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I think it would be interesting to apply this measure to religious groups/denominations/traditions. Which faiths do you see having a real observable positive influence in the world, while doing minimal harm?
(Please note that I don't intend this thread to discuss the reverse - traditions with a predominantly harmful influence - there's enough negativity on this forum already.)
Of course, wherever there are humans there will be some problems, but are there specific belief systems that actually consistently inspire people to be kinder, more generous, make ethical choices, etc?
My first thought is the Quakers (Society of Friends). For a relatively small movement (compared to other major Christian denominations) they've had a disproportionately strong influence on abolition, education, poverty relief, human rights, etc. And it seems to me that it's very unusual for Quakers as individuals or as a congregation to be involved in exploitative or violent activities.
What faiths have you observed as bearing "good fruits"?
It's not the professing christians, that's for sure. I think you're probably right, that Quakers contribute and live quiet, peaceful lives and that's admirable. But, it's still a religious cult.
Sam Harris, despite his harsh criticism of organized religion in general, was always a big fan of Jainism, apparently a very peace-promoting religion. That said, I cannot judge Jainism as I've never met a single adherent! Most Jains live in India, and there are only 4-5 million followers worldwide. According to NatGeo, 'Jainism teaches that the path to enlightenment is through nonviolence and reducing harm to living things (including plants and animals) as much as possible.' Sounds pretty agreeable to me.
I worked with a Jain. He was somewhat annoying, not because of his religion, but his personality. He did explain some of the dietary rules to me. Milk and butter were good, because it made the cow more comfortable to take them, but root vegetables were a no-no because you were killing the plant.
The Catholic Church has objectively done the most good for humanity.
They invented hospitals and universities, and pioneered much of what makes life good that we take for granted today.
Medical health care existed before Christianity, who eventually excluded health care for non believers and heretics.
As for universities, they are just a specific type of educational establishment, which also existed before Christianity, and they also had a more relevant and varied syllabus.
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscAlaMike
There is a long list of Catholic Saints that have contributed more to the betterment of humanity than any list of people any other religion can put forth.
Medical health care existed before Christianity, who eventually excluded health care for non believers and heretics.
As for universities, they are just a specific type of educational establishment, which also existed before Christianity, and they also had a more relevant and varied syllabus.
Yes, IIRC probably the oldest known public hospitals were Buddhist, in Sri Lanka. And Romans already were building hospitals before the Empire went Christian. And prior to the Enlightenment if you wanted health care that wasn't going to kill you, Persia was the place to be. And arguably the first university in the world was Islamic, in Timbuktu. But to be fair, the Catholic Church did build a lot of hospitals and schools, even if they didn't come up with the idea.
I think it would be interesting to apply this measure to religious groups/denominations/traditions. Which faiths do you see having a real observable positive influence in the world, while doing minimal harm?
(Please note that I don't intend this thread to discuss the reverse - traditions with a predominantly harmful influence - there's enough negativity on this forum already.)
Of course, wherever there are humans there will be some problems, but are there specific belief systems that actually consistently inspire people to be kinder, more generous, make ethical choices, etc?
My first thought is the Quakers (Society of Friends). For a relatively small movement (compared to other major Christian denominations) they've had a disproportionately strong influence on abolition, education, poverty relief, human rights, etc. And it seems to me that it's very unusual for Quakers as individuals or as a congregation to be involved in exploitative or violent activities.
What faiths have you observed as bearing "good fruits"?
I will offer Daoism as they are not common on this forum. As a religion and philosophy, they offer both self and community help, have influenced medicine in China, and have used science to understand their world instead of trying to force their religion on to science. It has been so influential in China that Daoism is a part of the culture even for non Daoists.
It's not the professing christians, that's for sure. I think you're probably right, that Quakers contribute and live quiet, peaceful lives and that's admirable. But, it's still a religious cult.
How, exactly, are the Quakers a religious "cult' in comparison to, say, Methodists or any other religious group?
LOL There goes all your credibility, though that was already coming across strongly.
What's next? Time to curse the sun, good food, fresh air?
Cult:
"a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object."
Just sayin
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