What is the problem with religion? | Faith Forum – Reno Gazette Journal

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Rajan Zed(Photo: RGJ archives)

Although lot of literature has been produced highlighting the strengths and benefits of religion, many have associated the following problems with religion: conflict with science, curtailing freedoms, delusion, claims of having the exclusive truth, fear of punishment, feeling guilt, immutability, instilling fear, internal conflicts, irrationality, justification of violence, limitation on the rights of women, outdatedness, perpetuation of division, persecution, prejudice, rebuffing of broader perspective, social constructs, strange customs, strainedrelationships for partners of different faiths, the structure, the suppression of curiosity, its use as a tool for control, unsophisticatedness, etc.

Some complain thatreligion is used as a reward for "us," and a punishment for "others." Somecritics sum up the problem by saying religion is a noun, not a verb adherents are more interested in the status of their faith, rather than acting on it.

The list of criticisms is long.

The ancient Mundaka Upanishad tells us:

"By truth, meditation, and self-control

One can enter into this state of joy

Truth is victorious, never untruth

Truth is the way; truth is the goal of life" (3.1.5-6).

We asked our panel: What is the problem with religion?

Kenneth G. Lucey, philosophy/religion professor emeritus, University of Nevada

Kenneth Lucey(Photo: RGJ file)

I believe the major problem with religions generally is the manner in which most people acquire their religion, viz. acquiring beliefs from early childhood authority figures. Most religious group members hold beliefs because those views are what they were taught as children. If one is a Muslim it is because one was raised a Muslim. If one is a Mormon it is because ones parents were Mormon. If you were raised in a Catholic, Jewish or Hindu family, you most likely will remain a member of that religion.

This is not universally true, of course. People do sometimes acquire new religious beliefs as adults but when that occurs, it is often the result of the influence of some charismatic individual. It is not the inherent truth or falsity of doctrines that cause beliefs, but rather the personal authority of the influential individuals who raised or educated the child.

Sherif A. Elfass, president, Northern Nevada Muslim Community

Sherif Elfass(Photo: Theresa Danna-Douglas, provided to the RGJ)

From my perspective, the problem with religion lies within its followers and not with the religion itself. All religions call for compassion, respect, equity, generosityand peace. Nevertheless, over the years, the followers of many religions started to deviate from the actual teachings of these religions. Their spirituality, which is linking religious acts to their purpose and meaning in life, started to fade away. For example, nowadays many religiously identified people lie, despite the fact that all religions prohibit lying. Muslim daily prayers became a routine exercise rather than a deterrent from committing any evil.

A compounded problem with Islamis confusing culture with religion. For example, Islam condemns honor killings and banning women from obtaining education or drivers license. Nevertheless, this was the practice of an Islamic country until recent years. Religions problems stem from the behavior of its followers.

Charles T. Durante, vicar general, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno

Charles Durante(Photo: Provided by Charles Durante)

While we believe that the foundation of religion flows from God, the structure and practice of religion is made and carried out by human beings. The problem lies in the expectation that, because the religion is about God and holiness and doing the right, all those involved in the religion will always act accordingly.

Human beings are frail and subject to whim, emotion, ego, influence, judgmentalism and sin. We try our best to teach the ways of the Lord, both through words and actions. However, as imperfect beings, religious people can fail to live out those teachings in their lives or get confused in how those teachings are to be applied. The holier than thou syndrome all too often can rear its ugly head, bringing with it exclusivity or even condemnation of others. Religion becomes a problem when human beings forget their place and assume the role of God.

Matthew T. Fisher, resident priest, Reno Buddhist Center

Matthew Fisher(Photo: Provided to the RGJ)

Religions imperfectly transmit their message, even if they are supremely truth-filled. This is because of the human teachers who share the message. At each stage of student receiving instruction there is artifact and loss, as well as embellishment and personal bias. Traditions that stress the individual experience are less prone to these degradations, but certainly not immune.

In the case of Buddhism, the Buddha initially was not sure that teaching his Dharma was even possible. In the Ayacana Sutra he says this about teaching:Enough now with teaching; What only with difficulty I reached. This is Dharma not easily realized for those overcome with aversion and passion; What is unobvious, subtle, deep, hard to see, going against the flow those delighting in passion, cloaked in darkness will not see. But he was persuaded to teach anyway, despite the limitations of language and groups of followers.

Micheal L. Peterson, northwestNevada media specialist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Micheal L. Peterson(Photo: Provided by Rajan Zed)

The problem with religion is the people who misinterpret the divine messages contained within the scriptures that they claim as a guide to the way they live their lives. There are those who use their religion as license to create civil unrest and even mayhem. How many innocent people have died in the name of God?This is something that God does not condone through His word to mankind. The fact that there are so many conflicting teachings regarding various tenants of religion is reflective of mankinds confusion in interpreting Gods word.

God is not the author of confusion. Paul taught, "... there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, not several (Ephesians 4:5). True religion is love and service to all. Our task is to continue to work toward following the word of God Till we all come in the unity of the faith (Ephesians 4:13).

Anthony Shafton, author and atheist thinker

Anthony Shafton(Photo: MagicToush Photo Studio, provided to the RGJ)

Religions greatest problem is that it is religion, a form of knowledge based on faith rooted in a prescientific world view. No matter how sensible and sound many of its teachings, no matter how it tries to get with an up-to-date viewpoint, or to what extent it acknowledges uncertainty, religion unavoidably asserts nonsense from a scientific standpoint. As for science, while it has a reputation for hard facts, actually science requires the acceptance of uncertainty, that is of probability. Science never pretends to reach absolute truth.

But you know the maximour weaknesses are our strengths, and vice versa. The weakness of science is that it has nothing positive to say beyond the limits of the scientific method. The strength of religion is that it fills that void with faith.

Incidentally, the beauty of atheism is that it is a faith (yes it is) fully consistent with the scientific method.

Karen A. Foster, minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada

Karen A. Foster(Photo: Provided to the RGJ)

The problem is not religion; the problem is how we treat each other in the name of religion. This dangerous phenomenon happens when religious beliefs or ideologies or political beliefs are taken to extreme. Ones political, ideologicaland religious beliefs are often intertwined. When the extremist becomes convinced, often at the hands of cultlike persuasion, that their beliefs are the only ones that are right and worthwhile, and that everyone and everything else is wrong and must be overpowered, this is extremism at its most insidious. The perpetrators of extremism lose sight of the importance of coexistence, pluralism, tolerance and acceptance, sometimes even within their own families.

Much can be gained by the sharing of differing beliefs, perspectivesand experiences within and between religions. This optimal approach and what religion calls us to do leads to interfaith cooperation, multiculturalismand understanding, which Faith Forum is proud to encourage and promote.

ElizaBeth Webb Beyer, Jewish Rabbi

ElizaBeth W. Beyer(Photo: RGJ file)

In America, religions lack an emphasis teaching humility. Moses was the most capable prophet and leader, who spoke to G-d face-to-face, because of his humble nature. As it says, Now the man Moses was very humble, above all those upon the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3).

Although religions provide a path to G-d, which includes the ethical treatment of self and others, there is a failure to prioritize humility. If we were more humble, we would surely be less judgmental. Our attitude would be one of caring and compassion for others. Neighbor would be a moral construct, not a geographical concept(R Joachim Prinz). We would work on being our best, not micromanaging our neighbors. We would have less inflated egos. We would stop telling other people why they are wrong or how to live their lives but rather, we would lead by example.

Stephen R. Karcher, presiding priest, Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church

Stephen Karcher(Photo: RGJ file)

Theology aside, we can generally assume, whether were speaking of religion or any other institution, that when problems arise, their origin is usually a person. Author Melissa Martindescribes how we come with flaws, faults, and problems. People make blunders, mistakes, and errors. We are heroes and villains on a continuum scale. Pastors, police, and politicians fall out of favor. Housewives, helpers, and healers fall out of favor. It is our fallen, broken, perverse, rebellious, sinful, and self-willed tendencies that often get the best of us and impact our families, workplaces, and societies.

Psychology Today once asked Is man good or bad? The answer, both. Our species is wonderfully good, caring and creative beyond words, yet simultaneously man is one rotten manipulator, exploiter, abuser, and killer. However, lets be careful and remember that, just as Albert Einstein once said, we cannot despair of humanity, since we ourselves are human beings.

Nancy Lee Cecil, Bahai teacher

Nancy Lee Cecil Nancy Cecil(Photo: Provided to the RGJ)

In a recent conversation with an older gentleman about religion, he volunteered that, as an orphan during the war in Germany, he had been sent to parochial schools. He had become disillusioned with religion, observing much ritual and prayer but little concern to help those struggling.

His comments resonated with a problem I have about anyreligion where proponents are busy praying in their churches while folks are dying on their lawns! While this is sometimes (figuratively) the case, I assured my friend that the issue is with adherents misconstruing religions purpose; indeed, the founders of every religion stress deeds over words.

Consider the following quotes:

Bahai Writings: Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.

The New Testament: do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased (Hebrews 13:16).

The Quran: if there is a good deed, Allah multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward (4:40).

Bryan J. Smith, co-lead pastor, Summit Christian Church, Sparks

Bryan J. Smith(Photo: Provided to the RGJ)

Religion is a man-made construct attempting to create connection between humanity and some deity. Rules, structures and hierarchy are established in an effort to give purpose and meaning to life as we search for a higher power. This is a broken system where the creation is creating the Creator andthe rules of engagement with that deity.

However, when we move from religion to relationship as prescribed by God in his word things change for the positive. Rather than creating rules, relationship is found. We discover who God is as hes revealed himself to us. We also discover who we are in him. Rules, checklists, even worry over how were "doing religion"fall by the wayside. Greater freedom is found in connecting with God in spirit and truth in ways that are life-giving. Anything short of that, i.e. religion, will leave us wanting in the end.

Pamela A. Pech, creator of Discovery of SelfPrograms

Pamela Pech(Photo: Provided by Rajan Zed)

I believe some of the greatest intangible gifts God has given humanity are free will, the ability to be curious, to discover, make mistakes, to learn and grow. Other beautiful gifts are the ability to discern and choose our truth based on our unique personal experiences.

Unfortunately religions, per se, take those gifts away. Most religions dictate what to believe, how our actions must look to correspond with what we have been taught as the only true way to God, and threaten punishment to the extent of eternal damnationif we do not follow specific rules. My studies of religions felt that they not only dictate what I must believe and how I must live, but literally take away my gift of experiencing and discovering God for myself that loving Conscious Dynamic Energy that appears in my life and teaches me firsthand what God is.

Next weeks topic: What is the biggest reason for excommunication from your religion?

Faith Forum is a weekly dialogue on religion produced by religious statesman Rajan Zed. Send questions or comments to rajanzed@gmail.com or on Twitter at @rajanzed.

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What is the problem with religion? | Faith Forum - Reno Gazette Journal