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I notice that a lot of people like to focus on what religious are most accurate or logical. The impracticality of this method always becomes evident early on in the debates because religions, which are basically a combination of principles and beliefs, always have good and bad principles and beliefs.

But what about social repercussions? Which religions are the most beneficial and the least beneficial to (A) humanity and (B) civilization? And how do the benefits or problems of religion change with time?

Originally posted by Quark_666
Which religions are the most beneficial and the least beneficial to (A) humanity and (B) civilization? And how do the benefits or problems of religion change with time?

No comment.

Honestly, Christianity has been the most beneficial to civilization.

It is from the traditions of Christian philosophy that the scientific revolution was able to gain ground. It is arguable that Islamic and Greek societies had established sciences, but I taking a modern perspective.

Originally posted by inimalist
Honestly, Christianity has been the most beneficial to civilization.

It is from the traditions of Christian philosophy that the scientific revolution was able to gain ground. It is arguable that Islamic and Greek societies had established sciences, but I taking a modern perspective.

How do you figure? Christianity has a long, documented history of suppressing the sciences which continues to this day. Embryonic stem cell research anyone?

Originally posted by Adam_PoE
How do you figure? Christianity has a long, documented history of suppressing the sciences which continues to this day. Embryonic stem cell research anyone?
I remember the good ol' days when people were free to experiment on Jews as they pleased. Some bastards decided to oppose that, though, those science-hating douchetards.

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
I remember the good ol' days when people were free to experiment on Jews as they pleased. Some bastards decided to oppose that, though, those science-hating douchetards.

"embryonic stem cells = born person" and "scientists who do experiments involving embryonic stem cells = Nazis experimenting on Jews" ZOMG!

Most religions have all sorts of both good and bad influences on society, both today and throughout history. And the ones that have remianed peaceful throughout theri history generally don't have much practical impact on our culture and world (which is unfortunate).

Social change has moved progressively toward peace and equality on its own, regardless (and often in spite of) religious influence. We're less violent a global society than were centuries/millenia ago, largely due to our expanded knowledge and conscious awareness of human life and suffering. The areas that differ from this assessment are largely that way because of religious conflict.

So we should feel lucky in that sense. If we were under a theocracy from any religion, things would go to hell in a hurry.

Any one of the local religious solutions to the ills of this world would do nothing to solve the problems, because they're working from such a biased perspective that will polarize people for or against them. On an individual level, people can do a lot of good through their religion, which is thr reason so many people still wish to see the good they do and imagine that it is the "Way". The sadder truth is that any religion, regardless of altruistic intent, falls apart on a larger level because of animosity created by varying religious beliefs. Religious beliefs can be great tools for good, but organized religion is rarely anything but an instrument of destruction, willing or unwilling.