Religion and Motivation

[trotsky]

There seems to be a difference of opinion going on as to what religion is capable of inspiring in people. What do readers of this group think?

3 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Time expired
	Religion can only motivate people to do good things.
	0 (0%)
	Religion can motivate people to do good AND bad things.
	3 (100%)
	Religion can only motivate people to do bad things.
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[hrmjustin]

1. People have used religion to do horrible things.

Others have done good in the name of religion. Fundamentalism never works out in the end.

peace

[trotsky]

2. I'm curious about your two different phrasings.

Why do you say that horrible things come from people "using" religion, but that good things are done "in the name of" religion?

Is there a distinction you're making?

[hrmjustin]

3. I don't think so..

I was trying to say people have done good and bad in the name of religion. Sorry i was not clear, but I don't think i meant anything by what i typed.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. Most religions are hierarchical authoritarian and irrational. What could possibly go wrong?

[Adsos Letter]

5. I'm probably naturally obtuse

but choice #2 seems like a no-brainer to me. I haven't ever gotten the sense that anyone in this group thinks otherwise.

Could be that I've missed some posts like that, perhaps from one of the recently tombstoned.

[trotsky]

6. I agree that choice #2 seems to be a no-brainer.

But on several threads I've participated in, I have witnessed some people insist that religion couldn't possibly have played a role in a negative event. It is interesting that none of them have voted in this poll.

[Adsos Letter]

8. "...some people insist that religion couldn't possibly have played a role in a negative event."

Wow. That would require a profound degree of historical ignorance on someone's part!

Thanks for answering.

[goldent]

9. Any negative event, or a particular negative event? nt

[Meshuga]

7. Motivation to do good or bad, of course

There are people of faith who are inspired by their religion to do good and there are people who are inspired by their faith to commit atrocities.

The thread about the 14 year old Bengali girl who was beaten to death provides an explicit example of the bad stuff.