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Religion

MineralMan

(148,357 posts) Sat Apr 27, 2019, 09:00 AM Apr 2019

Irony: Sunnyvale man who ran into Muslims was on way to Bible study. [View all]

Last edited Sat Apr 27, 2019, 09:47 AM - Edit history (1)

Is religion beneficial to society? That depends on which religion dominates that society and the people who follow it. Religion can lead to good actions or horrendous actions, as everyone knows.

So, the man in Sunnyvale, CA, who sent his car careening into people he thought were Muslims, was on his way to his Bible Study class. He specifically targeted Muslims because they were, well, Muslims, and not Christians like himself.

Religion is indifferent in its influence on society. It is neither a force for good, nor a force for evil. It is simply a reflection of those who worship it. That's the irony of religion. Religion doesn't care, one way or another. People do things, not religions.

Which leads me to wonder: What is the value of religion to society?

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-isiah-peoples-sunnyvale-crash-crowd-muslim-20190426-story.html

27 replies

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Irony: Sunnyvale man who ran into Muslims was on way to Bible study. [View all] MineralMan Apr 2019 OP

Maybe better for some people than for people generally. Harker Apr 2019 #1

Introspection does not require religion. MineralMan Apr 2019 #3

He had faith he was doing what his gods Voltaire2 Apr 2019 #2

One can find support for almost any human behavior MineralMan Apr 2019 #4

You are obviously confused Major Nikon Apr 2019 #9

Charles Krauthammer said that religion is needed to drive people to conform to the social contract. Girard442 Apr 2019 #5

Well, it's certainly useful in that regard. MineralMan Apr 2019 #6

China definitely had religion and gods as an important part of their culture marylandblue Apr 2019 #16

They need, "You know, if you do that, you'll burn in Hell." Mariana Apr 2019 #7

That's why John 3:16 is their favorite verse Major Nikon Apr 2019 #10

Ah yes, the doctrine of the Eternal Security of the Believer. Girard442 Apr 2019 #15

You have DUers here who use the No True Scotsman regarding Christians who do bad things Major Nikon Apr 2019 #17

Yes, only non-Christians can do bad things. Mariana Apr 2019 #18

Interesting, isn't it? MineralMan Apr 2019 #19

LOL, my rant was really about another thread Mariana Apr 2019 #20

Also religion can never blamed when a religionist does something bad Major Nikon Apr 2019 #21

... Peoples' mother, Leevell Peoples of Sacramento, California, said Wednesday struggle4progress Apr 2019 #8

Nevertheless... MineralMan Apr 2019 #11

I'm confused, is he mild mannered or is he Voltaire2 Apr 2019 #14

That's another excuse Cartoonist Apr 2019 #22

A fact can hardly be dismissed as an "excuse" struggle4progress Apr 2019 #23

Why not blame it on his shoes? Cartoonist Apr 2019 #24

Let's see: the Iraq war was explicitly sold to the public as a great crusade as Islam; struggle4progress Apr 2019 #25

Depending on which part of the Bible his group were studying Mariana Apr 2019 #12

But as for these enemies of mine, ... Major Nikon Apr 2019 #13

when you say "religion" what do you mean? Locrian Apr 2019 #26

Well said MineralMan rickford66 Apr 2019 #27