If one rationally accepts a Universal Morality, where does religion fit in? A religion is a voluntary group an individual may join in order to add meaning and direction to their life.
Almost everyone wants to feel there is a purpose, meaning, and value to their lives.
A religion answers the myriad questions asked by the arational mind. How did life begin? Is there a God? Why am I here? What is the purpose of life? Questions that cannot be answered rationally, and can only be answered by faith.
Believing in God does not prove God exists, but believing in God can be enough.
Religions attempt to provide meaning to life. They do not offer proof. They offer belief. They offer comfort.
They also provide guidance to more mundane questions, such as how to relate to others, what is moral behavior, should I worship God, and, if so, which God and what is the proper manner of worship?
Organized religions have been immensely important in providing meaning to the lives of millions over the centuries. There is great satisfaction in believing one is leading a useful and moral life.
But, there is a danger there as well. All religions are based on an unprovable, arational concept. However fervently a Christian, a Buddhist, a Muslim, or any other believer or atheist states his belief, it is still an opinion and not a provable fact.
And, while one may feel a religion comes from God, earthly men have been the ones who have preached and interpreted what God's words mean. While there may have been many holy men with good intentions, they are still just men with foibles such as hubris and arrogance, and appetites for power and vengeance. Men of God still remain men.
As long as the religion accepts that each individual has the right to believe or not...and accepts that religion does not have the power of the government to force belief or behavior, religion can be a powerful and righteous force in peoples lives.
The power of a religion is derived from within the individual who chooses to believe it. If one believes in the Universal Morality, then a religion that attempts to force its beliefs on others becomes immoral, corrupt, and nothing more than just another political power group.
Even though I am a Christian, I believe that what Christians did during the Crusades was wrong. I believe that Christians should never get in bed with government. I thought the Enlightenment was about getting beyond forced religion, but still a so-called Christian felt entitled to kill a doctor who performed abortions.
Whatever your religion, if your religious leaders are telling you you have the right to force others into compliance, if they are telling you your religious laws should be the laws for all, or even go so far as telling you you have the right to kill someone who disagrees with you, run for the exits. Your leader is manipulating you for earthly power, not for heavenly results.
The Universal Morality accepts and co-exists with all religions, as long as the religions accept and co-exist with each other. When a religion adopts force as an acceptable tool, the religion loses moral standing It becomes a threat to all other religions and individuals..
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