Christianity (/Judaism, /Islam) is the worst for this though, with the concept of original sin. I’m a bit surprised about Buddhism, but it does make sense that that’s a big thing there.
It’s a good question whether people would be more healthy and had higher self-esteem in a society in which the dominant religion has a more positive image of humanity.
Hmmm… what does ChatGPT have to say about this?
Yes, there have been and still are religions or spiritual traditions that focus purely on the positive aspects of human nature and don’t have a concept of sin, inherent evil, or divine punishment. Here are a few examples:
1. Jainism – Absolute Nonviolence and Personal Liberation
Jainism doesn’t have the concept of sin in the way Abrahamic religions do. Instead of sin and punishment, it teaches karma as a kind of natural consequence of one’s actions.
Humans are not inherently evil—every soul is seen as inherently divine, and liberation is about shedding negative karma rather than atoning for sin.
There’s no God who judges; instead, enlightenment is achieved through self-discipline and nonviolence (ahimsa).
2. Bahá’í Faith – Human Nature as Noble
The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes that humans are born noble and capable of great good. While it acknowledges that people can make mistakes, it does not have the idea of “original sin” or inherent corruption.
The focus is on unity, personal growth, and service to humanity rather than guilt or fear of punishment.
3. Certain Buddhist Traditions – No Sin, Only Ignorance
Many schools of Buddhism (especially Zen and Tibetan Buddhism) do not have a concept of sin, only ignorance (avidyā).
Rather than seeing people as inherently flawed, they view suffering as a misunderstanding of reality, which can be overcome through enlightenment.
Some Buddhist traditions, like Pure Land Buddhism, emphasize compassion and grace rather than personal fault.
4. Some Indigenous Religions – Harmony, Not Guilt
Many indigenous belief systems (e.g., some Native American, African, and Polynesian traditions) do not have a concept of sin. Instead, they focus on maintaining balance and harmony with nature, spirits, and the community.
Actions that disrupt this balance may be corrected, but not through punishment—rather through ritual, reconciliation, or rebalancing the cosmic order.
As for such a religion producing more positive human beings, the AI doesn’t have a straightforward answer, but it does have a pretty good one regarding the complexities of the question:
Me: What I’m wondering is, does a society in which such a positive religion is dominant produce healthier, less troubled and violent people? Can we draw any lessons from history where this is concerned?
ChatGPT:
Razoniert über Gesellschaften mit positiven Religionen für 7 Sekunden
The relationship between the nature of a dominant religion and societal outcomes is complex, and while there are intriguing correlations, drawing clear causal lessons from history is challenging. Here are a few points to consider:
Multifaceted Social Dynamics
Interconnected Factors: A society’s overall health and levels of violence depend on many variables beyond its religious beliefs. Economic conditions, political stability, education, and cultural norms all interact with religious teachings. Even if a “positive” religion emphasizes inherent goodness and personal growth, the broader social context plays a significant role in shaping behavior.
Historical Examples & Cultural Context
Buddhist Societies: Many predominantly Buddhist societies, which often emphasize overcoming ignorance rather than sin, are sometimes noted for lower levels of internal violence or sectarian conflict. However, attributing these outcomes solely to religious doctrine oversimplifies the picture. In countries like Thailand or Japan, for example, social harmony also emerges from long-standing cultural practices, legal systems, and community networks.
Indigenous Traditions: Societies with indigenous religions that focus on balance and harmony can exhibit strong community ties and conflict-resolution practices. Yet, these communities have also faced external pressures such as colonization, which complicates any straightforward assessment of how their spiritual traditions affect societal health.
Modern Research and Psychological Insights
Positive Self-Concept: Some modern spiritual movements, which reject notions of inherent sin or guilt, promote a positive self-concept. Psychological research has found that a healthy self-image can contribute to lower stress levels and more prosocial behavior. However, it’s not entirely clear whether this directly translates to lower societal violence.
Community and Belonging: Religions that emphasize unity and positive human potential often create strong community bonds and social support networks, which can help reduce feelings of isolation and marginalization—factors that are sometimes linked to social unrest or violence.
Cautions and Limitations
Correlation vs. Causation: Even if societies with more “positive” religious frameworks show lower incidences of certain social ills, it is difficult to definitively say that the religion is the primary cause. The interplay of history, culture, and other social systems makes it hard to isolate religion as the single factor.
Variability Within Religions: It’s also important to note that even within religions that are generally considered “positive,” interpretations and practices can vary widely. Leaders, historical contexts, and local customs can all influence how a religion impacts society.
Lessons from History
Holistic Approaches: History suggests that promoting positive values—such as compassion, community support, and personal growth—can be beneficial. However, these values need to be part of a broader system that includes fair governance, economic opportunity, and education.
Avoiding Dogmatism: One lesson might be that systems focusing on human potential and growth, rather than guilt and inherent sin, could foster environments that encourage personal responsibility and mutual support. Yet, even these systems are not immune to challenges, and they can sometimes struggle with issues like groupthink or internal conflict.
In summary, while there is evidence that societies emphasizing positive human potential can foster healthy, cohesive communities, it’s important to acknowledge that religion is just one part of a much larger societal puzzle. History provides examples that can be both inspiring and cautionary, but no single religious model has proven to be a panacea for all social ills.
Sounds about right.
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