It's complicated discussing religion as a force for good or evil.

On the one hand, religion as a force for good has brought and continues to bring a moral system to humans that helps them strive to be the best of who they can be. It gives people hope, especially in times of deep moral peril. When everything feels hopeless, and that we are all screwed, religion is a comforting thing for thousands because it enforces hope. That hope can be the very thing that makes a lot of people help us get through the darkest hours.

On the other hand, religion as a force of evil is apparent with systems utilizing the concept for personal motives. Or as an excuse to justify bad behavior, sometimes to the lengths of extreme terrorism. Most religion profess they are the one, true religion, and that all others lead to eternal misery. The notion that the religion for followers can be so literal to them, that attempts to accept notions that otherwise contradict the lifestyle a religion calls for, say homosexuality or intersectionality, are viewed as hostile and ultimately suppressed.

We can debate the existence of at least one god endlessly, and we will still be unable to come to an answer. The concept of a god creating the universe is simultaneously easy and difficult for people to believe, let alone comprehend.

Ultimately, the point of religion is if, whether it is ultimately true or not, is a benefit or a detraction for maintaining order in society.

Religion spawned from humanity’s inherent need to explain the unexplainable. At first, it was used to explain science: all is as it is because God willed it to be. There is the universe that consists of planets and stars, we know at least one is habitable—the one we inhabit, and our bodies are shaped the way we are because we are created in God’s image. Of course, humans would replace many of these notions with science. But religion has maintained its foothold on humanity because of one (currently) unanswerable question: why are we here?

The answer as to why we exist is very poignant. For the non-believers, we are here because of luck. It is only natural that one particular species, the homo sapiens, would develop the intelligence for the various accomplishments throughout world history. No other animal on Earth has developed the same kind of intelligence because, well, the other animals’ brains are not developed that way. For others, religion provides a sufficient belief system that, though we can never truly know the answer, it can give followers an idea of how to make sense of reality: why we are the species that have developed this kind of intelligence.

Ultimately, religion as a force for good and evil is dependent on how followers interpret a religious text. A bible, after all, is not a sentient organism but an object containing words that are meant to provide humans a way to live. Although religious extremism is apparent, does that mean we should blame the religious texts, which contain no feelings, that inspired them. Or should we continue blaming followers who interpret the religious texts to justify their motives. Religion is a system for which humans live by as a means for living a good life.

People should not be judged by their beliefs, but by their actions.

CITATIONS

Illing, Sean. “Why Science Can’t Replace Religion.” Vox, 4 Nov. 2018, www.vox.com/2018/10/30/17936564/new-atheism-religion-science-god-john-gray.

TL;DR Religion, for the most part, is a force for good as it creates communities which encourage people to be a kind and charitable force in the world – no matter what religion you follow.

Religious groups often are regarded with a bad reputation in the modern world. However, the multiple religious terrorist groups that are discussed do not encapsulate the values and emotions of the average religious person. We are not often shown the broader picture, where different religious communities have worked to create positive change in the world and have proven that religion is ultimately a force for good.

All religions of the world encapsulate the same values: be charitable and treat the world and its inhabitants with kindness and respect. The figureheads of different religions also all serve similar purposes, to act as an example to others as the ideal figure of compassion. As I have previously acknowledged, although it is well known that some extremist religious groups do not follow these values, they are not examples of the truly religious people who are good and kind.

It is clear that many of the charities and facilities created by religious groups have been able to help people around the world. A few examples include (these are examples which can be applied to all religions):

• Provide shelters and aid to the homeless and vulnerable.
• Provide charitable health care to those who need it most.
• Create food banks and soup kitchens.
• Provide educational classes to children and adults (both religious and non-religious education)

Religion continues to be used incorrectly in the name of politics and extremists. However, at its core, religion often creates positive change and is overall a force for good.

TL;DR – Religion as we have come to know and interpret it today is for the most part, not a force for good.

Most (religious) people associate morality with religion – and as coming directly from religion. However, this is not true, well at least, not entirely. While the concept of religion (or what religion is supposed to be) is a force for good, this is not the way religion today is (being understood and used). Adding to the complexity of this issue is that there is no “universal” consensus on what religion is since each person practices his/her own beliefs.

Even Jim Davies (2021) who writes for the website theconversation.com cautions on this matter when he points out to us that “The Bible is complex, with many beliefs, pieces of advice and moral implications. Nobody can believe in all of it.”

Furthermore, Davies goes on to inform us that there is more to religion than what scripture says. And while doing some research for his book Riveted: The Science of Why Jokes Make Us Laugh, Movie Make Us Cry, and Religion Makes Us Feel One with the Universe, he reveals to us that what we believe – the source of morality coming from religion is not as clear cut as we make it out to be. Perhaps, this is in large part what adds to the misguided belief that people base religious morality on some internal moral compass.

Most importantly, Davies also reveals to us that experimental evidence has in fact pointed out the following: “…people’s opinion of what God thinks is right and wrong tracks what they believe is right and wrong, not the other way around.” Furthermore, in a series of separate studies that was conducted, the overall conclusion was found to be that when one thinks about God’s beliefs one is (subconsciously) accessing one’s own beliefs.

So religion as a whole cannot really be interpreted as a force for good since this concept is quite fluid – what might be acceptable for one person within the context of religion, might not necessarily be acceptable (or even allowed) for the next person. Moreover, the concept of morality (good) where religion is concerned is interchangeable – moving between our own understanding of what we believe to be good and that of what we believe to be good where religion is concerned.

The bottom line, I think where religion is concerned and especially within this context one should approach it with caution, since religion and ultimately whether religion is interpreted as a force for good (or not), is obviously based on each person’s own belief.

TL;DR - Religion is definitely a force for good when not poisoned with corruption and distortion of religious tenets based on religious malpractice. Religion brings people together, promotes good mental health, and drives people towards good deeds, love and respect.

The fact that religion has many times been a point of contention relies heavily on people's ideas on spiritualism and how these ideas are exhibited by representatives of religion within society. There are different kinds of religion around the world, and although there are divisions and a contemporary distrust towards religion and what it stands for, it is undeniable that people who are religious have well-rooted defence mechanisms that can help them cope with difficult times in their lives.

For example, one of the benefits of religion is ['inner strength and courage to do the right thing'] (https://www.biographyonline.net/spiritual/articles/benefits-religion.html). This helps people control their lives better and have a spiritual reference point by which to try to understand morality and their place in the world. Also, religion gives people a sense of belonging that brings people together through love and shared beliefs, which is also something that positively impacts a person's life and promotes wellbeing.

Living within a community and trying to do good for yourself and society are some of the benefits of religion. Of course, this is not to deny that there are many people who abuse religion and miss the point of specific religious principles by distorting them in word and action. When seen and followed with good intentions, religion can be a huge guide out of chaos, negative feelings and the feeling of hopelessness that we sometimes have when we lack control.

TL;DR - Religion in isolation may be a force for good, but religious institutions undermine this.

When addressing the question of whether ‘religion’ is good, it cannot be forgotten that religion is transmitted via religious institutions. This distinction underscores a particularly salient point as, when arguing that religion is not a force good, it is the religious institution that distorts and corrupts religion. Religion can help to build a sense of community, which in turn can be a source of comfort and safety for some. That said, when you closer at the institutions, the less appealing aspects appear.

Take for example the Catholic Church and its actions over child sex abuse. Dating as far back as the 1960s, the church prioritised the welfare of its priests and monks over the safety of children in their parishes. The IICSA report published in 2018 concerning the issue of sex abuse in schools attached to the English Benedictine Congregation (EBC) was a damning indictment on the institution. The details therein revealed that the methods employed mirrored those uncovered in the Boston Globe’s Spotlight investigation in the early 2000s. A complaint is filed and, rather than defrocking the priest or monk, the subject of the complaint is moved to another parish whilst little is done to address the crux of the problem.

Similar patterns of behaviour were found in another IICSA report investigating the Church of England that was published in 2020. To that end, the institution can undermine religion, meaning that it is not possible to class religion as a force for good. Were it possible for religion to be separated from the institution, then this conclusion might be different.

Religion has historically played a vital role in shaping moral values, providing community, and motivating charitable acts. For many, it offers comfort, purpose, and guidance. However, religion can also contribute to division, intolerance, and conflict when interpreted rigidly or used to justify exclusion. Its overall impact depends on the beliefs and actions of followers, varying widely across cultures and contexts.