Is Religion Damaging?

[naomi24]

A friend distraught and in floods of tears called me today. Her daughter has split from her selfish, uncaring husband. ‘’Good”, you might say, as I did, but no, it isn’t good because my friend is a God-fearing Baptist and now fervently believes that because her beloved daughter vowed before God to remain with the man she married until death, she is destined for hell - and nothing but nothing will convince her otherwise. She is in misery.

Is religion damaging? Yes - indeed it is.

[TheDevil]

Yes.

[wolf63]

Religion does more harm than good.

Ask your friens- if her daughter were to accidentally murder her husband would that make it better?

[Mamyalynne]

It certainly can be if it instils fear into the minds and hearts of its followers as appears to have happened to your poor friend.

[woofgang]

Like many other powerful forces, yes it can be.

[Ken4155]

Yes. Religion is the root of all evil, imho.

[Patsy33]

YES!

[tiggerblue10]

Yes, I think it is damaging in many ways.

[Khandro]

//Is religion damaging? Yes - indeed it is.//

You've answered your own question, why not give yourself Best Answer?

[jakep]

An emphatic YES.

[naomi24]

Khandro, I would if I could. Why not have a go at answering the question?

[retrocop]

I don't necessarily believe so. I believe it depends on one's state of mind. It most certainly can become an obsession and take over one's life I suppose. Better men than I have found it comforting in times of danger or trouble. Bit like alcohol I suppose.
I would imagine survivors of Manchester Arena may consider the fanaticism of certain religious adherents very dangerous and damaging. I can think of jourdain who sings in her Church choir and ,with her fellow choristers, bring pleasure to those who enjoy singing.
Church collections for the needy. Yes. Long before people were harping on about food banks the Church has had it's harvest festival.

[naomi24]

You don't think this is damaging to my friend, Retro?

[johnny.5]

no I do not think it is in general
and if your friend were to speak to their church leader then perhaps they will be able to put it into some perspective god willing

[retrocop]

naomi
I believe it is too early to say. I would hope that,if she is that committed to her religion, she will have fellow devotees (friends) who may console her. Of course her fellow devotees may do more harm than good and confine her daughter to the depths of hell.
Perhaps the Minister is the person your friend should approach.

[Khandro]

n. //I would if I could. Why not have a go at answering the question?//

I don't know the person, but I suggest you tell her that she should talk to her church minister about her concern, that's what s/he is there for.

[gulliver1]

"Is Religion Damaging " ? Y-E-S.

[naomi24]

Both the Minister and my friend’s husband think the same. They all believe a similar fate awaits her son too. He is gay. I think I may have spoken about him on here before. This makes me really angry. Absolutely sickening.

[naomi24]

Khandro, I asked for your opinion.

[maggiebee]

Maybe your friend just needs to suck it up. The Queen is head of the Church of England, but her sister, daughter and two sons divorced. Her grandson also married a divorcee. What makes your friend any different?

[naomi24]

//What makes your friend any different? //

She's not a member of the Church of England. She's a God-fearing Baptist - something very different. These people are in no doubt that unless you are 'born again' you will go to hell - and that's without being divorced or gay.