Religion

Religion has a negative impact on society. According to researchers, it decreases people's motivation to pursue goals. Researchers believe that religious people rely very much on God and are hence unable to effectively drive themselves towards their goals. Religion has also been faulted for the rise of extremist terrorist groups. It has contributed to the social, cultural and economic development of many societies. Religion has been used as a tool to maintain political dominance of the world order and is one of the biggest obstructions to scientific development and success. Medical science has faced some of the most disgusting attacks from religious fanatics hiding behind facades of morality and righteousness. Religion is now and has always been the cheapest and most effective way of controlling society.

This was especially true during the earlier years by reinforcing moral behavior among people without the treatment of divine punishment. It served to provide hope to people in desperate situations, giving them something to believe in rather than just giving up on everything. This is especially true for the elderly, as belief in the afterlife provides comfort to them.

The negative effects it has on society are tremendous. It is filling people with fear, turning people against each other, and keeping society in ignorance. Albert Einstein said, “If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed”. Religion is one of the main reasons why people are afraid of living. And when I say ‘living’ I don’t mean just surviving. To survive is one thing, even stones do that, but to live is a completely different thing. To live means to be sensitive, it means to feel, to grow, to discover your potential and achieve to higher states of being each and every moment.

The starting point is fear. Religion is based on the idea of sin: all people are born sinners and impure souls. If people in society do not