This question is for anyone who is seriously concerned with making the world a better place, even through the most humble of acts of service in one's family or community. What religious folk positively contribute that a non-religious folk don't?
-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
What do religious people positively contribute to the world that non-religious people can't?
- Thread starter Dawnofhope
- Start date
That was my initial thoughts and I agree somewhat. But then I reconsidered the whole question.
I started with nothing but then I reconsidered. Although I can make approximations based on my knowledge, I won't be able to contribute the religious services other religious people expect of each other, or personally relate to their particular religious culture or experience.
But I don't really think that's a bad thing. I'm a survivor of sexual assault, and nobody who isn't a survivor of sexual assault will be able to understand what that's like. I could talk to people about it in ways that someone else can't. Everyone has some things they simply won't be able to provide like some others can. It's realistic to admit that.
But I don't really think that's a bad thing. I'm a survivor of sexual assault, and nobody who isn't a survivor of sexual assault will be able to understand what that's like. I could talk to people about it in ways that someone else can't. Everyone has some things they simply won't be able to provide like some others can. It's realistic to admit that.
Please elaborate.
Religious charities are better at sticking around, IMO.
Religious and secular charities both tend to be equally good at taking on projects with a defined goal and timeframe, but the charities that continue on one mission, day in and day out for decade after decade tend to be religious.
There are probably some exceptions, but that seems to be the general trend.
Assuming there is a God, it opens the door to supernatural help that a person cannot give. A person who walks in the door of a group of believers and is delivered from hard drugs instantly.
Assuming there is not a God, but he/she believes there is, it can give them a strength that a regular person could not impart.
Either way, it is a win win situation.
Of course, i believe there is a God.
I've started watching a documentary here in NZ
Here’s a Trailer for a New Documentary About a Jehovah’s Witnesses Child Sex Abuse Cover Up | RELEVANT
To the best of my understanding faith communities, like families are powerful institutions for positively motivating and shaping the character of us all. What happens when families and faith communities contribute to an environment where abuse can happen? What about when it responds negatively by sweeping it under the carpet?
Abuse can take many forms including sexual, psychological and physical. Sadly its very common. Its an area I currently work in. My own experience growing up is with physical and psychological abuse.
I hadn't anticipated your response but am really pleased you have. Faith communities while having the capacity to make a great contribution to the betterment of the world, can do also do enormous harm.
So religious people can contribute to faith communities that in turn nurture and heal some of the most damaged and vulnerable within our communities? I agree. God, if He exists would help with that, of course. Instant healing from hard drugs? Sure, but its usually not that straightforward.
Salty Booger
Royal Crown Cola (RC)
They keep their religion alive for future generations.
Salma S
New Member
as a religious person, my understanding is that the main mission of religion is not to 'make the world a better place'. The main mission of religion is to remind us that the life of this world is transient and that Hereafter is everlasting. Of course, as people realise the transience of earthly life, they try to reduce their greed and excessive want (which is the cause of many of the world's problems, e.g. the environmental crisis). Then, the world would automatically become a better place to live in.
ppp
Well-Known Member
That's just one of those stories that people tell about their religion or political party or ethnicity.Something about your group is so very special that it imparted special powers do its members.
Again, obviously not true. This is stuff that believers just tried to paint all great accomplishments with. It's like when Oprah tried to insist that Diane Nyad attributes her accomplishments to her belief in God, and just couldn't get it through her head that an atheist could achieve amazing things without god beliefs.
Y'all Tell each other how great and unparalleled your accomplishments based on God's beliefs are, when the world is full of people without them doing the same things.
Thanks @Salma S and welcome to the forum. Do you believe Islam has contributed to the development of communities and civilization, or its benefit has been mostly for the individual who follows the Quran?
ppp
Well-Known Member
They're really Don't. They use the transient excuse to justify their practical indifference towards the tragedies and injustices of the world.
Salma S
New Member
My pleasure. Ultimately, I think any religion, - Islam included - , has to transform the individual first; and then only it can transform communities, through the individuals that make up that community.
True, but these people don't really believe in the Hereafter (even though they may present themselves as religious); otherwise they wouldn't support injustice.
That being said, while we can battle this or that suffering (and indeed, when we can, we must), we can never vanquish suffering as such. Religions can help us have a more realistic approach to the world, and to 'lower our expectations', so to speak.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
I see all people have the same human nature for comfort, safety, relations, and understanding sense of self. Charity and treating people kind aren't religious. Religion is How a group of people connect to what they feel will help them with charity etc. It gives individuals the purpose as well as the function. We don't have the same source "and" if we put our heads together, I'm sure that doesn't matter.
But I'm not certain why the question is phrased that way. If it can go both ways, what can non religious provide that religious can't, I get it. But is there anything religious can give for humanity that religious cant?
Loaded question.
For me, 'cannot' is the word that throws the whole poll out the window.
Non-religious folk can contribute positively to the world in all ways religious can.
That isn't the same as saying 'they do' or even 'they do it in the same way'
And indeed, 'religious' is a very broad consideration. Some here seem to have tied it to belief in specific types of God, which goes completely beyond the basic question in more than one way.
Non-religious folk can contribute positively to the world in all ways religious can.
That isn't the same as saying 'they do' or even 'they do it in the same way'
And indeed, 'religious' is a very broad consideration. Some here seem to have tied it to belief in specific types of God, which goes completely beyond the basic question in more than one way.
Its a hard road coming up with the perfectly phrased question. But then again, its good to have your response as what throws you with the question and why.