Is religion changing too slowly?

Question

My dad has a theory, i am not saying i agree its just a theory, he says that the bible written by a group of very clever people in order to keep the growing human race in check- jesus was an amazing man but was he the son of a god? If my dad is correct then these clever men have succeeded, in that the world has followed the teachings of the Bible,Qur'an ect, but is religion now slowing us down, is there a need for religion when the majority of its teachings have already been adopted in to modern society and laws. Is religion actually causing more trouble now than it is solving. Is it changing to slowly and creating large sociological divides.

I say this as a question and i am only looking for honest opinions- i am not out to hurt anyone. i am atheist. Im me if you feel you need to speak to me in person. No abuse please!

Answer 1

Oh, wow!  Where do I begin?

1) The Bible (including the Old and New Testaments) was "written" by a combination of dozens of men spread out over thousands of years.  It's highly illogical to think that they could have done that for the purpose of keeping the "human race in check."

2) If you are referring specifically to the New Testament, then most of those in the "group of very clever people" died in very tortuous manners.  They did so at their own expense and at their own choice (there is no evidence of any of the apostles attempting to escape or evade the Earthly consequences of their constant preaching).  Christianity, as a whole, was persecuted heavily for the first three or four HUNDRED years!  And, most of those who claimed to be Christians became outcasts of society.  They were mocked, ridiculed, and driven from the marketplaces (which made it hard for them to buy and sell anything).

3) Jesus claimed to be THE Son of God.  That claim means that He is either THE Son of God or He is an insanely moronic blasphemer.  It has to be one or the other, He cannot be both and He cannot simply be "an amazing man."

4) Which Biblical teachings do see having been adopted into modern society?  I ask because, when I look around, I see rampant adultery and divorces for unjustifiable reasons; I see thieves and liars being applauded; I see homosexual preachers proclaiming that it is okay for people to ignore God's word; I see people who care more about their new cars than those who care about helping widows and orphans.  Most people don't know the Ten Commandments, and those who do don't see any need to follow them.

5) I agree that there is a large divide between the values of true Christians and the values of the world.  But, I differ greatly with the cause and effect.  The divide is not due to religion failing to adapt quickly enough.  The divide is a direct result of humanity moving farther and farther away from its Creator!

Please do not think of this as abusive; I do not intend to insult or hurt.  I am only answering your question to the best of my ability in the most honest way I can.

Answer 2

I agree with your dad.  Religion has prevented the world's ability to become one world, one people.  This would eliminate probably as much as 95% of the world problems.

It has also prevented science and medicine from developing to the point we could have a cure for the common cold, cancer, aids and many other diabilating diseases.  We would also not be so dependent on oil.

Answer 3

well i dont really believe that. many common things that we dont even notice have its credits from religion. many early inventions were influenced by religions. all men are created equal, god given rights, marriage before s*x, and etc. it may not speed us up now but we are never smart enough for it to slow us down. many sciences also have proven that spirituality is good for the inner body.

Answer 4

Welcome to a search that may very well last you the rest of your thinking life.

First, the need for answers is innate to human. Second, answers are not always easy for us to find or to know. Religion, much like science and alchemy, is a means of questing for knowledge. Unlike science, which tries to answer questions using empirical tests and observances, religion conjectures (best guess without any absolute proof) to try to arrive at a reasonable answer for questions that are (to them) unanswerable through proof.

Furthermore, it should be noted that all of our major, legitimate religions are based on various older stories. (Noah's flood is predated by Gilgamesh, which itself is predated by older floods. Monotheism dates back to ancient Egyptian Amun-Ra. Hercules was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman). So religions at the least should be thought of as a proud continuance of our human story-telling and knowledge searches.

As to whether or not religion is slowing us down, that's a sort of moot point. There will always be skeptics of ideas (scientific or theological), and humans will always fight and bicker over something. It'll be land or wealth or energy or booze, if not religion. The only way that will change is if we find common enemy amongst the stars.