WEEK 3 | Positive and Negative Effects of Religion

Xiao

filial peity (moral conduct of Confucianism) refers to the attitude of obedience, devotion, and care of one's parents and elder family members

Jainism (ahimsa)

(social solidarity)

"concept of non-violence" ahimsa is not only a worldview but a way of life.

The killing and consumption of animals is strictly prohibited, for it is central to the idea of ahimsa that they must minimize their violent impact on the environment. Treating other people with respect is also a way of practicing ahimsa.

Babylanes or catalones

Equally important is the belief in religious leaders whose function was to mediate between the deities and the people.

• In ancient Philippine society for example, spiritual leaders were called babaylanes or catalones, whose functions were to intercede between the deities and people; to continue the rituals; to play as healers; and to act as cultural leaders of the community.

Most of the spiritual leaders were women; and if men wanted to become one, they had to give up their sexuality to perform the prestigious role of being a babaylan.

People from ancient societies (to date) have a common belief in the need for intermediaries to communicate with the deities and the supernatural.

Religion promotes social harmony

Religion provides divine authority to ethical and moral principles which also help promote unity among people. Common participation in rituals together with basic uniformity of beliefs help promote social cohesiveness.

Religion Provides Social Change

Since religion is a source of moral values, religion provides social change. It can be very effective in lobbying and campaigning for certain social issues using Its own moral teachings as the basis of argument.

Religion Provides Moral Values

By providing moral values, one is able to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil. It also provides a system of reward and punishment that administers and standardizes people's behavior in society. Some people believe that it is sometimes more effective than the laws implemented by the state, since most people give more importance to the reward and punishment in the afterlife.

Religion Causes Discrimination

Religion can also be a source of discrimination, or the prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the basis of race, religion, age, or sex.

Religion Triggers Conflicts and Fights

Religion also has some aspects which make it susceptible to be a source of conflict and war. History witnessed numerous lives sacrificed and lost in the name of religion. Wars have been fought in the name of religion, and this phenomenon continues up to the present time.

Religion Impedes Scientific Success and Development

Throughout history, religion has proven to impede scientific development. Catholic Church used to teach that the

world is flat

Geocentric theory (Ptolemy) and Heliocentric (Copernicus)

Religion Obstructs the Use of Reason

Many question the suitability of religious doctrines to the needs of the present and future generations. In order to put these dogma to practice, religion should, therefore, evolve and learn to adapt to the ever changing world.

Trepanning

Self-Immolation

or the killing of oneself as a form of sacrifice, originally referred to as the act of setting oneself on fire. But now it refers to a much wider range of suicidal choices such as leaping off a cliff, starvation, or ritual removing of the guts (also known as seppuku). It is used as a form of political protest or martyrdom.

Sati

or the practice of self-immolation of a widow on her husband's funeral pyre, is said to have originated 700 years ago in India. It is believed to have started among the ruling class or rajputs in India, when the rajput women burnt themselves to death after their men were defeated in battles to avoid being taken by the conquerors.

double-edge

Religion is a __________ ________ sword