Spring Break
Religion is a man-made creation
Kristi Relaz
Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: Opinion
We are currently experiencing a shift in attitudes toward organized religion. In a recent article, Beliefnet.com reported that 68 percent of Americans had confidence in institutionalized religion in 1975, and that number dropped to a mere 45 percent of Americans in 2003. Generations as a whole are developing more liberal views as more scientific facts and humanitarian ideas are learned.
Though there is a decline in members belonging to organized religion, that doesn't mean there is a decline in morality. The words "morality" and "religion" are not synonyms.
My favorite example to support this idea is Jim Bakker, the great American televangelist and minister - that is before he allegedly raped a woman, embezzled millions and went to jail for fraud. I will reiterate that even though Bakker was born a "Christian," he was not automatically ingrained with Christian values. This is because religion is not a natural, organic entity. It is only the religious ideologies that tell us this.
For example, Christianity in the U.S. is only a reflection of the ruling class - no coincidence it is predominantly Christian. If you learn anything (like organized religion) is natural, or "God-given," that is when you must question. The Bible did not exist before humans; humans created the Bible - that is fact.
Still, people today justify their actions and beliefs by the word of the Bible as if it is the literal word of God. There is no way to prove that, and some archeological evidence actually proves otherwise.
Hegel, a 19th century philosopher, argued that if you are a member of an organized religion, you become a product of that religion and not a product of humanity, where you are unable to distinguish between a religious consciousness and your natural human consciousness.
Hegel, as well as his contemporaries, believe that religion estranges people from their own fundamental powers because they attribute these powers to it, not themselves.
Though there is a decline in members belonging to organized religion, that doesn't mean there is a decline in morality. The words "morality" and "religion" are not synonyms.
My favorite example to support this idea is Jim Bakker, the great American televangelist and minister - that is before he allegedly raped a woman, embezzled millions and went to jail for fraud. I will reiterate that even though Bakker was born a "Christian," he was not automatically ingrained with Christian values. This is because religion is not a natural, organic entity. It is only the religious ideologies that tell us this.
For example, Christianity in the U.S. is only a reflection of the ruling class - no coincidence it is predominantly Christian. If you learn anything (like organized religion) is natural, or "God-given," that is when you must question. The Bible did not exist before humans; humans created the Bible - that is fact.
Still, people today justify their actions and beliefs by the word of the Bible as if it is the literal word of God. There is no way to prove that, and some archeological evidence actually proves otherwise.
Hegel, a 19th century philosopher, argued that if you are a member of an organized religion, you become a product of that religion and not a product of humanity, where you are unable to distinguish between a religious consciousness and your natural human consciousness.
Hegel, as well as his contemporaries, believe that religion estranges people from their own fundamental powers because they attribute these powers to it, not themselves.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 23
KiteSaber
posted 2/17/08 @ 9:55 PM CST
First of all let us remember that not all religions follow the Bible. Some religions follow other books like the Vedas, the Koran and The Tibetan Book of the Dead. (Continued…)
What's new?
posted 2/17/08 @ 10:03 PM CST
So what you are saying is that we shouldn't have religion in our lives even though it is a fundamental, natural right that our country was primarily based on? It is wrong to follow a path that is peaceful even though we may fail from time to time? It is wrong to pick ourselves up again and keep following that path? This is typical, liberal, college newspaper trash. (Continued…)
Jimmy Peterson
posted 2/18/08 @ 9:05 AM CST
AMEN!
Kristi... Kudos for you getting up and saying what you believe. That is as much your right as it is a Christian's right to believe what they do. (Continued…)
Zach
posted 2/18/08 @ 1:11 PM CST
Thanks for the tip Kristi, I will not use bible verses, even though you did. Good luck at the bad timing awards, because slamming religion and proclaiming there is no decline in morality after six innocent people were massacred upstate four days ago will surely get you to the quarter finals. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 2/18/08 @ 5:44 PM CST
Kristi,
Though I commend you on verbalizing your stance against Christianity, I feel sorry for you for that hole that is inside you that you are trying to fill. (Continued…)
Eric Murphy
posted 2/18/08 @ 8:35 PM CST
I have struggled with the notion of organized religion and have come to the belief that religion, or a "higher power" is a psychological element that fulfills us, especially the older we get when we realize that mortality is non existent. (Continued…)
Kryptoss Koay
posted 2/18/08 @ 9:05 PM CST
I must say all books of religion were created by man. If you can show me a book that some god wrote, bring it forth. If not then this statement is true, religion is man-made. (Continued…)
bee
posted 2/19/08 @ 7:01 AM CST
this reminds me of the sociology of religion (480) course i took at western in 2001... a powerful course, if i may. But let us forget religion as we knew it, and instead google "HR 1955" . (Continued…)
Tessa De Young
posted 2/19/08 @ 9:21 PM CST
I always have to laugh when I see Christian bashing in the paper. This is because in order refute a religion, I have yet to see a writer that has done his or her research on the subject. (Continued…)
Jamie Hammack
posted 2/19/08 @ 10:07 PM CST
I respect your views, but if you are going to write an article about religion being a man-made creation, focusing on only ONE religion is not defending your opinion well enough. (Continued…)
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