Religions that are actually evil?

[Brian Schuh]

Not all small cults are evil, no one here said that, I just want point out an interesting cult. The Cargo Cult. On an island during a World War, westerners would deliver western goods by dropping them from an aircraft. Somehow the natives got ahold of these western goods, like cans of food, and clothing, all kinds of stuff. After the War ended, these deliveries ended. The natives came to believe that this cargo was wealth intended for them by their god and that this god stopped delivering it, because the white westerners stole the cargo from their god. And they had rituals. They would march in formation like the soldiers had and talk into radios and imitate what the military men did, believing that that would bring the next delivery of cargo. Well, after decades of no more cargo, the cult must have realized that their god was never going to get it back from the white westerners who stole it, and there would not be anymore deliveries of cargo.

Now seriously, is there any harm in this cult? Not all small cults commit crimes and hurt people. The Cargo Cult really makes sense if you were one of those natives and if you think like them, like how did this wealth fall from the sky? They just tried to explain something they could not explain. A harmless cult.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Luk 14:26 “If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple.

Jesus isn't teaching hate in that verse. The word hate means to "love less". Why would He teach hate your parents in one talk, and teach to honor your parents in another?

Mat 10:37 (ESVST) 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

No religion in itself is evil, IMO. I don't believe most people that follow any religion is evil either. The ones that are evil are the leaders of religion. They are the ones who deceive and misguide sincere individuals looking for the truth. These leaders, I would consider evil.

When someone claims there is no hope or salvation for anyone unless they belong to their click, that is evil. When someone claims they, and they alone, hold the monopoly on truth, that is evil. When someone claims to be God's appointed right hand man, that is evil.

 

[savagewind]

When someone claims to be God's appointed right hand man, that is evil.

I think it was you who once asked me if I consider scripture for what I think about.
Mark 16:19
Matthew 28:18
Luke 22:69
John 20:17

 

[djhwoodwerks]

I think it was you who once asked me if I consider scripture for what I think about.
Mark 16:19
Matthew 28:18
Luke 22:69
John 20:17

Somehow, I knew I would here from you on that post, I see I should have been more specific in my answer. I made the assumption that all readers would understand what was meant by that statement, but I see that's not the case at all.

Maybe think just a little bit on that, since I believe Jesus is my Lord and that He is God.

 

[Sees]

Somehow, I knew I would here from you on that post, I see I should have been more specific in my answer. I made the assumption that all readers would understand what was meant by that statement, but I see that's not the case at all.

Maybe think just a little bit on that, since I believe Jesus is my Lord and that He is God.

Basically saying, "If someone, other than the one who I approve of, claims it - it is evil." is that right?

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Basically saying, "If someone, other than the one who I approve of, claims it - it is evil." is that right?

Nope, anyone other than Jesus. If anyone says, "God appointed me as head of the true religion" is false!

 

[savagewind]

Somehow, I knew I would here from you on that post, I see I should have been more specific in my answer. I made the assumption that all readers would understand what was meant by that statement, but I see that's not the case at all.

Maybe think just a little bit on that, since I believe Jesus is my Lord and that He is God.

You meant everyone other than HE. I did actually feel that SLAP. Am I imagining it?

 

[savagewind]

Nope, anyone other than Jesus. If anyone says, "God appointed me as head of the true religion" is false!

But they don't say that. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe that what looks like to us leaders are actually just servants of The Lord who do the organizing to keep it together. JWs NEVER call the governing body head or leader.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

The only real groups focused on evil are the Anti-cosmic Luciferians (Misanthropic Luciferian Order/Temple of the Black Light),

"Evil" in their desires and goals to you, maybe, but they don't even encourage criminal acts. They just desire the end of the Cosmos.

There are also Mexican gangsters that pray to Jesus Malverde (patron saint of drug traffickers) and Santa Meurte (Saint Death, as in to help them kill enemies...). They would probably consider themselves Catholic, but honestly by any moral consideration this is evil.

Just because some people make use of religious figures in certain ways, doesn't mean that said religious figure itself is evil. I, myself, feel a closeness to Santa Muerte. She is the modern syncretized continuation of the cult of Mictecacihuatl, the Aztec Goddess of Death. Both her and Malverde are associated with social outcasts in general, not just criminals.

 

[Mindmaster]

"Evil" in their desires and goals to you, maybe, but they don't even encourage criminal acts. They just desire the end of the Cosmos.

Uhh... so like... Define evil? Most people would say killing people is evil with very few restrictions, but killing reality or the entirety of existence is just taking to a new extreme. Evil exists outside of a moral context anyway -- evil can just be being harmful and mean-spirited. By that idea, yea all of this qualifies.

Just because some people make use of religious figures in certain ways, doesn't mean that said religious figure itself is evil. I, myself, feel a closeness to Santa Muerte. She is the modern syncretized continuation of the cult of Mictecacihuatl, the Aztec Goddess of Death. Both her and Malverde are associated with social outcasts in general, not just criminals.

Yes, but usage is everything. If you are praying to something help you kill someone, or you pray so you can succeed at smuggling drugs... You are evil by definition outside of moral considerations. Evil is not judged purely in a morally relativistic context. If the person would succeed then have they done evil? Yes, they have... So, what are we talking about again?

Do these Gods/Saints have non-evil uses? Yea, probably... But, is it also true that they are used in evil contexts? yes... Does evil usually override good? In most cases, yes... At least if other modern religions are any example... Religions allowing this are doing evil by proxy... So, there is also that...

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Uhh... so like... Define evil? Most people would say killing people is evil with very few restrictions, but killing reality or the entirety of existence is just taking to a new extreme. Evil exists outside of a moral context anyway -- evil can just be being harmful and mean-spirited. By that idea, yea all of this qualifies.

They're not personally killing anything, in a legal context. Their Gods are seen the ones who are eventually going to wipe out the Cosmos. This isn't so different from believing that the universe will ultimately end or "die", as is common in scientific theory, it's just that they believe it's a good thing and hope it comes as soon as possible because of their rather extreme Gnostic viewpoints. They view the material universe as a prison and the destruction of it as liberation. It's apocalyptic. I, myself, believe that the Cosmos goes through cycles of creation and destruction and the Goddess Kali is my preferred spiritual conceptualization of this.

Yes, but usage is everything. If you are praying to something help you kill someone, or you pray so you can succeed at smuggling drugs... You are evil by definition outside of moral considerations. Evil is not judged purely in a morally relativistic context. If the person would succeed then have they done evil? Yes, they have... So, what are we talking about again?

Do these Gods/Saints have non-evil uses? Yea, probably... But, is it also true that they are used in evil contexts? yes... Does evil usually override good? In most cases, yes... At least if other modern religions are any example... Religions allowing this are doing evil by proxy... So, there is also that...

Depends on how you personally want to define "evil". Wishing someone dead or even killing someone isn't necessarily always "evil". Some people deserve to die, imo. Drug trafficking, yeah, I'd say that's unethical due to the harm to innocent people it causes. But as for the religion itself being "evil" by proxy, that's rather far-fatched because those cults have no dogmas or central authorities. The only thing that people who reverence those figures have in common, by definition, is that they reverence the same figures. But they don't necessarily share anything else in common. They don't even view such figures in the same way. I wouldn't say that a prostitute who prays to Santa Muerte for protection from danger is "evil" just because she approaches the same figure for help as a narco member who prays for Santa Muerte to aid him in torturing and killing a cop. The former has nothing to do with the latter. How they choose to make use of such a concept is their own personal perspective and responsibility. These things aren't black and white.

 

[YmirGF]

Religions aren't evil - even people aren't evil. However, people can do evil things. Of course, religion is a popular reason for people to exercise evil - and often self-righteously. Some religions more than others, depending on time and place.

I'm not big on the idea of evil or even the word evil. I rarely ever use it to describe anything ... ok, Ok, OK.... besides Hillary Clinton.... I rarely ever use the term as I don't wish to add a shred of credibility to the concept as if it were actually a meaningful expression.

In regards to the OP, no, I do not consider any religions to be inherently evil, assuming that evil is an existent reality. That does not mean that I don't consider many religions to be supercilious, irrelevant to reality or delusional, in general terms.

 

[kerndog]

Jesus isn't teaching hate in that verse. The word hate means to "love less". Why would He teach hate your parents in one talk, and teach to honor your parents in another?

Mat 10:37 (ESVST) 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

You are spot on, i see you done your homework !

 

[rusra02]

Some like to think that whatever religion is different from theirs is evil, but that isn't so. It just means it's different. Some would say all Muslims are evil but I know that's a lie because I know there are good Muslims out there.

The only religions that are actually evil are usually small cult like religions, most of which people haven't heard of. Some would call Scientology evil but I think some are just unethical or greedy than evil. Are there any religious groups that are actually evil? Any that are pretty much universally accepted to be evil and teach bad morals? The ones I can think of are extremist groups within religions or small evil cults. Does anyone know them?

People can say which religions are bad like Muslims, Hindus, ect. But people should be wary of the religious extremists within those religions or the small evil cults that have done criminal stuff.

Jesus said you could identify false prophets by the works they produce.(Matthew 7:15-23) Christ called them ravenous wolves and workers of lawlessness. I think most people would think murder is evil. The major religions have caused or shared in the slaughter of tens of millions in two world wars, inquisitions, genocides, etc. For example, clergymen on both sides of both world wars supported the war effort, often urging young men to take up arms against persons belonging to the same religion. Is that evil? I think it is, but more importantly, the Bible says it is.( 1 John 3:10-12)

 

[djhwoodwerks]

But they don't say that. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe that what looks like to us leaders are actually just servants of The Lord who do the organizing to keep it together. JWs NEVER call the governing body head or leader.

I agree with that, they don't call them their head or leader, in those words. They may call them brothers or shepherds or whatever they do, but they are taught to obey their leaders.

But what does the WT say?

*** w13 11/15 p. 24 par. 13 Obey Jehovah’s Shepherds ***
13 Why did Jehovah have Bible writers record accounts of the shortcomings of men whom he had commissioned? Among other reasons, God did this to show that he can use imperfect men to lead his people. In fact, he has always done so. Hence, we should not use the imperfections of those who take the lead among us today as an excuse to murmur against them or to ignore their authority. Jehovah expects us to respect such brothers and to obey them.—Read Exodus 16:2, 8. (Notice the title)


*** w09 2/15 p. 28 par. 17 They “Keep Following the Lamb” ***
17 The faithful and discreet slave today is represented by the Governing Body, who take the lead and coordinate the Kingdom-preaching work throughout the earth. The members of the Governing Body are experienced, spirit-anointed elders. They in particular can be described as “those who are taking the lead” among us. (Heb. 13:7) In caring for over 7,000,000 Kingdom proclaimers worldwide in over 100,000 congregations, these anointed overseers have “plenty to do in the work of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58) Listening to the slave class means giving our full cooperation to its Governing Body.

*** w92 7/15 pp. 12-13 par. 19 Christ Hated Lawlessness—Do You? ***
Being imperfect, our hearts could easily have a tendency toward being critical of our brothers. As individuals, those of “the faithful and discreet slave” are imperfect humans. (Matthew 24:45-47) But this class is faithful and discreet. Apostates capitalize on errors or seeming mistakes made by brothers who take the lead. Our safety lies in avoiding apostate propaganda as though it were poison, which in fact it is.—Romans 16:17, 18.


What do we call people "who take the lead"?

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Jesus said you could identify false prophets by the works they produce.(Matthew 7:15-23) Christ called them ravenous wolves and workers of lawlessness. I think most people would think murder is evil. The major religions have caused or shared in the slaughter of tens of millions in two world wars, inquisitions, genocides, etc. For example, clergymen on both sides of both world wars supported the war effort, often urging young men to take up arms against persons belonging to the same religion. Is that evil? I think it is, but more importantly, the Bible says it is.( 1 John 3:10-12)

1Jo 3:10-12 (ESVST) 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil:whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Love One Another 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

Why are you using this to try and prove that we are not to defend our families? Cain MURDERED Abel because he was jealous, not because Abel was trying to harm him. Cain didn't KILL Abel because Abel was trying to MURDER Cain.

Do you think if someone breaks in your house and is going to MURDER your wife, you're to just stand there and let them? What are you going to tell your wife screaming for help, "sorry honey, I'm not supposed to KILL anyone, see you in paradise"?

 

[savagewind]

What do we call people "who take the lead"?

Leader.
I am aware that Jesus told his disciples, "follow me". To follow is to be led and the Bible says little about what it means to be led. I looked to see if Jesus is called leader and I could not find that he is called that. Hebrews 13:17 does mention "leaders" but that is a very interesting word.

http://biblehub.com/greek/2233.htm
2233. hégeomai

Welcome back @djhwoodwerks Of course I missed you.

 

[blue taylor]

You are spot on, i see you done your homework !

It is not that simple at all.

https://billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/miseo

 

[blue taylor]

Luke 25-33 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned to them


and said, "No one can be my disciple if they put their father, mother, wife

or children - even their own life – before me. And no one can be my

disciple unless they carry their own cross and follow me.

The Source New Testament