What is the Role of Religion in Society?

[GenX]

These two articles, while not directly about the issue, nevertheless cut to the fundamental question: what is religion's role in civilized society?

" Seven thousand evangelical Christians from nearly 100 countries are in Israel this week to show support for the Jewish state.

Many Israelis warmly welcome the Christian pilgrims. But a growing number are concerned about missionary activity.

This year, Israel's chief rabbis said Jews should not become involved in any of the evangelical events."

LINK (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14972371)


"Hoping to head off what they call "intimidation tactics" by liberal interest groups, several leading Christian organizations have jointly issued a letter to pastors across America, explaining what churches can and cannot legally do during an election season.

The eight-page letter is being released more than a year before Americans vote on a new president, with the goal of answering questions that always arise concerning the church's role in politics."

LINK (http://www.townhall.com/news/religion/2007/10/03/what_can_churches_do_during_elections?page=full&comments=true)

[Return of Too Many Daves]

It gives old people a social network to play bingo with when all their friends have died.

[GenX]

That's the obvious and primary answer.

I'm talking more like secondary things: such as saving souls and creating a better world.

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Isn't that a bit trivial for this type of forum?

[GenX]

What, the article or my answer?

[dancingqueen]

Currently I see religion's role seems to be to divide people from each other for the most part. Granted, done properly (by non-radicals for instance) it has the potential to spread great morals, values, compassion and maybe even unconditional love wich is not really so bad.

[GRUMPY]

They are much like unions they'll promise you the moon but actually are only interested in whats in your wallet and on how to get most if not all of it.

[GenX]

I agree with Grumpy's portrayal of unions; but I think it's pretty obvious unions and religion are vastly different.

Unions deal with the material world, religion the transcendent spiritual world.

[Bob Toe]

The Role of Religion in Society is to provide a country with a reason to wage war on it's neighbours and to enslave it's own people.

[GRUMPY]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Speedy the Arrogant Parrot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree with Grumpy's portrayal of unions; but I think it's pretty obvious unions and religion are vastly different.

Unions deal with the material world, religion the transcendent spiritual world.

</div></div>

Can you say Bingo or pass the plate? Or "Oh you want an divorce, I'm sorry but you can if you're a RC however if you're willing to cough up some cash we can make it as if it never happened."

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bobtoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Role of Religion in Society is to provide a country with a reason to wage war on it's neighbours and to enslave it's own people. </div></div>

So all wars have had religion as the primary reason they began?

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grumpy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Speedy the Arrogant Parrot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree with Grumpy's portrayal of unions; but I think it's pretty obvious unions and religion are vastly different.

Unions deal with the material world, religion the transcendent spiritual world.

</div></div>

Can you say Bingo or pass the plate? Or "Oh you want an divorce, I'm sorry but you can if you're a RC however if you're willing to cough up some cash we can make it as if it never happened." </div></div>

Most uneducated people try to hide the fact.

Gotta' like Grumpy... he wears his ignorance as a point of pride.

[GRUMPY]

Ha, must have hit close to home seeing you are already at the insult stage; gotta love your predictability.

[GenX]

"Close to home"? How?

I am amazed at how you glory in your ignorance, nothing more, nothing less.

[GRUMPY]

and now to lead us astray from the topic, that too right on cue.

[The Berean]

Percentage of Catholics in the general US population: about 25.

Percentage of Catholics in the US prison system: about 50 or better.

Some religions do better than otheres.

[GRUMPY]

now we know why theres a shortage of priests

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ConKat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Percentage of Catholics in the general US population: about 25.

Percentage of Catholics in the US prison system: about 50 or better.

Some religions do better than otheres. </div></div>


/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rofl.gif /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rofl.gif

Where's the link to this story??? /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rofl.gif

We know how many sociological studies are done on the religious preferences of criminals! /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rofl.gif

Conkat, you made my week!!! /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wavey.gif

[GenX]

Stats (http://www.adherents.com/misc/adh_prison.html)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ConKat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Percentage of Catholics in the US prison system: about 50 or better.
</div></div>

Catholic 29,267 31.432%
Protestant 26,162 28.097%
None/Atheist/Unknown 18,537 19.908%
Muslim 5,435 5.837%
American Indian 2,408 2.586%
Nation of Islam 1,734 1.862%
Rastafarian 1,485 1.595%
Jewish 1,325 1.423%
Church of Christ 1,303 1.399%
Pentecostal 1,093 1.174%
Moorish 1,066 1.145%
Buddhist 882 0.947%
Jehovah's Witnesses 665 0.714%
Adventist 621 0.667%
Eastern Orthodox 375 0.403%
Latter-day Saints 298 0.320%
Scientology 190 0.204%
Hindu 119 0.128%
Santeria 117 0.126%
Sikh 14 0.015%
Baha'i 9 0.010%
ISKCON 7 0.008%
-------------------- ------ --------
Total 93,112 100.000%