does religion separate man from man?

[bothsides]

Alright,

religion brings man closer to God, but in fact separates man from man?

 

[McBell]

but in fact separates man from man?

Ye sit does.

Just take Christianity and its 38,000+ sects for example.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Alright,

religion brings man closer to God, but in fact separates man from man?

Religion creates communities and within those communities man is brought closer to God and his fellow man. But it also creates separation between different religious communities, whch is regrettable but also inevitable. Humanity is inherently tribalistic. We instinctively organize ourselves according to the ingroup/outgroup model. For whatever reason it's always going to a be a matter of Us vs. Them.

That is just an undeniable fact of the human condition.

 

[Noaidi]

Humanity is inherently tribalistic. We instinctively organize ourselves according to the ingroup/outgroup model. For whatever reason it's always going to a be a matter of Us vs. Them.

That is just an undeniable fact of the human condition.

True, but, given the tenets of many religions (preaching love, tolerance etc), shouldn't the tribalism be overcome? We can rise above our basic human condition. Don't all / most religions have a duty to promote tolerance and cohesion?

 

[sandandfoam]

True, but, given the tenets of many religions (preaching love, tolerance etc), shouldn't the tribalism be overcome?

As I see it that's the goal

We can rise above our basic human condition. Don't all / most religions have a duty to promote tolerance and cohesion?

You're right. All religions have this duty.

 

[Madhuri]

Alright,

religion brings man closer to God, but in fact separates man from man?

Depends on the religion. For instance, the concepts in Hinduism teach man that he is part of a whole that connects all things and people. We are supposed to learn to love everyone, and see everyone equally.

 

[zenzero]

Friend bothsides,

religion brings man closer to God, but in fact separates man from man?

Well said!

Love & rgds

 

[Noaidi]

As I see it that's the goal


You're right. All religions have this duty.

Agreed.

 

[Midnight Pete]

True, but, given the tenets of many religions (preaching love, tolerance etc), shouldn't the tribalism be overcome? We can rise above our basic human condition. Don't all / most religions have a duty to promote tolerance and cohesion?

Not everyone wants to join hands and sing Kumbaya. Not everyone wants to be the United Colors of Benetton. Racism, nationalism, and other hatreds based on a great many other things hold us back from that dream. Yes, the dream Martin Luther King Jr. had and was killed for. :sad4: Rising above our basic human condition is achievable but always comes at a price. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll ever see a world in which all men are equal. This world is just too sick. Too imperfect. Only in the next world can we all come together in that Perfect Place. But meanwhile, we follow the Shepherd and do what we can for the here-and-now.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Agreed.

Agreed.

 

[Noaidi]

Unfortunately, I don't think we'll ever see a world in which all men are equal. This world is just too sick. Too imperfect. Only in the next world can we all come together in that Perfect Place. But meanwhile, we follow the Shepherd and do what we can for the here-and-now.

Now, I see what you are saying here, but I would rather adopt a more optimistic view that it is possible. Waiting until an as-yet unverified afterlife before we can achieve unity isn't an option if we are to survive in this life.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Now, I see what you are saying here, but I would rather adopt a more optimistic view that it is possible. Waiting until an as-yet unverified afterlife before we can achieve unity isn't an option if we are to survive in this life.

Don't misunderstand me, I am not some kind of nihilist. I'm just saying that while this world that we know won't ever be Utopia, striving to make the world a better place is always a noble pursuit. Even if we can't get it right.

 

[ChristineES]

Alright,

religion brings man closer to God, but in fact separates man from man?

It might, but not more than anything else.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Anything that groups people, also separates those people from others. Our tendency to form groups is based as much on defining how we're different from other groups, as it is on defining how we're like the people in our group.

 

[Politesse]

People distance themselves from each other or come together regardless of whether they follow any particular creed. Our social life is built on these little coming-togethers and pushing-aways, and I think both are necessary at times, to maintain the equilibrium a creature prefers. Few of us would be ready to contemplate a life with no boundaries at all between us and our neighbor. But I think religion is best when it teaches us to regard others with love and compassion even across the gulf of autonomy, and worst when it teaches us to hate. Pushing apart does not have to happen with violence.

 

[Midnight Pete]

True, but, given the tenets of many religions (preaching love, tolerance etc), shouldn't the tribalism be overcome? We can rise above our basic human condition. Don't all / most religions have a duty to promote tolerance and cohesion?

Tolerance/cohesion doesn't work if no one cooperates. That's the problem.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Now, I see what you are saying here, but I would rather adopt a more optimistic view that it is possible. Waiting until an as-yet unverified afterlife before we can achieve unity isn't an option if we are to survive in this life.

Fighting over material things is not an option, either.

 

[Twig pentagram]

Alright,

religion brings man closer to God, but in fact separates man from man?

I think this whole statement is wrong. Religion does not bring man closer to god and only certain types of religions seperate man from man.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Even within a single religion, there are seperations of man from man.

It's in our nature to do that.

 

[McBell]

I think this whole statement is wrong. Religion does not bring man closer to god and only certain types of religions seperate man from man.

I disagree.
Unless of course you can list a religion that does not separate man from man.
Islam is out, as well as Christianity.
Both have multiple sects....

Even within a single religion, there are seperations of man from man.

I agree.

It's in our nature to do that.

Again, I have to agree.