Is religion a force for good or evil in the world?

Religion is a force for good in the world, and religious charities around the world are
a good example to prove that point. These charities help many, many people in
need. William Wilberforce is another good example of a person who has done good
acts, motivated by a religion. But on the other hand, religion could be a force for evil
to the society, such as the attack at the twin towers on 11 th September, 2001, which
caused many innocent deaths. The crusades were also known as a force for evil in
the world. This essay will include both sides argument, and my opinion on whether
religion is a force for good or evil in the world.
Despite the fact that many religious charities help loads of people around the world,
sometimes religion is a force for evil in the world. An example to show that religion
could be a force or evil in the world is the crusades. Crusades are wars or
campaigns that are religiously motivated, also known as a holy war. The Crusades
were a series of military campaigns which took place during the 11th through 13th
centuries in response to the Muslim Conquests. The goal was to
recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the Muslims.
Another example which shows that religion may be a force for evil could be the
attack at the Twin Towers on the 11th of September 2001. This is the most significant
calamity of our time. This attack has been done in the name of God Allah. The idea
for the 9/11 attack plot came from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who first presented
the idea to Osama bin Laden in 1996. The al-Qaeda is led by Osama bin Laden. He
is a terrorist to many people, but he is also a freedom fighter to some others. He
believes that Muslims should kill civilians from the United States and allied countries
until they withdraw the support for Israel and withdraw military forces from Islamic
countries. Motives of this terrorist act include the support of Israel by the United
States, presence of the U. S. military in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the US
enforcement of sanctions against Iraq. Al-Qaeda claims that the teachings of their
Islam and their God Allah guided them to do that act of terrorism. However, the
Quran (a book which is the word from god) only tells people to only fight back if
someone attacked you first. The al-Qaeda group believes that they are following the
teachings of Islam.
Despite the fact that it was the Muslim group al-Qaeda who created the 9/11 attack,
many people believe that every Muslim are protestors. They believe every Muslim is
someone like Osama bin Laden- a terrorist. But, of course, that is not true. This
quote: Not all Muslims are terrorists but all terrorists are Muslims, explains that just
because Osama bin Laden is a Muslim terrorist, does not necessarily mean that all
Muslims are terrorists. In the Quran (6:151), it says: You shall not kill - GOD has
made life sacred - except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to
you that you may understand." This quote from the Quran has just proved that the
religion Islam is actually not bringing a bad force in the world. The Quran tells the
Muslims to fight except for self defense and to enforce peace. The religion Islam

urges the Muslims to treat such people kindly and equitably. God does not permit
one group the killing of innocent people. I believe Osama bin Laden has misused the
Quran as an excuse to destroy the Twin Towers and do other acts of terrorism.
In addition, religious charities also show that religion is a force for good. Just like I
have mentioned in the introduction, these religious charities help many people who
are in need. Mercy International is a great example of a religious charity which can
prove religion is a force for good. Mercy International helped and supported many
people and organizations around the world that were making a difference in
people's lives (with the support of their city-based church in Brisbane, Australia).
Mercy International helps children who have HIV/AIDS, children who are at risk of
being sold into the sex-trade and also children who are unwanted because of
marriage break ups. Mercy International has a holistic approach to the children in
their care; they focus on the childs social, spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
This charity believes in Christianity, and they believe that they should:"Speak up for
those who cannot speak for themselves; Speak up for the rights of all who are
destitute; Speak up and judge fairly; Defend the rights of the poor and the needy."
Proverbs 31:8-9. Because of Christianity, they have motivated the founders of Mercy
International (Rob & Jean Dunk) to open this charity, and support in need. This
definitely shows that religion is a force for good for the world.
Furthermore, many individuals were motivated by a religion. One of the most well
known ones who were motivated by a religion is William Wilberforce. He has done
good acts because of his religious beliefs, which is Christian for him. He was famous
for abolishing the slave trade, and he was a hero to many people. He became an
evangelical Christian in 1784, and that was when his dissolute lifestyle changed
completely. As a result, he became interested in social reform, particularly he want
to use his power as a Member of Parliament (MP) to bring an end to slave trade. For
Wilberforce, the slave trade was a sin for which Britain had to repent. He managed
to get the House of Commons to vote to abolish the slave trade in 1791, but it failed
to pass. For 18 years, Wilberforce brought the issue in Parliament for consideration.
The slave trade was abolished in 1807, but it did not free those who were already
slaves. In 1833 the act to free slaves in the British Empire passed through the House
of Commons.
In conclusion, I believe that religion is a force for good in the world. William
Wilberforce and the religious charities are great examples of how religion is a force
for good in the world. I believe the act of the bombings on 11 th September and the
crusades are just exceptional cases. This is because originally, the teachings of
Islam originally promote peace, but unfortunately, some people interpret it in a
different way which leads to the terrorism today.