Religion is a tool of violence and control; used against us, or by us?
361695
A little more (or perhaps less) complex than that. Religion is a system of beliefs created by man to dilute fear. Fear is a basic emotion of all animals (yes, humans are animals)and in a relatively advanced species like humans it becomes intellectualized. Religion is absolutely nothing without fear. They go hand in hand. When they both reach hyper levels of intensity the violence will kick in. The opposite of intelligence is fear based ignorance. Most religious people have lived with fear since they were brainwashed at young age. They don't even realize it.
190482
Nah.  I tend to question any links between God and any religious organization that relies heavily on violent means to an end.  To me, if the basis for any religion is not the promotion of world peace, harmonious existence, and peace with nature, the religion is not a true reflection of God's will.
402140
I think our religious beliefs are a reflection of our fears. By showing them, we expose ourselves to others and become vulnerable. This makes us hate ourselves for being weak and hate others for seeing our weaknesses. Maybe one day we will be evolved and intelligent enough to come out of the dark and leave our fears and prejudices behind.
817698
Although religion is good in many ways, it has also created a lot of wars. Music can cross boarders that religion can't.
466691
Violence begets violence. This saying has been around for a long time, and it still applies. At times, it even seems that our world continues to grow more violent with each passing generation. Who can save us from this perpetuating cycle of harm? It won’t be the rulers of this world who use violence to attain power and oppress through force. Certainly, the writer of Revelation says, it won’t be those who rule Rome and are found covered with the blood of prophets and saints. No, it is the King of kings who will save us from our violent rage.\nOnly the King who is the victim of the violence of human fear and anger can truly understand the depth of our brokenness. Only the One who hung on the cross for the sake of this violent world can save us. Only the God who is stronger than all the violence of this world, even death itself, can redeem us from the cycle of pain. Violent kingdoms come to violent ends. God’s new reign in the kingdom of the risen Christ comes to our world bearing a new type of rule, the rule of peace.
55665
What do you mean by "radical"? The word radical means "of the root."\n\nDo you mean, instead, physically hostile? There are already laws on the books against such action, and the only need to is enforce those laws, not deny anyone the practice of their religion.\n\nIf the religion preaches violence, its practicioners will be in jail, one by one, every time they practice violence. \n\nYou can never stop someone from practicing a religion, anyway: it simply goes underground -- which is something their unlawful actions cannot do.
869108
Religion allows us to live under laws of man.\n\nStopping evil men in whatever way possible from killing innocent people with suicide bombs has nothing to do with religion.
768052
Christianity / Islam / Jewish / whatever- religion is the biggest cause of pain and suffering and all the problems in this world today.\nWe are all human beings and we should all pull together and build on our future together No matter what our differences or creeds.\nIm not a religious person but i do believe in the spirit and being human.\nHate breeds hate .\nWe hate Muslims / Muslims hate Christians etc.\nLook at my profile my national flag England..St Geoges Cross.\nSymbol of the Crusaders 11th Century against Islam.\nOne thousand years later we still seem to be in this Crusade mentality.\nAs i mentioned before im not a religious person but isnt the diety we call God  one Diety.?\nOne name many faces God -Jehova -Allagh  so why the hatred and control?\nReligion will cause the big confrontation that will end all confrontations so please be warned.
608398
No more than Atheism is.  Look at China, Russia, and every other State that banned religions.  Pogroms and slaughters of millions.\n\nYou are confused about the reasons for such slaughters.  Religion is the excuse, not the cause.\n\nThe desire to protect mankind from the ideas of others is the most common reason for such atrocities, such as you seem to be suggesting we do with the Religious Right.\n\nWhy not grant them the Free Speech they deserve, and actually argue the various points with them rather than try to silence them?\n\nOr would you prefer we ban all religion?  Kill the one's who won't give it up?  Thank goodness that we won't tolerate a socialist government in the United States!
1007794
It is true that religion formed the basis for division among mankind.Religion also formed the basis of hatred violence and war. Religion per se is not anti christ but someone`s perverted misinterpretation is antichrist.So there we are.Antichrist is a person or view who misuses and misiterprets religion.
970580
Religion has been violent since the beginning of man's belief in many gods or one or just few gods. Religion has murder more people than armies have murdered.
675442
just ignore the Christ freaks who respond to this post by attacking your question. The gist of what you're saying is totally right - religion is not peaceful it's nasty. As much as I hate religion it's a necessary part of being human and is just as much part of us as our toe-nails are.\nAnyway, if I happened across an embodiment of 'the christian god' I would try and punch his ****ing lights out. He created Satan and hell, then blames evil and sin on the devil. And if that's was not enough he selfishly wants people to spend eternity with him! what a nob.
221346
It's not the religions themselves that cause harm.  The harm is caused by people profiteering and politicing off of a religion.  Whether it be Hitler, Irani Mullahs, the Catcholic Church, or the President of the United States (all of them), they use religion to push their agendas and pad their pockets and that is where the problems begin.
1013777
Not all religions are, just a lot of them. And yes, it's a great way to control people, I'm sure that's partly why they were created.
355336
ALL religion causes violence and intolerance of others. Do away with all organized religion, not just Islam.
1175130
Yes, far less war and conflict. If we want peace, we need to set our differences aside, and religion is included. Just look at the major cause of conflict over human history (crusades, etc). Religion is the true evil.
16291
Whether or not jesus was the savior (which i would say he was not)- Religion has become an excellent tool to control the masses. Slavery is a simple example of such a usage of religion.