Jess
August 10th, 2010, 07:17 PM
I just read an article on the newspaper and I want to share it.
I can't source it because it's on the newspaper. If you want to know specific info... it's USA Today, page 11A, August 9, 2010
Q: Why religion?
A: Because as we learned vividly at Auschwitz, our lives must have meaning
I will give part of the article but not all of it. Just important stuff.
If you want more information, say so and I will post more.
Why religion? In the face of pogroms and pedophiles, crusades and coverups, why indeed?
Religious Americans have answered the question variously. Worship is the answer. Millions gather each weak to acknowledge their higher power. The chance to experience community is another. Healthy congregations are more than civic clubs. They are surrogate families. The opportunity to serve others also comes to mind. Americans feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless largely through religious organization
Religion makes us want to live.
Viktor Frankl's revealing research in the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz led him to a startling conclusion. It was not the youngest, strongest, or even the smartest inmates who tended to survive. It was those who had found meaning in their lives. People, it turns out, need a reason to live.
Alas, many of us have discovered purpose for our lives through religion.
Here's the point: I think religion makes it easier to be decent. The positive core values, mutual accountability and constant striving for self-improvement help one to be a better person.
What are your thoughts on this? Does religion really make us want to live?
I can't source it because it's on the newspaper. If you want to know specific info... it's USA Today, page 11A, August 9, 2010
Q: Why religion?
A: Because as we learned vividly at Auschwitz, our lives must have meaning
I will give part of the article but not all of it. Just important stuff.
If you want more information, say so and I will post more.
Why religion? In the face of pogroms and pedophiles, crusades and coverups, why indeed?
Religious Americans have answered the question variously. Worship is the answer. Millions gather each weak to acknowledge their higher power. The chance to experience community is another. Healthy congregations are more than civic clubs. They are surrogate families. The opportunity to serve others also comes to mind. Americans feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless largely through religious organization
Religion makes us want to live.
Viktor Frankl's revealing research in the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz led him to a startling conclusion. It was not the youngest, strongest, or even the smartest inmates who tended to survive. It was those who had found meaning in their lives. People, it turns out, need a reason to live.
Alas, many of us have discovered purpose for our lives through religion.
Here's the point: I think religion makes it easier to be decent. The positive core values, mutual accountability and constant striving for self-improvement help one to be a better person.
What are your thoughts on this? Does religion really make us want to live?