Judging a Religion

[IndigoChild5559]

How do you judge a religion as to whether it is good or bad, beneficial or malevolent, helpful or useless, harmless or harmful, fine or problematic? I don’t mean all of these pairs, just one at least (for instance, ‘harmless or harmful’).

For some people, the criteria is the words and actions of the adherents of the religion. For others, it is the scriptural or official teachings of the religion. Others might use some combination or perhaps something else entirely.

When judging a religion as to whether it is beneficial or malevolent, for instance, I don’t mean whether that it is orthodox or heretical or has true teachings or false teachings. What is meant is how the religion affects or is meant to affect human beings, other beings, and the world.

If you wish to participate in this thread, I humbly ask that no religion is singled out and attacked. It would be appreciated greatly if you could simply share with me how you judge religions in general.

Thank you.

When I think of a good healthy religion, I imagine one that assists the person in becoming the best version of their unique self that they can be. It increases resilience against the suffering in life. It provides a loving faith community to lend support and care. It facilitates the development of a deeper ethical code, and gives the social support needed to adhere to that moral code. And hopefully, it brings people closer to a loving God, who accepts people as they are but also calls them to something higher.

When I think of a toxic faith, very different things come to mind. It infuses life with anxiety, fear, and depression. It isolates a person from their family, friends, and other loved ones. It demonizes people outside of the faith. Instead of encouraging questions, it punishes them. It exerts enormous control over the minute details of a person's life. It is emotionally abusive. It lacks transparency. It presents God as a monstrous, condemning being to be feared.

 

[paarsurrey]

Judging a Religion

I don't agree with the title of the thread, we humans cannot judge a religion, right?
It is G-d who is to judge us, right?
We may however see under some good Methodology if a Religion is truthful or not, right?
Regards
___________________
1:4
(Allah is) Master of the Day of Judgment.
مٰلِکِ یَوۡمِ الدِّیۡنِ ؕ﴿۴

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Judging a Religion

I don't agree with the title of the thread, we humans cannot judge a religion, right?

Of course we can. I can compare Buddhism to Aztec religion, and conclude that a peaceful religion like Buddhism is better than a religion that does human sacrifices.

It is G-d who is to judge us, right?

That doesn't mean that we are not to use good judgment.

We may however see under some good Methodology if a Religion is truthful or not, right?

Truth claims are important. But so are the behaviors. Does a religion increase loving kindness? Does it help others? And so are the morals it teaches. Does this religion effectively help me to become a better person?

 

[Link]

Truth claims are important. But so are the behaviors. Does a religion increase loving kindness? Does it help others? And so are the morals it teaches. Does this religion effectively help me to become a better person?

Judging behaviors is good if we are sure about certain morals. However, if we rely on God for clarification of morals, then it might be better to forego our judgment and try to see the reasons God has for certain morals. In short: imposing our morals upon God may not be the right way.

The same is true of a religion without one God or no God, if we are to rely upon them for moral guidance, it might be bad idea to impose our judgment. If we can be guided without religion, it would make religion almost not needed for humanity and not very beneficial as it would cause unnecessary division.

However, to me, some morals we can definitely know, others we cannot, and we can have wrong assumptions about morality.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Judging behaviors is good if we are sure about certain morals. However, if we rely on God for clarification of morals, then it might be better to forego our judgment and try to see the reasons God has for certain morals. In short: imposing our morals upon God may not be the right way.

The same is true of a religion without one God or no God, if we are to rely upon them for moral guidance, it might be bad idea to impose our judgment. If we can be guided without religion, it would make religion almost not needed for humanity and not very beneficial as it would cause unnecessary division.

However, to me, some morals we can definitely know, others we cannot, and we can have wrong assumptions about morality.

I think having a religious moral code is very helpful, because when a group can all have the same moral code, it means their members have accountability, which results in more ethical people. However, that doesn't mean religious moral codes are 100% accurate. For example, think how many religions supported slavery and misogyny by their lack of condemnation. Nor does a person need to be religious to have a moral code; they simply lack the benefits of a community that supports them.