Religious Ideals

[Forever Atlas]

Despite what many believe, religion isn't ALL bad. There are obvious principles and guidelines, laws, ethics, morals, etc., that if applied do good for not only the person who applies it but those around him as well.

This thread is to look over some of those. It doesn't have to be from any one religion but if you think that it's something that if everyone in the world applied it, it would make the world a little better of a place, then tell us.

So any takers?

[Chevalier Sombre]

I don't think all morality and goodwill stem from religion alone and that without it we'd be all the worse, but all the same a lot of religions (including the most widely practiced ones, in fact) have great guidelines, rules, and principles that can be applied to everyday life (adressing murder, theft, rape, obedience, generosity, humility, among other things) to make the world a better place for all inhabiting it.

Of course it needs not be said that a great amount of people don't adhere to these rules (with or without religion, felonies and people who commit them, for whatever reasons and under whatever circumstances will never be extinct), but some do so I guess that's better than nothing.

[Forever Atlas]

I'll take a shot with a few from the Bible:

- What most people know as the golden rule

“All things . . . that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.”— Matthew 7:12.

- Not seeking out revenge for wrongs.

“Return evil for evil to no one.”— Romans 12:17.

- Being Giving and Generous

“There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” - Acts 20:35

Those are just a few.

[Hidden]

As with Chevalier Sombre, I don't look to religion for what I consider social values. However, I do think some of the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic mystics have come up with something important.

The idea that god is not an attainable end and not a resource that can be tapped for profit, prosperity, or even salvation--that the divine is something one must seek without the means of reaching it. This call to something beyond the self is an important critique of both secular and orthodox-religious values I think. It requires that meaning be generated in this world, not dictated by the arbitrary demands of society or religion, but by the very process of seeking out what makes life worth living.

[Du Soleil.]

I'm gonna be basic on this because I believe that a world without religion is a world better-off. Buttt, even though I'm atheist, I do believe that some of the ten commandments are pretty good, basic, humaine (sp?) rules.

• Honor your father and your mother.

I think some people in this world need to learn what respect is. Respect is a very vital and very much welcomed attribute and I'd rather feel honoured than be looked upon as a total fuckwit.

• You shall not murder.

I hardly need to explain this. I don't always fully agree with death sentences, because it's not justice. While being an easier fate for the criminal (say a terrorist, por ejemplo), giving a death sentence to them is also murder and is therefore just as immoral. Before anybody flames me and calls me a bomb-lover, take heed that I don't agree one bit with any of that shit.

I believe this commandment also extends to animals & insects & the like. Though I know that myself, one little birth-raised vegetarian, can't change huge meat-producing corporations or the industry itself, I do have the right to say that I think the way in which the executions of the animals are done is absolutely despicable, not to mention the living standards. I know it's a part of the food-chain, I'm not fucking stupid, but it's just fucking vile & is a clear display of a lack of respect.

• You shall not commit adultery.

If you can't stay faithful in a relationship, don't be in one.

• You shall not steal.

Don't take what isn't yours---someone had to work for that.

Eh, I could go on.

[Endless Warrior Sora]

But in a world without religion, those 10 commandments you put would be non existent...though given those should be basic common sense not to do, it's still good to actually see a rule.


Anyway yep, I think that a lot of religions have somethin good to give to society cuz a lot of them have good practices and teach good things.

[Du Soleil.]

Originally Posted by Endless Warrior Sora

But in a world without religion, those 10 commandments you put would be non existent...though given those should be basic common sense not to do, it's still good to actually see a rule.

Mhm, I know, but then that would defeat the purpose of the thread. Those religious ideals are common sense, yeah, but obviously a lot of people don't seem to have common sense.

[Oathkeeper(:]

Of course, religious things has helped shape our society over the years, and each one has something helpful to contribute to society [except maybe Satanism...]
But basically? The 10 commandments are a big help, though they are common sense, it still helps to see them written down.
Religion isn't a BAD thing, no, but some things are kind of...I dunno, don't really make any sense? Religion has had it's toll on our history though, and without it, a lot of people would probably be lost.

[Du Soleil.]

Originally Posted by Oathkeeper(:

[except maybe Satanism...]

Satanism is probably one of the least understood faiths of all.

[YouOnlyLiveOnce]

The book of Proverbs in the Hebrew scriptures has a lot of good, well, proverbs. Good advice in there that can apply to today.

[mad cunt]

I do not believe people need religion to develop good principles.

[Forever Atlas]

Originally Posted by mad cunt

I do not believe people need religion to develop good principles.

No one said you do and no one asked if you do. :/

Point of thread is putting up some good ones that religions promote (which very few have done).

[mad cunt]

No, the point of the thread is to justify religion's practicality in the modern world, using ideals that exist outside of religion.

[krexia]

I'm a big fan of the basic Christian principle of trying to love others as oneself. Treating others as I'd like to be treated is at the core of all that I believe is moral - and while I don't think religion is necessary to impart that value, I'm all for people being taught to respect their fellow humans.

[Prajna]

I believe some people hold onto a religion out of fear. What I mean is that some people fear death and can't seem to accept that it's a part of life, so they grasp hold of a religion as a means of being sent to afterlife once passing on. I'm a Buddhist, I believe in peace and oneness, but I also am true to Christianity so that makes me a polytheist.