Inequality breeds religion?

[Taiji]

The first half of this radio programme talks about a correlation between inequality in society and people being religious.

Quite interesting...

[michael123]

How about religion breeds inequality? There is no doubt that in the past in many theocracies or other regimes in which the church/religion played a very strong part religion was used to emphasise class differences and to manipulate and control the masses. However religion in its best and purest form probably does not cause inequality.

[Machiavelli25]

No, humanity breeds inequality. Religion is a tool sometimes used to prop it up.

There's nothing wrong with inequality anyway, since people aren't equal.

[MaximiIian]

How about religion breeds inequality?

That doesn't work, because there are many religions, especially today, that promote equality and unity rather than social stratification.

[Arch-hereticK]

That doesn't work, because there are many religions, especially today, that promote equality and unity rather than social stratification.

Can you name 3 organised religions?

If a religion succeeds in promoting unity wouldn't that just lead to an us and them situation? And how do religions avoid the hierarchy that inevitably comes from a preacher or even a group of preachers who spreads and control the message?

[MaximiIian]

Can you name 3 organized religions?

Ostensibly, Christianity is based on the equality of all people before god. Though administratively there is a hierarchy, that's because the Church as an institution is a pastoral one. But Christianity's message is, nominally at least, one of equality and forgiveness. So, within that path, there's thousands of organised religions that hold to a belief in human equality.

My religion, Wicca, is well-known largely because of the tolerance and acceptance many of its practitioners have of others. And a strongly-held belief in gender equality is the foundation that Wiccan theology is built on. While Wicca isn't itself an organised religion, it is a specific religious path, and has many groups that could fall under the definition of a denomination.

If a religion succeeds in promoting unity wouldn't that just lead to an us and them situation?

No. Hopefully, it would lead to a more tolerant society that takes religion in a more live-and-let-live view.

And how do religions avoid the hierarchy that inevitably comes from a preacher or even a group of preachers who spreads and control the message?

Make all believers/practitioners into priests.

[Arch-hereticK]

Ostensibly, Christianity is based on the equality of all people before god. Though administratively there is a hierarchy, that's because the Church as an institution is a pastoral one. But Christianity's message is, nominally at least, one of equality and forgiveness. So, within that path, there's thousands of organised religions that hold to a belief in human equality.

My religion, Wicca, is well-known largely because of the tolerance and acceptance many of its practitioners have of others. And a strongly-held belief in gender equality is the foundation that Wiccan theology is built on. While Wicca isn't itself an organised religion, it is a specific religious path, and has many groups that could fall under the definition of a denomination.


No. Hopefully, it would lead to a more tolerant society that takes religion in a more live-and-let-live view.


Make all believers/practitioners into priests.

Christianity is not based on equality. Never mind the gender inequality or the bizarre hatred towards same sex couples. But the profound unequal view of believers and non-believers, now there's inequality that'd put some totalitarian dictators to shame.

Non-believer does good things; goes to hell to be tortured in an unspeakable manner for ever and ever.
Believer does bad things, but believes in Jesus; he goes to heaven to live in joy for ever and ever.

I admit Wicca seems impressively tolerant and very interesting. Do you recommend any particular books that explain it thoroughly? Gotta know what it's about before I can make fun of it.

[Taiji]

So maybe in a society with social stratification religion helps people deal with it. On a personal level perhaps, in terms of being able to function effectively inspite of it, but rather I mean that religion could be something that helps erode social stratification. Without much to erode it becomes less useful.

[Machiavelli25]

So maybe in a society with social stratification religion helps people deal with it. On a personal level perhaps, in terms of being able to function effectively inspite of it, but rather I mean that religion could be something that helps erode social stratification. Without much to erode it becomes less useful.

Why are you so desperate to eliminate social classes? This is a positive side of religion imo.

[Ummon]

It's not unlikely that many become religious as a reaction to inequality.

[Taiji]

Why are you so desperate to eliminate social classes? This is a positive side of religion imo.

I'm not and what is a positive side to religion? That it makes people less likely to complain about inequality as the programme seems to suggest?

[Ummon]

I'm not and what is a positive side to religion? That it makes people less likely to complain about inequality as the programme seems to suggest?

Given inequality is part of life.

Complete equality is found in nature. In systems with maximum entropy.

[Phier]

I'm not and what is a positive side to religion? That it makes people less likely to complain about inequality as the programme seems to suggest?

Revolutionaries require the population to be discontent.

For many, religion is a source of contentment in their lot in life. Sure you might not be rich, but you have your family and your church, why go to extremes when the afterlife is where you will find true wealth of a sort.

This annoys revolutionaries who think they know better than those people and want them to fight and or die for their revolutions.

They then lash out at religions as a tool of the state to suppress the population.

There are elements of truth to it, but its based on the aristocratic ideals of the left usually that they know better and they will make peoples lives better if you only follow their lead.

To have great change you need great turmoil and as religion is a stabilizing force it must be attacked.

[Machiavelli25]

I'm not and what is a positive side to religion? That it makes people less likely to complain about inequality as the programme seems to suggest?

To put it bluntly, yes. I find inequality a positive thing.

[Nietzsche]

I'm not and what is a positive side to religion? That it makes people less likely to complain about inequality as the programme seems to suggest?

I wonder how the speaker would explain the Reformation or American Revolution. I hesitate to give credence to any Marxist rhetoric given the historical impact of such theory.

[B-DizL]

This kind of brings up a difference between religion and church, in the church by definition people are not equal, thats why there are priests and bishops and cardinals yet in the bible it never AFAIK sets a distinction between people in that way, it simply says where two or more people gather God is present or however that goes, it never states "oh and you need a priest there too"

[Lysimachus]

Does inequality breed religion?

Well if it didn't, then can someone explain to me why Christianity was started?

[MaximiIian]

Do you ever feel like you are just LARPing?

Of course not. No more than you would in practising your religion.

Wicca's no different than any other belief system, in that it has a broad range of practitioners and certain beliefs that will vary from individual to individual. Some people take it less seriously than others, but I am not one of those people.

[Phier]

Of course not. No more than you would in practising your religion.

I honestly don't understand why you'd think that.

Because it reads like a D&D manual, many dress like a larping convention and as there IS no history you make it up as you go along?

If you search my posts from a few months back I called all religion LARPing, but Wicca is pretty much indistinguishable from it.

[MaximiIian]

Because it reads like a D&D manual

A lot of conventions in fantasy take influence from Renaissance and 19th century occultism, which served as the basis for some Wiccan beliefs. That's really the only similarity.

many dress like a larping convention

Not really. I don't, and I don't personally know anyone who does. Some do, but it's not really that common; at least not since the 1970's or so. The dressing in mediaeval garb is more prevalent among Neodruids than Wiccans, but that has no real bearing on the legitimacy of the religion anyway. It's a moot point.

and as there IS no history you make it up as you go along?

What do you mean? Just because its history isn't ancient doesn't mean it doesn't have history and established traditions.
Antiquity does not equal validity. A recent religion is just as valid as an old one.

You really should leave your preconceived notions about Wicca behind; very few, if any, of the popular conceptions of it have any actual basis in what Wicca is and how it is practised. Those misconceptions are insulting, to my religion and to me.