Thursday, September 21, 2006
Religion not the root of all evil?
In class we often discuss religion as a cause/excuse/explanation for many evils. Today's global scenarios make it easy to forget the role of religion in many acts of good. Today a lecture was delivered called "Why Good People Do Nothing". I went noting the obvious relation to our class. My first reaction was that of being put off by the Christian undertones (although the sponsorship by the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship could have tipped me off) until I put the whole thing in a different perspective. The speaker represented the International Justice Mission, which currently seeks out and fights global human justice issues such as slavery, illegal detention and corrupt police activity, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. The presentation described case studies and facts that nobody could deny as awful reminders of the human rights abuses over world. I have a propensity to be turned off by faith-based organizations, they make me uncomfortable and although I did feel that slightly during the presentation, I have a new understanding and appreciation for organizations such as this that truly root out evil and apply plausible multi-dimensional solutions. Though the global problems brought up were not new to me, it got me thinking more about the many people for whom religion is a strong factor in encouraging goodness, which sadly I had forgotten about.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
War against Euphoria
Hate Hope and Human Rights At least that's what the addicts describe it as. In 2020 alone, an estimated 9.5 million Americans, just A...
-
The United States has consistently tiptoed around Chinese human rights issues. An American politician may occasional issue a condemnation ...
-
The UN will celebrate its 60th birthday on October 24th. But as Meg L., suggests below, not many will be celebrating. Chris B, goes a step f...
2 comments:
Although we tend to look at religion in a negative light, it is definetly important to remember that religion can also have a positive affect in people's lives. In the terms of this class, I feel that we usually see religion as perpetuating acts of violence, but it's great that Jamie has reminded us that religion can also have a positive role.
Let me give a few examples which I have seen from personal experience:
1.) Religion, no matter its form provides a source of hope and consolation for millions of people. I was in Mexico this past summer and lived which a poor family. Often, when they had nothing else to look forward to, they found solace in their religion. Through their faith, they found purpose and meaning in their lives. This facet of religion applies not only to Mexicans but all people of all faiths around the world.
2.) In times of global and/or local struggle, Churches, temples etc... give alot back to their communities and donate millions of dollars to charities. In my town there is a church which provides food to those who cannot afford it. They also pay for heat for the less fortunate and send a group of people to build houses in Mexico each year. Religious groups provide a community in which to carry out public service.
So, in light of all that has happened globally in the name of religion (ie. terrorism), I hope we can still remember that religion is a positive influence in the lives of many.
Given the discussion about God, religion, and good and evil, I though this article in the Christian Science Monitor would be especially interesting to everyone:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0925/p08s02-comv.html?s=hns
The article is on "America and the God question"
Post a Comment