Is Religion a Force for Good? (John Donvan; Open to Debate)
Religion has long shaped human civilization, from creating legal systems based on religious laws to inspiring countless works of art and foundational aspects of culture. Yet its influence can stem beyond this into other topics, such as politics, education, and global relations. Many have long wondered what religion’s net impact on society is and whether it’s good for us. Those who say it’s a force for good argue that religion offers a sense of identity and belonging, promotes altruism and charitable acts, and provides a moral compass that encourages personal growth and commitment to justice. Those who argue it is not a force for good say that religious beliefs are a source of historical and military conflict as well as discrimination. They also say that it can be used to justify the erosion of individual freedoms and can hinder social progress by upholding ideas that clash with modern values.
With this context, we debate the question: Is Religion a Force for Good?
Arguing Yes: Shadi Hamid, Columnist and Editorial Board Member of The Washington Post; Assistant Research Professor of Islamic Studies at Fuller Seminary
Arguing No: Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-Founder and Co-President of the Freedom from Religion Foundation Interview:
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