What's wrong with crutches?

If that were so, then Religion, as a tool, missed out on the industrial revolution... and like buggy whips, has a very limited market and imposes a very long shelf life for very little gain.

As we all know crutches are seen emotionally or phsically because theyre made to be a dependant for when you are unable to use that part of the body.

For instance,

If people are born with a disability and depend on crutches permanently, depending on the severity, some's first response will be negative: feeling nervous, awkward, and think the person is "retarded". Many don't know how to react to a disabled person, so they either treat them like they're 5 or 95.

I'm getting off track.

Then there's crutches used for a temporarily. Injuries due to sports,car accidents, etc. lead to this kind of thing. Some of the negative standpoints in this situation is that they're just a pain in the ***, making everything that much more difficult. Walking, going up and down stairs (ya right), bending down, or even using the john are all struggles and extremely irritating.

Basically, Crutches used permanently for the disabled and such is negative from the outsiders standpoint (the user is immune to it), and temporarily its negative because the person using the crutches isn't used to it, so they're just hard to maneuver making them a damn pain in the ***.

Faith is not necessarily a crutch. It either is or it isn't. Most of the time the people walking with faith are "given" a crutch by the people without. There is a God. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" Even people that deny Christ have to admit that there is something bigger, more than random chance. It's not that people fall back on religion as a crutch. It's that there is a God or there isn't and to His elect, they can see that there is. Praise Him.

I must agree. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using crutches just as long as the crutches don't become the only thing that holds one up. And as long as the crutches aren't used as a weapon.

I've heard people say this as well - that Christians use their faith as a crutch. And many of these same people who claim such will go out of their way to undermine and attempt to destroy someone's faith. My question is, if they truly believe what they're saying, what kind of person must they be to want to so viciously kick someone's crutch out from under them?

But, for the record, I don't consider my faith a crutch. You never read about Jesus giving anyone crutches - instead, He healed their infirmities completely. So, instead of providing a crutch, my faith in Christ has given me new, stronger, and better legs to stand on.

A crutch is a temporary tool to aid someone on their road to recovery; never is a person intended to remain dependent on the crutch. It is a tool, yes--a rehabilitative one, not a substitute for one's ambulatory power; an aid, not a capacity within itself.

Crutches also have no power of their own, but are to be used by their employer; never is the reverse considered. A crutch is meant to be useful, but never is it venerated.

Finally, a crutch is not meant to be given the power over one's life and one's independence.

Now, substitute the word "religion" in place of the word "crutch" in the above sentences and you have my summation of religion and the purpose of religion.

Yes, I do believe for many, actually the majority who follow dogmatic teachings, it is a crutch. A crutch is only valuable when used to reach the point of being able to walk on your own. When used beyond that point, it becomes not only a hindrance but also dangerous to the user, as muscles will atrophy when not used.

Religious teachings should be used as a guideline, as a tool to help us stand on our own. They should not be our legs; we were given two so we could walk upright with awareness, not so that our walking could be controlled by an outside source.

People can only be right in saying that religion (in this case I'm talking about Christianity) is a crutch. If God did not exist, then of course He would be a crutch for those who believe in Him. But since God does exist, He is not a crutch. God is rather mankind's (ONLY) Saviour, Redeemer, Physician, Maker.

Perhaps, the beliefs of those who profess God doesn't exist make that belief their crutch? So, they won't have to think that they're accountable and will have to answer to the One Who made them.

a crutch is a tool that help's you out only till you are strong enough to go it alone.

to refer religion to a crutch would suggest that you would only use religion when you suffer. when in good time's that person making that reference would say who's god?

so to refer religion as a crutch would be inaccurate of what loving god mean's.

hmmm

a crutch can help when used for its intended purpose - to support until healed

but if used to disguise inner needs that are not appropriate or cause suffering to that person or the people around them, then crutches are not such a good idea.

ie: addiction to a certain trait, behaviour, substance etc

personally i do not see crutches as tools to be used in everyday circumstances, but rather as a prop for a person who could manage very well and even progress further if they did not depend upon them

blessed be

Hedgewitch's answer reminds me of the analogy that religion is like a boat. A wise man standing on a beach will build a boat to reach the other shore. But once he has reached the other shore, only a fool will strap the boat to his back and carry it around with him.

I guess that holds for crutches too. They serve a purpose. The key is to recognize their purpose, and know ourselves well enough to know when they have served their purpose and become a hindrance.

Peace to you.