Which is more dangerous in the wrong hands - Science or Religion?

[Ori]

I believe it is religion, for while science can be dangeorus, it's not something people can brainwash you with.

 

[Ryan2065]

Yet science makes things like atom bombs...

I go with science!

 

[michel]

I believe it is religion, for while science can be dangeorus, it's not something people can brainwash you with.

Thats a very good and deep question, Ori - there is certainly no quick and easy answer. Brainwashing is not the only danger - there are far worse dangers that have very long term effects, and science has unfortunately been the unwitting author of some.

I am thinking of Thalidomide - which was mentioned in a recent thread. Science too is responsible for many of the ecological changes for the worse.

Main-stream Religion does not brainwash; that is the province of cults, whereas science implements changes without enough long term trials - I lived through the use of D.D.T as an insecticide; that was hailed as a wondrous 'tool' when it first came into use.

 

[Fluffy]

Firstly you are getting frubals for coming up with, yet another, interesting thread topic.

Religion is more dangerous in my opinion for a number of reasons. Firstly, it can be used to justify just about anything. Secondly, anyone can use it to their own ends, it costs nothing. Thirdly, it can produce a certain amount of conviction in a person which is nothing like anything I have ever seen.

Science, on the other hand, can be used to create horrific weaponry but I would say that it takes more skill, time and effort to put these things into practice and make an impact and so is less dangerous in terms of risk even though its potential for damage is greater.

 

[jamaesi]

Yet science makes things like atom bombs...

And religion gives a reason to use them, be it religious or "Holy" war.

 

[Scuba Pete]

You forgot "Greed" and "Hate". They are the two things that distort both science AND religion to the point where either can cause great devastation.

 

[Crystallas]

sci·ence (s

ns)
n.

1. The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.
2. Such activities restricted to explaining a limitied class of natural phenomena.
3. Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or study.
4. Knowledge, especially that gained through experience.

Wouldnt Science be more dangerous? Since those who study religion and dont obey to what they study then become scientists more than whatever denomination that they follow? I think that you post good topics, but comparing the two like this is somewhat ignorant.

 

[meogi]

I'm gonna have to go with science... it can be used to hurt the most people (everyone minus/including the user), while religion, instead of hurting as many people as possible, would tend to only benefit the user.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Main-stream Religion does not brainwash;

To be fair, michel, what you call "brainwashing" a cult member would simply refer to as "tools for strengthening faith". I see no difference, in principle, between the chants, songs, rituals, and childhood indoctrination of "mainstream religion" and the brainwashing tactics of cults (though there is often a difference in magnitude). From what I've read and heard, cultmembers are often very intelligent, caring people as well.

I'm going to have to say that science is more dangerous in the wrong hands. Religion may contribute to what makes a person's hands the "wrong" hands....but science, when abused, is what puts weapons in those hands.

 

[Neo-Logic]

I believe it is religion, for while science can be dangeorus, it's not something people can brainwash you with.

Anything, not just placed in the wrong hands, but if used wrongly, can result in a catastrophic ending. Like all things in life, both science and religion has its uses, faults, and potential for disaster.

Science has the power to cure and at the same time, the power to kill by the masses. Religion has the power to instill hope, motivate, and give closure, yet at the same time, it can empower spite into hate and anger into violence.

No one thing is more dangerous than another. Everything has its own potentiality --for both good and evil-- and science and religion are no different.

 

[Crystallas]

How can you brainwash people if you dont know how brainwashing works? = Science.

 

[michel]

To be fair, michel, what you call "brainwashing" a cult member would simply refer to as "tools for strengthening faith". I see no difference, in principle, between the chants, songs, rituals, and childhood indoctrination of "mainstream religion" and the brainwashing tactics of cults (though there is often a difference in magnitude). From what I've read and heard, cult members are often very intelligent, caring people as well.

I'm going to have to say that science is more dangerous in the wrong hands. Religion may contribute to what makes a person's hands the "wrong" hands....but science, when abused, is what puts weapons in those hands.

I have to disagree with you, Mr Spinkles; The 'brainwashing' of cults is far removed from the 'advertisment' of main stream faiths (at least here in England). Christianity doesn't ask for you to commit yourself 100% financially, drop all contact with your family and friends........; intelligence plays no part - intelligent people are targetted on an intelligent level.

The doors aof the Churches used to be always open (alas a thing of the past) - it is your choice as an adult to go into that Church; if you don't like it, noone tries to persuade you to keep coming.

I am talking Cults with a capital 'C' -the ones that tear families apart-that is not something that is in anyway 'Religious'. Having said that, I remember having seen one or two members on this forum who have been rejected by their parents for their beliefs; Having said that (if I remember correctly, NetDoc is one casualty).

There is nothing wrong in showing children the Church -they can choose what they want as adults - my two have.