A Person manipulated by Religion can do both, good or bad

It is, I believe, normal that everybody at some point of his life reconsiders his religious beliefs. Those who are believers of a certain religion wonder whether it is really right or they find another religion more attractive. Those who don’t believe in any religion wonder whether they are missing out on any benefits of religion and just in general people are facing the question of what religion gives to them and to humanity in general. Let me explain you why I believe that both, good and bad, can be fuelled by religion and why I think you should nevertheless not believe in any of them.

Obviously it is clear that there are a lot of cruelties committed by religion. Wars have been fought on the name of religion, people were forcefully converted and terrorists of different religions kill innocent people. Religion means giving people a belief that they have to blindly follow. This is how even very bad people could get others to believe in what they were doing and to follow them, doing bad together with them. You don’t need to think or use your own mind. Intelligence or feeling for others is not required, just believe!

On the other hand however there have been people who have done wonderful and great things due to religion. Great charities have helped thousands of people, feeding them, showing them ways to feed themselves and much more. You will find this kind of orders in every religion. People are told to help the needy and those who really believe will do that because they follow what is written.

So when people say that good was done because of religion, I agree and say ‘Yes, that is true!’ People have been inspired to do extremely good deeds – but in the same way others have been inspired to do extremely bad things, too. The worst and the best can both come from religion and I believe the problem is the manipulation of religion and the lack of responsibility of the believers.

It is as though religion made you drunk and you can do either good or bad and you will go to extremes in whatever direction you choose. You are not in full control of yourself, you are still following instructions from another source. Religion and religious leaders gave the idea to suicide bombers that they would go to heaven if they killed themselves and enough people of another faith. Religion and religious leaders also told people to build orphanages and save children from starvation.

I believe it would be best if you step aside for a moment and look into your own heart. Try to keep out the orders that you got from religion and use your own mind and feelings. See that you have morals that don’t originate from religious instructions but from your own heart.

I would love people to do good from their own feeling for others, from an inner need to help and support. And I believe that without religion and more responsibility for yourself, there would be less chance of people committing such horrible crimes as they are today with religion and due to religion.