What is the greatest threat to religion today?

[Green Gaia]

Within your religion, what do you see as the greatest threat to religion? It is something within or an outside force that is threatening to you?

 

[painted wolf]

fundamentalism, zelotry, and bigotry. All forces that religions must fight from within.

wa:do

 

[Lightkeeper]

I don't think anything can take religion out of the person. In countries where religion has been against the law individuals have continued on with their religous beliefs. The biggest threat against religion is if it doesn't evolve with the times, i.e. new myths.

 

[Ardhanariswar]

ya fundamentalism. people thinking that we are idol worshippers.

"The biggest threat against religion is if it doesn't evolve with the times, i.e. new myths."

thats only if these myths were to be held true by followers. like christian fundamentalists. but when you learn to take the metaphors and learn from then, thats the true value, so i wouldnt take that as a threat, more like different ways of looking at things. sure, fundamentalists will have to remain stubborn on what is true for them.

 

[Damori]

Other religions, I say. Always striving to be "right", to be on top. Baaah, say the sheep.

 

[Scott1]

Within your religion, what do you see as the greatest threat to religion?

The threat is the same today as it has always been......... sin.

Human nature is sinful... we all sin and fall short of the glory of God..... that will never change.

 

[Pah]

fundamentalism, zelotry, and bigotry. All forces that religions must fight from within.

wa:do

And from without, if we are to be free.

-pah-

 

[Scott1]

And from without, if we are to be free.

Very good point, pah........

 

[Green Gaia]

The threat is the same today as it has always been......... sin.

Human nature is sinful... we all sin and fall short of the glory of God..... that will never change.

How is sin a threat? It seems that religion needs sin to survive, after all, if there was no "sin" there would be no need for a religion.

 

[Rex]

How is sin a threat? It seems that religion needs sin to survive, after all, if there was no "sin" there would be no need for a religion.

Not true, you saying you have to be bad to get the good. Why can't the good get the good?

 

[Green Gaia]

Not true, you saying you have to be bad to get the good. Why can't the good get the good?

That's not what I'm saying at all. The organization of religion that has built it's rewards and punishments around the concept of "sin" could not do so if there were no sin.

 

[godischange]

The only thing to fear is fear itself

These are wise words. I think that the only thing that can pose a threat to Earthseed is fear. Fear of Change. If people are afraid, the don't want to believe. If they fear change, they won't believe in Earthseed.

God is Change, and in the end, God prevails.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

I'd say, in any religion I've come across, fundamentalism is the greatest threat.

 

[Hope]

I agree with SOGFPP--it's sin that is always the greatest threat. And specifically, it is usually the sin from 'within'. Mainly pride, which causes division, among other things. 'A house divided against itself cannot stand.' Without unity, there is no strength.

I think you hit on a good point, Maize. If there was no sin, there indeed would be no need for what we know as 'religion.' If we were all perfect people living in a perfect world, I don't think we would even be having this discussion.

 

[cardero]

The biggest threat to religion is logic, reasoning, TRUTH, basic (common) sense and time.

 

[Jaymes]

IMO, the biggest threat is a combination of losing the untamed areas of the world (living in a pretty rural area made me what I am)... and fluffbunnies. Fluffbunnies just make the serious people look bad. x_x

 

[Sunstone]

IMO, the biggest threat is a combination of losing the untamed areas of the world (living in a pretty rural area made me what I am)... and fluffbunnies. Fluffbunnies just make the serious people look bad. x_x

I seriously agree with you, Jensa, that losing the untamed areas of the world is a threat to natural religion. It's in nature that we best encounter our spirituality, our connectedness to all things. That, and when we are in the awesome presence of a fluffbunny.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

That, and when we are in the awesome presence of a fluffbunny.

I would doubt that anyone who has witnessed the incredible power of a fluffbunny would even try denying that.

 

[meogi]

*Is strangely glad he`s never had a `fluffbunny`*

Biggest threat? The sheer amount of threats available.