Save Religion and Uphold the Good

Man creates institutions that serve needs. The creation of religion and law enforcement are two such examples that help to give society order and function. The institution of religion serves to empower, give hope, and guide morality. The creation of law enforcement serves to provide order, limit crime, and protect and keep citizens safe. Although these institutions serve important purposes, they are not perfect or without flaws. As in everything in life, there are parts that must be improved upon.

To use the example of religion in the Roman Catholic Church, there are components in this religion that are not functional and go against the teachings of the founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ. Jesus taught man to “Do unto others as you would have done unto you,” and to not judge others. In these two teachings, it goes against to claim that homosexual actions are sinful.

How is one to judge that what people do in the sancitity of their own private life is wrong if what they are doing is not hurting others? To judge and harm these people is wrong and doesn’t abide by Jesus’ teachings.

So it is important to uphold the good of religion and of the Catholic Church, although it plainly is not perfect and should be improved upon. The problem is that people in power positions take parts of religious teachings and misconstrue and manipulate for their own benefit, power and control. When this happens it should be fought against, albeit ever so peacefully.

I know many people who abandon religion completely because they take the parts that they don’t agree with and capitalize them, and forget about the parts that they do agree with. The problems blind them to what is good about religion such as teachings that guide morality as in the ten commandments and the golden rule.

I don’t choose to throw away religion because it isn’t perfect, in the same way I don’t choose to throw away respect for law enforcement, the educational system, and many other man made institutions just because there are parts that don’t make sense to me. The parts that do make sense far out weigh the bad, and like any other problem in life or society, man needs to work to improve upon it. How would we have come to where we are in our society if man didn’t rally and fight for improvement. The answer is not to give up, but to work for the greater good of life in which ever institution.

In life it is always a battle for the good. For this reason it is important to note that Jesus Christ was such an important person in our history. He personified the battle we have everyday in fighting for the good by dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus dying on the cross symbolizes and shows us the painful battle we fight everyday for peace, love, and joy. No one ever said it was going to be a rose garden.