The subject for this debate is religion. Dez will be trying to justify how religion is right/good, whereas ID (WHOA HIS INITIALS ARE ID ... <__<;;) will be trying to prove the opposite. This debate will mostly be for educational purposes in trying to get used to the debating atmosphere _outside_ of FE.

Dez opens, three posts each.

Religion can be beneficial for both the individual and society.

Religion helps the individual strength by believing in something greater than themselves. This may be a deity (or deities), spirits, or a natural cycle, such as re-incarnation. In times of trial and suffering, they are predisposed to continue on due to their beliefs. People will pray to gods or invokes spirits for strength and protection. Belief in an omniscient god negates worry, as one will believe that everything will be taken care of. With reincarnation, if people are in an unfavorable position, they believe that as long as they do their best, everything will be fine, at least in the next life if not the current one, and that they deserve their current position.

Religion is also beneficial to society. Most religions have rules and laws of how one's life should be lead. They set a moral standard for life. Some religions also set regulations for cleanliness, such as Judaism. The laws set forth by religions are generally more effective because people must answer to a higher authority, one that they cannot escape. Whether it is a deity or a natural cycle, religious authorities gain more fear and obedience than secular, man-made governments.

The reason why one would side with a higher authority is because they have control over you. A man is utterly powerless against a god or impartial force. The favor of the higher power is desired to experience the best of the afterlife, or to break the cycle of reincarnation. Every religion has a best ultimate outcome for the soul. The outcomes vary, from eternity in Heaven to Moksha and Nirvana, and the requirements depend on some action in life. So the god(s) must be pleased or else upon death, one ends in a less favorable outcome, eternity in Hell to continued rebirth.

Religion is good because it gives people strength, assurance, and a sense of purpose. It benefits society by giving order and structure. Religion also affects one's life, or the lack thereof, after death.

:dez: