Like any truly human endeavor, Christianity (as well as religion in general) have both helped and harmed humanity in countless ways.
I don't think it's far to automatically give the religions the credit for good things being done. People are completely capable of being total atheists and doing amazing things. In many ways, I feel like religion steals thunder away from us that actually did the stuff. Even within Christianity, the trope reappears... people thanking God and praising God because a random dude felt compelled to help out. Thank the dude, not the religion.
As far as the good vs bad, it varies on religion. Some religions have added a lot of good, some have broke even, and some have contributed very little on a broad scale. And considering power corrupts...any organized religion runs the risk of what /u/kdawson's talking about.
People are completely capable of being total atheists and doing amazing things.
I agree. Completely. I'm not discussing that. Historically, religion has inspired poets, artists, musicians, and countless others in different ways. Those actions were performed by humans, and inspired by their religion.
Could they have done it without religion? without a doubt. But they didn't.
Honestly, I probably should have self-edited that first paragraph. I was noodling around and wasn't sure where the point was going to end up.
I don't think it's far to automatically give the religions the credit for good things being done. People are completely capable of being total atheists and doing amazing things. In many ways, I feel like religion steals thunder away from us that actually did the stuff. Even within Christianity, the trope reappears... people thanking God and praising God because a random dude felt compelled to help out. Thank the dude, not the religion.
As far as the good vs bad, it varies on religion. Some religions have added a lot of good, some have broke even, and some have contributed very little on a broad scale. And considering power corrupts...any organized religion runs the risk of what /u/kdawson's talking about.
I agree. Completely. I'm not discussing that. Historically, religion has inspired poets, artists, musicians, and countless others in different ways. Those actions were performed by humans, and inspired by their religion.
Could they have done it without religion? without a doubt. But they didn't.
Honestly, I probably should have self-edited that first paragraph. I was noodling around and wasn't sure where the point was going to end up.
Fair enough. You were looking at it from a completely artistic standpoint where I was looking at it from a bit more of a moral/goodwill standpoint :)