Benefits and harms of organized religion in modern societies

Religion -- Pros and Cons of Religion in Society

Some form of religion is common to all known human societies and there is evidence of prehistoric religious beliefs and ceremonies practically everywhere that ancient human remains and anthropological artifacts are found. To a great extent, religious values have played a role even in shaping some of the secular laws of many societies. In some respects, religion may provide valuable benefits to society; however, it is hard to deny that religious differences have been the single most significant source of the antagonism that has inspired armed conflicts among nations and peoples. Organized religion has been directly responsible for tremendous human suffering throughout the world. On the other hand, millions of people derive confidence and moral guidance from religious teachings. While the issue is often framed in terms of a choice between whether or not religion is beneficial, it may be better described as an effort to identify the best and worst aspects of organized religion and to understand how to apply the beneficial principles of religion and minimize the destructive principles of religion.

The Argument for Religion as a Necessary Institution in Human Societies

Religion provides essential moral principles and encourages a spirit of unity and communal benefit. Regardless of who actually wrote the Ten Commandments (i.e. whether it was a "God" or merely a man), the simple rules expressed on the tablets revealed by Moses to the Israelites have been the basis of human moral values for two millennia. In contemporary times, churches, synagogues, mosques, and other institutions of religious worship have become fully integrated into modern communities; generally, they are the principal source of communal goodwill and charitable services in their communities.

Conclusion

It would seem that most of the benefits of religion could be taught as part of the socialization process without a religious background. If human beings can learn to control their negative impulses and to derive motivation to be moral from learned religious values, they can learn all of the same values in a secular context just as easily. By extracting the most useful and beneficial aspects of organized religion and eliminating the natural source of antagonism between people with different beliefs about their supposed "gods," society could derive most (even all) of the benefits of organized religion without the bitter antagonism and intolerance that organized religion has inspired ever since human societies first realized that their respective religious beliefs were mutually exclusive.

Sources Consulted

Armstrong K. (1993). A History of God. London: Heinemann.

Einstein a. (1954). Ideas and Opinions. New York: Crown

Rooney a. (2006). Einstein: In His Own Words. New York: Random House.

Sagan C. (1997). Billions & Billions: Thoughts of Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium. New York: Random House.