The Mystery and Abuse of Religion

[Anonymous]

Religion is so mysterious. It seems that with so much unprovable, and so much unknown, its mystery opens the door to all kinds of religious beliefs. It lends itself to invention of religion by people. I often wonder if Joseph Smith had a knack for tapping into the mystery. This knack helped him create a believable religion as a result of the mystery.

We know that people hired Joseph Smith to take him to places where treasure or gold might have been buried. FAIR (Mormon Apologist site) indicates this was a common practice back in his day. Therefore, it is not to be considered a blight on JS’s character. So, if you accept the FAIR explanation, such a practice could be considered the same as gambling.

However, his gravitation toward treasure-hunting does suggest that he had insight into the psychology of people who have, for lack of a better word “faith” in things they can’t see. This allowed him to expand on this talent. It allowed him to create religion in a way that was very meaningful to many people. It allowed him to create religion that has created a global organization as well as spinoff groups of varying success.

But the ability of many people to tap into the mystery has also created religions based on fraud. Taken with the fact that spiritual feelings can be instituted through inspiring speeches, touching stories, effective oration, and good theatrics, it seems to me that religion can be considered an instrument of abuse in the hands of many nefarious people.

Does this affect the extent to which you are willing to embrace any religion? The fact that it is based on things unseen and requires faith to embrace it? What is the value of religion even if clear if it’s true?

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

What is the value of religion even if clear if it’s true?

For me the value comes in the form of usefulness. I am not particularly interested in unseen truths or glorious promises of a distant future. For me, I need usefulness for my life right now. For my current phase of life that means supports and community to help me raise my children.

I do believe that there can be individuals that use religion in an attempt to gain power and money. Thankfully our church seems to have almost none of that and it is therefore not a big worry for me.

[Author]

Posts