Natwerk Designs - Why is religion so morbid?

Why is religion so morbid?

Why does religion constantly predict the end of the world and focus on the negative side of life rather then the positives, so many religions set dooms days that have all come to pass... Why is this so? Is the negativity a system of control designed to incite fear into the members so they behave in certain ways for fear of retribution upon the alleged days of judgement? Can anyone shed some light on this? (no that wasn't a pun)

Public Comments

the *end* is a positive thing I guess that would be morbid to you, huh?
The most religious Christians call themselves god-fearing. I find it kind of extremely hilarious.
They use fear to keep their sheep in line.
Who knows... I certaily dont I am an athiest. I think the whole thing is stupid...
The "Best Answer" is right there in your second paragraph. So you may as well give it to me instead! :)
Morbid? Have you not been touched by His Noodly Appendage and experienced the splendour of the Stripper Factory and Beer Volcano???
truth isnt always a party....still the truth... ITS DESIGNED TO SAVE YOU FROM ETERNAL DEATH
No, they do focus on the positives sometimes. Remember when Jesus died for our sins? Brutally murdered, crucified, hands pierced with nails, crown made of thorns thrust onto his head? How beautiful that depiction was!
Fear and ignorance are the oil that lubricate religion's cogs? Why do you sound so surprised?
Hello : ) ~ Because god is a sadist ~ Peace : )
I guess your generalizing and mean the Abrahamic religions. If you mean that than say so, and if you don't you haven't read up on many religions. Try reading up on some pagan religions, they're a lot less morbid.
Because it is law that many people dear not question. Religion sets certain morals and guidelines that help us act accordingly. Many do not steal because it is wrong and they might go to hell; now imagine a world where that was not immoral? As human beings we need something to look to, something to love and especially something to fear. God is one thing many of us fear and my going to a religious establishment we are given hope that we can be saved from this inevitable future and redeem our selves
That is the nature of religion. Christianity on the other hand, isn't negative; it is about salvation and redemption. Revelation is not doom and gloom, it is the Revelation of jesus Christ, revealing to us who He is and the promise of deliverance and salvation even in the midst of God's wrath. What can be better than the Lord returning and restoring our relationship with God? I look forward to the End, but regret the loss of those who, even when they get all the evidence they could possibly want, will still deny Christ.
"religion is based off of fear"
It's a binarized system of social control which in ancient Judaic times was largely the same as the government/ruling group. The edicts doubled as laws, and when man's eye wasn't around, people had hell to terrify them into always heeding the word of the elite males. Really, it operates upon the model of terrifying people into compliance, but also offering a carrot of heaven that makes it ultimately palatable. @Josh... yes, talking about Abrahamic faiths exclusively. Paganism is a pre-Columbian faith, and I'm okay with it as it's non-coercive and doesn't claim to be THE universal text on the world. Really, it's pretty open about the fact that it's a sprituality mediated by humans.
When Jesus saves you THE END IS THE BEGINNING
Christianity is anything but morbid. Jesus said,"I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly."
Originally, religions helped people realize their own mortality and cope with it so that they could focus on living and appreciate life more. This is not a bad thing, but somewhere along the line the clergy came along and turned it into a big business and a form of control over others. Religions then started to glorify death, so that the masses wouldn't complain too much about the way their rulers treated them in this life.
religious institutes use fear to keep them in power, otherwise there would have never been a hell. The world was supposed to end in the 70s, yeah they have mighty powers of prediction alright.
If you were to OBEY their morbid beliefs.. then you have nothing to fear.. hahaha... Religion = control . How do those who like to incite fear control their masses? With FEAR of TORTURE and never ending DEATH, and teaching/preaching ignorance as a way of life.
You must be talking about Islam and Christianity. As a Hindu my religion is life affirming. We do predict the end of the world, but the debate is as to whether it is tens or hundreds of thousands of years away, After this a new universe will be created anyway!
Which is better: you know what will come or blissfully unaware?
because the main religions rule of fear,yeah, you got it in one i think that was a pun, a sneaky wee one, but its cool i liek it
Well, Cameron, you have it right that many religions predict the end of the world, but they have all been wrong. The mistake you made is in seeing it as a negative thing. Religion is about hope for eternal life or a reward in the afterlife as we know it. These are supposed to be hopeful things that make people look forward to death and not be afraid of what happens to us when we are finished living. The fear that you mention is only supposed to be for those who believe and know they are not living according to holy law. If you know there will be punishment for wrong doing then you should not do wrong. But in some religions, God is forgiving and if you are truly sorry you will get the same reward as someone who lives life by the book all the time. The key to it is in being truly sorry and in showing that your heart is honest. If you choose not to believe these things, that is your prerogative. I have a problem with people who don't think I have a right to believe it, when I have no problem letting them not believe if that's what they choose. Here's to tolerance and accepting each for what they choose to live by. I love all the friends I have on Y/A and I try not to be judging of others as they should not judge me. ~Rob
i've wondered the same thing and sometimes i believe its just them using scare tactics to get you to do the way they think is right