Proposed Topic: Are Organized Religions Good For Us?
Definitions, please:
organized: not disorderly, chaotic.
In this sense, all religions are organized; usually, there is the super entity, the sub-but-superior-than-human-entities (in some religions, not all), and there are the humans. This can be seen as a hierarchy in which the top benefits the most, from those below them.
religion, from Merriam-Webster: "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith"; well, if there is a system, then it is organized in such a fashion as not to be wild, chaotic, or in a state of complete randomness. beliefs, such that cannot be proven true or false. Like if "I believe the sky is green" well, you cannot dispute that, except to the extent of the association of a wavelength of light (a particular spectrum of energy) to the word 'green' or 'blue.'
good, from Merriam-Webster, in context: "true"; This goes along with beliefs, as stated above, and will not need to be explained further. Another definition, of the same source: "profitable or advantageous, as in for society"; also subjective - a belief.
Considering the above definitions, in what I think the original poster was attempting to ask, I would respond in such:
There are many views, and subsequently beliefs, that occur at all levels, inside and outside the organization, which will determine your answer.
From my point of view, I do not think organized religions are good or bad for us. Any advantages that organized religion brings to the table is balanced by the disadvantages of the decisions by the upper levels behind closed doors. Some of the morals taught by these organizations are mirrored by those obtained in society, to which I think organized religion was modeled around. However, being as such, those who were not favorable to the organization rebelled, creating the "pagan" lifestyle, to which the organizations try to insinuate are immoral. Also, corruption exists in many if not all of these organizations, but they are usually beneficial to some, while detrimental to others. Some have respect, others contempt for the organization; this is true for any organization, whether religiously oriented or not.
It is how it is, and that is my final answer.
Definitions, please:
organized: not disorderly, chaotic.
In this sense, all religions are organized; usually, there is the super entity, the sub-but-superior-than-human-entities (in some religions, not all), and there are the humans. This can be seen as a hierarchy in which the top benefits the most, from those below them.
religion, from Merriam-Webster: "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith"; well, if there is a system, then it is organized in such a fashion as not to be wild, chaotic, or in a state of complete randomness. beliefs, such that cannot be proven true or false. Like if "I believe the sky is green" well, you cannot dispute that, except to the extent of the association of a wavelength of light (a particular spectrum of energy) to the word 'green' or 'blue.'
good, from Merriam-Webster, in context: "true"; This goes along with beliefs, as stated above, and will not need to be explained further. Another definition, of the same source: "profitable or advantageous, as in for society"; also subjective - a belief.
Considering the above definitions, in what I think the original poster was attempting to ask, I would respond in such:
There are many views, and subsequently beliefs, that occur at all levels, inside and outside the organization, which will determine your answer.
From my point of view, I do not think organized religions are good or bad for us. Any advantages that organized religion brings to the table is balanced by the disadvantages of the decisions by the upper levels behind closed doors. Some of the morals taught by these organizations are mirrored by those obtained in society, to which I think organized religion was modeled around. However, being as such, those who were not favorable to the organization rebelled, creating the "pagan" lifestyle, to which the organizations try to insinuate are immoral. Also, corruption exists in many if not all of these organizations, but they are usually beneficial to some, while detrimental to others. Some have respect, others contempt for the organization; this is true for any organization, whether religiously oriented or not.
It is how it is, and that is my final answer.
