Criticism of Religion

The criticism of religion includes criticism of the concept of religion itself, criticism of the practice of religion, and criticism of the consequences of religion on humanity as a whole. The singular word religion is used here refering to the concept of religion, rather than a particular religion or any group of religions. It should emphasized that this page does not attempt to criticize any specific religion.

Few religious people embody all the worst excesses of religion.

Warning

This article provides knowledge of the current known criticisms of religion. A criticism is a point of view of a critic. General criticism of a subject are the general point of view of the critics of the said subject. Readers are warned not to insinuate that any criticism written below as being correct (or wrong) merely because it has appeared in this article. Readers are reminded that a criticism is still a criticism even if it later turns out to be wrong.

In short, this article only lists the criticisms and their supporting arguements. It should be treated as the general point of view of the critic(s) which may or may not turn out to be correct.

Social construct

One of the criticism against religion is the proposition that religion is a social construct and thus is just another another human ideology. That is to say the origins of religion lies in human beings and human societies, not in the intervention of some divine being or cosmic truth. Accordingly religions generally include information about their own origins that is not true.

In particular religion is syncretic, and is in denial of its syncretism.

Irrationality

Religion often promotes beliefs in irrational superstitions, and will frequently defend itself by opposing rational and enquiring thought. Often this is done by passing laws against blasphemy, and by demanding that religious beliefs are shown greater respect than, say, political beliefs. The idea that rational reasoning is not relevant to religious beliefs is known as Fideism.

Intellectual confinements

When religion purports to offer a complete answer to problems of purpose, morality, origins or science, it inevitably discourages exploration of those areas, and thereby denies its followers a broader perspective, and prevents progress.

Dogmatism

Religion typically involves the exercise of religious authority over the beliefs and actions of the individual. Religious authorities tend to be dogmatic, for a number of reasons:

• because they must maintain the plausibility of the claim that their knowledge is timeless,

• because they generally believe that the most reliable source of knowledge was given in the past,

• because systems of preferment tend to reward dogmatism

• because free thinking is feared as something that will undermine belief.

Arbitrary restrictions

Many religions impose arbitrary restrictions on followers, regarding what they must or must not say, eat, drink; who they may marry, and so forth. Involvement in rituals, fasting, pilgrimages is often required or encouraged. Such pointless restrictions advance no ethical ends, and undermine the dignity of the free human being.