and Jews, the attack on 9/11, and many more examples can be found that religion (NOT exclusive with Christianity) is a KEY cause of bloodshed.
