Organized Religion (any faith)

(Thanking a very sweet friend for this link)

After reading a doozy of a link: http://www.alternet.org/belief/149733/5_%27religious%27_organizations_you_should_hate/?page=3 I started to wonder about organized religion. I tend to like the idea of organized religion as long as A: they are not perverted by power-hungry and/or abusive humans and B: there is a nice array of religions/denominations to meet the various needs of differing people groups. However, corrupt and abusive groups have gotta go.

What do you think about Organized Religion?

Good? Bad? Indifferent?

Where should the moral baseline be regarding 'acceptable' groups and 'organizations you should hate'?

All thoughts are welcome!

~Sakha

I'm not really a group person.

I don't think you should hate anyone, just not associate with them, and since I don't really associate anyone.....

Gotta admire your independent (and logical) spirit ALL.

There is a reason my avatar is a bear....

Of course, when you're that way, it's just the way you are.

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:when you're that way, it's just the way you are.

That is the foundation for how I raise my children; offering them a safe environment to develop the being they already are (as opposed to crunching them into a mold of what someone else things they should be.) It's not easy and it's not impressive... but it's honest. In any case.... ALL, you are one self-actualized bear.

I know you are not really a group person and I respect that. And it's true that a few places online fill the need to gather & share mutual growls

I kinda went off on Marie, didn't I?

((((ALL)))))

We be human.

Truth be told, you both had a point.

Consider, just driving in my own state I can see huge red and yellow signs near freeways reading "Jesus is Lord" and ... how would I feel if I saw "Allah is Lord" signs? Or "there is no God" signs? I would rant like no one's business!

That being said, in a perfect world, it would be very nice if people could avoid lumping all Christians into the same category. Though there are many who are... we all aren't.

There are many fine Christians who are good humans and thoughtful too. That one was just insensitive.

But back to your question, I have had many wonderful and fun times in an organized religion. Like an old minister of mine said when I was moving, find a good church and when I laughed and said "Don't worry, I'll find a Presbyterian church." He stopped me and said "No, I said find a good church, one with good people in it." He didn't care what denomination it was as long as the people in it were good people and you know, that was excellent advice.

Another excellent piece of advice came from my dad who said to judge people by how they treated the weakest beings around them, be it animals or humans. So if you run into a group that makes weaker people wear funny clothes, not have as many rights as they do, take advantage of them sexually, beat them up and so on, well then they aren't good people, no matter what their religion is, organized or not.

Yes, All, you were a very bad bear! However, at least you have your head in your paw!

I totally agree with Sak.....I really wish people would stop lumping all Christians together. Not all of us are nasty and insensitive! I try to be tolerant of everyone's religions, no matter what they are. All I ask for in return is the same tolerance.

Anyway, back on topic....I like organized religion. It provides me with a sense of community. As a group we can do a lot of good....and have fun while doing it!

I have no idea what moral baseline could be used to determine acceptable vs. hateable. Obviously, those that don't hurt anybody else would be acceptable.....but hateable? I'm not sure on that one.

organized religion?
depends upon the level
on the local level-I'm in favor-thats where it stops
don't believe in regional, National or worldwide organizations dictating to me what I should believe

Davelaw wrote:organized religion?
depends upon the level
on the local level-I'm in favor-thats where it stops
don't believe in regional, National or worldwide organizations dictating to me what I should believe

Carve that in stone and put it on the wall of every local schoolhouse, post office, barbershop and bar; for it is the single most clear plan for maximizing the positive effects of religious groups, and minimizing not only the negative effects of, but the attration for negative personality types for religious groups.

Faith without politics is a blessing. Politics and faith are a danger.

John T Mainer wrote:
Faith without politics is a blessing. Politics and faith are a danger.

And organized religion rarely manages to escape the siren song of politics. In fact, that churchgoers tend to believe in the decency and honesty of the clergy only gives the truly venal ones free rein to play their political and even criminal games, often in stark contrast to the virtues and ideals to which they give lip service.

No. Enough of it for me.

gillyflower wrote:Another excellent piece of advice came from my dad who said to judge people by how they treated the weakest beings around them, be it animals or humans.

Really lovely advise Gilly; have taken it to heart, thank you!

Beribee wrote:I like organized religion. It provides me with a sense of community. As a group we can do a lot of good....and have fun while doing it!

True Beribee, when organizations are healthy and fruitful, they can not only provide a sense of community, but people can pool their resources and do amazing things... really put their beliefs into practice and make a positive change in the world. (We have too many examples of this formula working to the detriment of our society... but there really are organizations doing good things.)

DotNotInOz wrote:

John T Mainer wrote:
Faith without politics is a blessing. Politics and faith are a danger.

And organized religion rarely manages to escape the siren song of politics. In fact, that churchgoers tend to believe in the decency and honesty of the clergy only gives the truly venal ones free rein to play their political and even criminal games, often in stark contrast to the virtues and ideals to which they give lip service.

No. Enough of it for me.

Totally respect your feelings DOT. People often fail to follow their own scriptures, exchanging vows to do good for the illusion of power. I suppose I'm still inspired by folks - like Sara Miles, the Beatitude Society et al - who are just amazing... and it gives me hope that one day I'll hook up with people to be more effective with putting my faith (such as it is) into practice.

BTW, thanks for your responses everyone... this is still a topic I struggle with and am trying to work out.

Peace!