Is researching into religion a waste of time?

[Mystic]

There is many religions out there. And there is arguments against each one of them. Yet, there is probably counter arguments to many of those arguments that refute those arguments.

And in each religion, there is many sects.

Somebody can think it's a noble thing to go into researching all the religions.

But what will it achieve at the end?

Do any of the religions of an action plan of how to implement justice in society? Maybe in the primitive past, they did, but not when things are getting complicated, what is their use?

It's one thing to say my religion teaches to rise up for justice. But how to go even implementing that?

Most people of every religion aren't aware of arguments against their religion and counter arguments etc...and they haven't thought too much about the issue.

But for someone who doesn't know about religions, why should he go research them, as oppose to gaining knowledge in economics, political structure, policies, how money is spent, organization, human rights, law, etc...things that can make him an informed voice on how society should be runned?

A lot of people spend a lot of energy researching into religion. I've spent so much energy on the Shia-Sunni issue for example.

I've read some of the Bible, but why should I devote myself to researching religions?

If I decide to devote myself to learning about things that govern humanity, influence people I care about, might result in me knowing how to make the world a better place etc...practical things...practical solutions...practical ways of going about achieving a better world....

And suppose there was a right religion out there, why in the hell, would God want me to care to find that religion instead of prioritizing my research into human sciences?

And what should I be concerned about preaching to people. Come to a religion which will dictate you on how to live or tell people, come let's seek knowledge so that we can empower ourselves.

Why is so much energy of society drained on religion?

I've wasted too much of my life researching into religion.

If God prefers I research to find the true religion as opposed to devote myself to the oppressed, the poor, the hungry, and well being of society and gaining knowledge that will help them...then from my perspective right now he is a douchebag that I don't want to worship or even know.

[The Grand Nudger]

I'd say that if a person spent time researching religion earnestly hoping to find an actual fairy painting dew on the tulips....yes, that would be a massive waste of time. Course, I'm not sure whether it really matters if such a person has their time wasted. What else were they going to do with it? Crop circle research? Bigfootology? Meh.

[goodnews]

Pure religion and undefiled before God {Jesus} and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 This verse explaines their are but two criterion which God commands of religion, the first being to suport ones fellow man in their needs, and the second, to keep oneself from sin, End of. It is man who has invented systems of belief, full of un-scriptual doctrins and preached them with swelling words filled with vanity from lofty pulpit's in lavish temples. To judge God, haveing not personally read His testament and then blame Him for the foolishness of men is guilefully naive.

[Mystical]

Another woefully unoriginal generalization from good news. I've read the entire bible, numbnuts. Your god is a selfish, jealous, vengeful, hypocritical, murderous, sexist, fuckwit if he do exist. Which he don't, so feel elation in that. I know I do.

[Psykhronic]

Pure religion and undefiled before God {Jesus} and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 This verse explaines their are but two criterion which God commands of religion, the first being to suport ones fellow man in their needs, and the second, to keep oneself from sin, End of. It is man who has invented systems of belief, full of un-scriptual doctrins and preached them with swelling words filled with vanity from lofty pulpit's in lavish temples. To judge God, haveing not personally read His testament and then blame Him for the foolishness of men is guilefully naive.

"His testament" is a book that says "I'm right because I'm right". Fuck that noise.

[Raven]

Pure religion and undefiled before God {Jesus} and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 This verse explaines their are but two criterion which God commands of religion, the first being to suport ones fellow man in their needs, and the second, to keep oneself from sin, End of. It is man who has invented systems of belief, full of un-scriptual doctrins and preached them with swelling words filled with vanity from lofty pulpit's in lavish temples. To judge God, haveing not personally read His testament and then blame Him for the foolishness of men is guilefully naive.

Well, lets see now........
Your God commanded far more than that, and I think you are fully aware of this. In the old testament you had all that old Mosaic law that was positively impossible to live by successfully. Then when the people could not do so they got “smitten” but good. Repeatedly, I might add. And Jesus had more than “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” to say as well, else they could have saved an awful lot of red ink when printing the gospels. They could have just had him delivering the 11th commandment and then wrapped it up. Oh, yeah I almost forgot all that fanatical unhinged ranting coming from Paul....., much of which was most misogynist. Seeing as how he was sort of chosen by God to spread his word I should think what he said counted. Further, he seemed to think the end times were not all that far off. Guess he was wrong about that...

Oh yeah, there is no such word as “guilefully”. Did you perhaps mean “willfully”?

[LostLocke]

Depends on what you're researching.

Religions, I admit, do have some great mythologies, history, and back stories. Great for ideas or inspiration when creating fictional dramas.

Like back in my D&D playing days, I did a little looking into the Greek and Norse mythologies.
Helped me when creating my own modules for my players.

(Maybe 1000 years from now Wizards of the Coast will incorporate the Christian mythology into a new module series.... )

[Minimalist]

Yes. A complete waste of time.

[downbeatplumb]

I think all research into mental health issues is worthwhile.

[Gilgamesh]

Yes. Whatever the purpose, yes. They're just fiarytales. If you want a good story, go to the library.