Is Religion Evil ?

Religion has led to many wars, abuses, hurts, bombings and many more moral evils in the history of the world. The world is filled with religious hatred. Hindus hate Muslims and Christians. Muslims hate Hindus , Jews and Christians. Christians fight with each other in Europe and America.

    Many of these fights are a result of wrong religion. Wrong religion is evil and works havoc on the lives of the people and societies. Hinduism and Islam have proved to be destructive forces not just because people use them to justify violence but because actually do promote violence in the name of God.
    Hinduism , with it's caste system and the story of  it's violent gods and godesses leaves no space for peace. People who seek to serve them do use violence as and when necessary. There is nothing there to stop violence. Islam with it's history of conquest and violence is ofcourse a good example of how religion can cause evil. Whenever Hindus or Muslims used violence, they were entirely consistent with their religious teachings.
    Whereas Christians whenever they went to war or used violence were in direct opposition to their religious teachings. Christ's call was to serve and share God's love with the other person. His philosophy was one of love for the enemy . Such a religion which teaches love and care and brotherhood ,cannot do any evil to any neighbours, if the Christians follow the teachings of the Lord.
 Now some wrong expressions of Christianity with political power at their helm have wrecked havoc in the lives of many. But they are wrong expressions of the Christian faith, which does not allow for any form of violence. These happened when political power was handed to the Roman catholic church and the church attracted power mongers who wanted the political power. In the course of time it lost it's spiritual edge because of such principles and persons who occupied it's seat of power and the reformation gave a fresh start and set the church in the right direction. The reformers split from the church. The Catholic church also experienced counter reformation and purification .But still the Pope is still an seat of  political power with political domain and not a seat of service and simplicity. They have hoarded wealth, when Christ has called them to give it away . They have retained power and pomp, when Christ calls them carry the cross. So in many ways the Catholic church still remains untruthful to the calling of Jesus, though some elements in them do remain faithful. Example: Mother Teresa and the likes.
   It has happened with the Protestant church also in England and other European countries where the vested interests invaded the church to use it for their political ends. The Catholic -Protestant persecutions and interdenominational intolerance do not show forth the life and testimony which Christ requires.
   Even as some became corrupt , some were regenerated and they carried on the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even to this day , many missionaries cross national , cultural and racial boundaries to take the love of Christ to a hurting world. Many a faithful follower has stood for justice and served humanity greatly.

1. William Wilberforce and the clapham sect of Christians dedicated their lives for the abolishment of slavery.
2. William Carey worked with Rajaram Mohan Roy for the abolishing of Sati , an evil social practice in India.
3. The Red Cross was started by a devout Christian in response to what he witnessed during a war.
4. World vision international is a Christian organisation working for a better society
5. Education till recently remained the monopoly of the Christians . Many Schools and colleges were started world wide to educate the people so that they can gain knowledge and also come to know Christ.
6. Hospitals and health care were started by Christians all over the world to serve the sick in the name of Christ. Many other religions started copying the work of Christians and stated their own missions to serve the people.

    The contribution of Christians , who in their response to the call of Christ , served the world in numerous ways. Nothing in secularism or any other religion can compare with the contribution the true followers of Christ  have made to the human race.

    Many religions have been sources of much evil . But true Christians have singly or in groups , in response to the call of Christ upon their lives served humanity and have brought comfort , healing and prosperity to millions. The work is still going on and is increasing with everyday as many new missionaries join the service of mankind heeding the call of Christ.