Religion: Part of the Problem/Part of the Solution?

[stopbush]

All things considered (dogma, intolerance, charity, social experience, etc) and in black and white terms.

Vote below:

[sam sarrha]

1. religion is something that belongs in the home, and kept to ones self

then it isnt a problem for me.

[saltpoint]

2. Ya need more categories.

At the grocery store, I want more on the shelf besides green beans and paper towels.

[stopbush]

5. No, the parameters of THIS poll were "black & white" choices.

You can always do your own poll with more choices. :)

[saltpoint]

6. No need to be so touchy.

One reads what folks post and hopes to participate.

[stopbush]

7. Didn't mean to be touchy. I just thought that I had disclaimed the

parameters of the poll upfront. I thought about offering more choices...but then, the Greens would have gotten involved! :)

[saltpoint]

8. You did put them in and I should have picked it up --

-- sooner. Apologies.

To add one thing -- I had a conversation that kind of included your poll question with a friend recently. He is in the process of abandoning fundamental Christianity for a sort of free-form paganism. So your question really resonated with me.

Good wishes to you, and peace.

[Az]

20. Then many will not be able to answer

The problem is not black and white. Much like life is not black and white. It is a complex dance and religion plays both part of the solution and the problem. Furthermore religion is not just one monolithic entity. There are more variations of religion than there are colors in the rainbow. Some are problematic while some are healing to society. Your poll though well meaning is unanswerable in its form.

[nine23]

3. When it comes to polls like these...

...I like to try and keep them accurate. However, I was tempted to vote "Part of the Problem" X 1000.

WHAT PART OF "RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM" (US FUNDIE AND/OR ISLAMIST VARIETY) DO PEOPLE NOT FUCKING UNDERSTAND?

[nine23]

4. Whoever voted "Part of the Solution", please explain...

I'm waiting. Please explain. Enlighten me, and feel free to go back a few centuries chronologically if need be.

I'm fucking waiting.

[InvisibleBallots]

11. I did

Just to piss you off :)

[catbert836]

13. Organized religion

It has been the top killer in human society ever. But face it, people (not all people, I might add) need a little spirituality in their lives. religion can provide that, and so I think it could be part of the solution eventually if we try hard enough.

[InvisibleBallots]

18. oh well, at least in the last century

Communism sure gave religion a run for its money, huh?

[More Than A Feeling]

21. I voted part of the solution

Domination has little to do with the actual teachings of the great religions. Therefore, if those who live those teachings stand up in the name of reclaiming their faith, that would be a powerful force for good.

[InvisibleBallots]

9. What is the problem, and what is the solution?

?

[Coyote_Bandit]

10. Both Part of the Problem and Solution

Faith based actions will only be changed for faith based reasons. And the liberal Christians seem to be too busy passing out warm fuzzies and accepting everyone to challenge the perversion of the gospel by the fundies. Jesus was a revolutionary and many of his teachings were very liberal. I could feel sorry or God - seems good help is hard to find.

[catbert836]

12. It has been part of the problem

But we can make it a solution.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Depends on the situation

The question is too broad.

[lazarus]

15. Not just part of the problem

a HUGE part of the problem. Possibly THE problem.

[txaslftist]

16. It's both

Religion HAS value, despite the fairly deep resentment it can breed. The New Testament is chock full of valuable things that religion has to offer. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you..." Can you seriously disagree with that as a guide for living? That comes from a patently religious source...

On the other hand, when religion is used as a bludgeon, ie- "I got it and you don't therefore you are a godless heathen and shouldn't be listened to"; or "Religion should guide our policy towards Israel" or worst of all: "End Times is here, therefore we don't need to worry about the environment or the deficit because we'll get raptured and won't be around to suffer long term consequences." That is total bullshit and definitely part of the problem.

Back to the first point, however: The Red Cross, the Red Crescent, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X's embrace of Islam... All of these are just 'top of my head' examples of religion being part of the solution, and in the case of the latter two individuals, an integral and indispensible part. Can one seriously argue that religion was part of the problem with Mhatma Ghandi?

On balance, I would have to go with religion being an overall positive, but admittedly a close call.

Good question.

[Dervill Crow]

23. Good answer.

eom

[Az]

17. Religion is a function of society

But it can go off the tracks so to speak. Religion is basically a function served by people coming together for support and collective pondering. But occaisionally an aggresive form of religion takes hold and develops a dogmatic authoratative structure which then becomes destructive to those not involved.

[RUDUing2]

19. both.

When used correctly religion is part of the solution since religion offers hope and something to turn to in times of need. Also religion requires things of people..love, inclusion, charity, etc..

However when perverted by people it becomes part of the problem and a vehicle for hate bigotry prejudice and fanaticism

Religion has been responsible for both great good and great evil in the world.

[Az]

22. Both the good and the bad come from people

Whether a religion is initiated by a real event or not the events that follow are all products of humans. Every story. Every alteration. It is one person telling another person what they believe. Sometimes it is good. Sometimes it is bad.