Religion? Why?

[dmeek7]

I am curious to know people's opinion of this matter:

Why do you think we need religion in the world? Why do you think people are so big on religion?

We go through day by day using science to solve our problems. We don't have a specific group of people that pray for all the answers. We have a group of people called scientists that find the answers using logic, reasoning, and math, and science. If an asteroid would be coming towards earth we don't just pray it doesn't hit us. We get anybody that can help and we come up with a reasonable way of avoiding it whether it be destroying it, or using some kind of rocket that knocks the asteroid off the course to earth.

This is my view on religion. I PERSONALLY don't believe in a higher being. A creator. An almighty god. I believe in science.

Even though this is my view I don't discourage Believers.. It's good to have faith in something. Even if you put your faith into an invisible person that you spend one (or maybe more) days praising him even though he doesnt do anything for us.

[Amnesiac]

The only reason religion has survived to this day is because of childhood indoctrination. Religious people have had the same bullshit drilled into their heads every day from birth. That's not something they can just let go of, they are taught to embrace that religious faith for years until it's impossible for them to believe anything else. They're given all sorts of contradictory arguments and philosophical excuses to defend their beliefs when those times of doubt come. Through this system, religion has thrived for thousands of years, hampering human progress by an immeasurable amount; killing countless numbers of people in the name of some vague and all-powerful god.

A disgusting world, really.

[dmeek7]

The only reason religion has survived to this day is because of childhood indoctrination. Religious people have had the same bullshit drilled into their heads every day from birth. That's not something they can just let go of, they are taught to embrace that religious faith for years until it's impossible for them to believe anything else.

A disgusting world, really.

If there was a "like" button like facebook does, then i would hit it about 300 times. Very good point. Anybody else have a view?.

Also, Commander Awesome. Do you think religion could someday be forgotten and everybody just goes through life not spending their time praying, or studying faith, etc.?

[Amnesiac]

If there was a "like" button like facebook does, then i would hit it about 300 times. Very good point. Anybody else have a view?.

Also, Commander Awesome. Do you think religion could someday be forgotten and everybody just goes through life not spending their time praying, or studying faith, etc.?

When the seemingly endless cycle of religious indoctrination stops, religion will end. It's currently slowly waining — it may be hundreds of years before religion is no longer present on Earth.

Don't say that science will someday "disprove" God and convert everyone to atheism. God cannot be disproved. There's always another excuse around the corner to back up his existence. You can't see God? He's invisible. Prayer's been proven to be ineffective? God didn't want to prove himself at that moment. No proof of the afterlife? Oh, this bestselling book says otherwise!

Religion always has excuses to save itself from reason. That's one reason why it's the cancer of technological and social progress, holding our intelligence down and taking our rights away.

[Sith Lord 13]

Why do you think we need religion in the world? Why do you think people are so big on religion?

We don't. Having a use and having a need are two very different things.

We go through day by day using science to solve our problems. We don't have a specific group of people that pray for all the answers. We have a group of people called scientists that find the answers using logic, reasoning, and math, and science. If an asteroid would be coming towards earth we don't just pray it doesn't hit us. We get anybody that can help and we come up with a reasonable way of avoiding it whether it be destroying it, or using some kind of rocket that knocks the asteroid off the course to earth.

This is my view on religion. I PERSONALLY don't believe in a higher being. A creator. An almighty god. I believe in science.

Even though this is my view I don't discourage Believers.. It's good to have faith in something. Even if you put your faith into an invisible person that you spend one (or maybe more) days praising him even though he doesnt do anything for us.

You're making a false dichotomy here. It's not either or, even if there are people on both sides who try to make you think it is. There is no inherent conflict in them, unless people take allegories literally. They face two different sets of questions. Science says whether or not we CAN do something, but it says nothing about if we SHOULD.

If there was a "like" button like facebook does, then i would hit it about 300 times.

Just FYI, there is. It's the scales under each person's profile info on the left hand side. (Though atm you have zero rep power making that meaningless)

[The Dark Lord]

Why do you think we need religion in the world?

We don't


Why do you think people are so big on religion?


Repetition from an early age

Put it this way:

When one person believes a delusion its called insanity
When one million people believe a delusion its called religion

[Magus]

I am curious to know people's opinion of this matter:

Why do you think we need religion in the world? Why do you think people are so big on religion?

We go through day by day using science to solve our problems. We don't have a specific group of people that pray for all the answers. We have a group of people called scientists that find the answers using logic, reasoning, and math, and science. If an asteroid would be coming towards earth we don't just pray it doesn't hit us. We get anybody that can help and we come up with a reasonable way of avoiding it whether it be destroying it, or using some kind of rocket that knocks the asteroid off the course to earth.

Religion survived because of people's limited knowledge on some philosophical questions like "Who are we - why are we here - what is our purpose - what we are made of - where we will go when we die" and so on. Rather than using science to answer all that question, religion was made to answer those question for a brief moment.

Unfortunately, now that religious dogma embedded in the head of many, you cannot convince them whatever that contradicts their believes. Like evolution, for example, to the religious people who tightly believes that they are the offspring of Adam and Eve.


This is my view on religion. I PERSONALLY don't believe in a higher being. A creator. An almighty god. I believe in science.

I can't say I don't believe in a higher being. You can say, I am highly doubtful of his existence. He might exist(concealing himself using one of his cool tricks), and we end up fucked up and doomed to hell for the eternity.

Even though this is my view I don't discourage Believers.. It's good to have faith in something. Even if you put your faith into an invisible person that you spend one (or maybe more) days praising him even though he doesnt do anything for us.
It will be a problem only if they, the religious, go "Alalalalalalala! Die Infidels" on you.
Or
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090202235815/uncyclopedia/images/f/f1/AtheistsEVIL.png

[Clawhammer]

If I may quote CS Lewis:

"One word, Ma'am," he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. "One word. All you've been saying is quite right, I shouldn't wonder. I'm a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won't deny any of what you said. But there's one more thing to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we're leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that's a small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say."

Pretty much the reason for me.

[Jess]

but people have the right to believe and worship whatever they want, IMO, as long as they respect other people's beliefs

[deadpie]

GABRIELLA But what if these stories have saved people? What if people need to believe in a higher power to understand there is something greater than them?

Tim sits down at one of the bar stools in furious anger.

TIM Does the cloth that once covered your eyes still blind you? People do not need a God to prove that they are weak. All they have to do is pull a gun out in a crowded area and you will be crushed by people stronger than you. Faith has caused more damage than it has done good. Bodies have been piled like mountain tops from wars based off religion.

----------------------

We don't need religion to be happy. Plus, religion is based on faith, not proof. Faith is ignorance. Ignorance is death of perception.

[dmeek7]

I am curious to know people's opinion of this matter:
This is my view on religion. I PERSONALLY don't believe in a higher being. A creator. An almighty god. I believe in science.

Even though this is my view I don't discourage Believers.. It's good to have faith in something.

Jess, I also believe that it is a right for people to believe what they want. I expressed my belief. I expressed my belief as a person who believes in science for everything.

[Syvelocin]

I'm very religious. However, my religion is atheistic. I'm really into my religion which is pure philosophy really, a lifestyle. So really, religion's fine.

We don't need it, but I like having that community along with my own moral beliefs that I share with this group. I like being a part of this, I like reading my text.

I just think it's how others have said already. Parents are telling this shit to their children, drilling it into their brains. I was brainwashed as a kid by the priest at a local church. I never really considered myself a true Christian. I was told that God existed, just like Santa and the tooth fairy. So if you don't know anything else, and there are all these people telling you that something exists, you sort of go along with it I guess. I was eight when I decided god wasn't... for me (didn't exist). Here I am, ten years later, with the same beliefs. I tried one time when I was ten or so to try to pray to some higher being. I ended up with immunodeficiency. If there was ever a chance this being existed and heard me, he sure didn't like me. I quit theism fully then, and I'm 100% sure in my religious choices.

God gives a friend of mine a reason to live though. This guy is her only hope. I respect that though, since she's really smart and I actually think she doubts Christianity somewhere deep inside her, but she's holding on to it because it's all she could ever depend on in her life. It's not my style, but I understand how she feels.

[dmeek7]

We don't need religion to be happy. Plus, religion is based on faith, not proof. Faith is ignorance. Ignorance is death of perception.

This is pretty much how I feel.

[Lasky]

It's simple. People are scared of hell, and scared of questioning God, and going against him. So they try and do everything they can to stay close to him. That's just how it works. Some guy, somewhere, a really really long time ago was wrong about something. So he made up this "God" story to justify himself. Thats my theory on religion. If God does exist, he will accept us into heaven whether we believed in him or not, because he "loves" us all.

[Fact]

When one person believes a delusion its called insanity
When one million people believe a delusion its called religion

↑ this.

IMO, people cling to religion because they can't accept reality. Religion is their lie to themselves so they can be happy because they 'belong' and are 'loved' unconditionally by someone/thing.

You only have to look at Christianity and the Bible to see the flaws of religion. The Bible is so amazingly contradictory, it could have only been churned out by some indoctrinating, power hungry folk who wanted to keep citizens under control. The actions within it were clearly not committed by an 'almighty God' who is so 'awesome' we cannot imagine, nor his 'son' - they are essentially a fairy tale.

[Clawhammer]

↑ this.

IMO, people cling to religion because they can't accept reality. Religion is their lie to themselves so they can be happy because they 'belong' and are 'loved' unconditionally by someone/thing.

You only have to look at Christianity and the Bible to see the flaws of religion. The Bible is so amazingly contradictory, it could have only been churned out by some indoctrinating, power hungry folk who wanted to keep citizens under control. The actions within it were clearly not committed by an 'almighty God' who is so 'awesome' we cannot imagine, nor his 'son' - they are essentially a fairy tale.

But if there is no God, we're just here, an accident, then it seems the made up things are better, so why not continue living in belief? As for me, if there is no God, still just as worthwhile to follow Him, since there is no reason in anything.

[deadpie]

But if there is no God, we're just here, an accident, then it seems the made up things are better, so why not continue living in belief? As for me, if there is no God, still just as worthwhile to follow Him, since there is no reason in anything.

You can find meaning in life without a higher power. Make your own meaning of life. Follow your own path.

We're not here on accident, but not on purpose either. We're just here. It's a pretty simple explanation. We're here because we're here. Nothing more.

[Sage]

But if there is no God, we're just here, an accident, then it seems the made up things are better, so why not continue living in belief? As for me, if there is no God, still just as worthwhile to follow Him, since there is no reason in anything.

God forbid nihilism have some validity!

[dmeek7]

What if we all found out that religon only started because of:
1. Some guy/girl, some where in the BC era, got into a sticky situation or something with other people, and he/she just made up some mumbo jumbo story to get out of it. Therefore, the start of God and all it's current existence
2. There were some parents that had a kid and their kid was just a trouble maker and they made up a story and told it to this kid, which became the back story for his being, and reason for living. and This kid becomes successful when he's older and he tells the story to people and since he's powerful they all believe him, and vwalah. The story of god.

This post was just a funny "what if" situation.
What if one of these situations was true? How do you think people would take/ handle it?

[Amnesiac]

What if one of these situations was true? How do you think people would take/ handle it?

They would continue to believe the mindless brainwashing they've believed for centuries. Many sections of the Bible that people talk of so highly today are actually mistranslations — and, you know, Jesus was probably born in spring, not on December 25th. Still, people ignore the facts and preach their pious bullshit to the masses, notably their children, who keep the regime going strong for another round at limiting social and technological progress.

Take, for example, the "theory" of evolution. There's an incredible amount of information that comprises this theory (that's a word that people DON'T KNOW THE DEFINITION OF in the first place) and people ignore it all. "Oh, there are gaps in the fossil timelines!" "It's only a theory, not a fact!" No matter how much of a dose of reality we give these people, they won't accept it. It contradicts the things they've believed and have been told their entire lives, and no matter how wrong they are they don't have the intelligence or wisdom to admit it.

[Clawhammer]

You can find meaning in life without a higher power. Make your own meaning of life. Follow your own path.

We're not here on accident, but not on purpose either. We're just here. It's a pretty simple explanation. We're here because we're here. Nothing more.

But what lasts and what is worthwhile? What defines good and what lasts and what is worthwhile?

[deadpie]

But what lasts and what is worthwhile? What defines good and what lasts and what is worthwhile?

I don't get what you're saying at all. I've tried reading this like ten times and in any possible way, but your question just doesn't make any sense at all.

Could you kind of...explain what you're trying to say? I'm kind of a fucking idiot.

[Korashk]

But what lasts and what is worthwhile?
Nothing and whatever you want to be worthwhile.

What defines good and what lasts and what is worthwhile?
You do, and that's the beauty of it.

[Fact]

But if there is no God, we're just here, an accident, then it seems the made up things are better, so why not continue living in belief? As for me, if there is no God, still just as worthwhile to follow Him, since there is no reason in anything.

There is reason in many things that affect people's lives daily that are completely overlook due to people being blinded by religion. People who 'believe' have their vision clouded by their idea of 'perfection' and 'morals' which come directly from their religion and interfere with what is definitely real and can't be debated.
I can see WHY people would want to escape reality, but it doesn't get them anywhere in the long run.

[Clawhammer]

Wow. What a dull black pit of a world you believe in. If I believed that, I wouldn't be alive to believe it right now. Again, to quote CS Lewis:

"One word, Ma'am," he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. "One word. All you've been saying is quite right, I shouldn't wonder. I'm a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won't deny any of what you said. But there's one more thing to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we're leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that's a small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say."
— C.S. Lewis (The Silver Chair)

[DarkHorses]

We definitely don't need religion, but people want it in their lives because it helps to explain the unexplainable. It fills in the gaps of the things people don't understand. By following religion you can say that you know the way the world was created, that you know how things have happened. I think one of the main reasons people follow religion is because they don't like uncertainty. They like to feel that they have the answers.

Plus I think a lot of people are religious because it helps them to find a meaning in life. Most religions believe that we have a reason and a purpose to life, and I think it's comforting to believe that rather than the alternative.

[Fact]

Wow. What a dull black pit of a world you believe in. If I believed that, I wouldn't be alive to believe it right now. Again, to quote CS Lewis:

"One word, Ma'am," he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. "One word. All you've been saying is quite right, I shouldn't wonder. I'm a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won't deny any of what you said. But there's one more thing to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we're leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that's a small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say."
— C.S. Lewis (The Silver Chair)

And THAT is why I didn't finish reading The Chronicles of Narnia.
The dull black pit of a world I LIVE in, not believe, is the same one you live in too. It's not imaginary, it's very really and very corrupt, whether you like it or not, you can't change it.
Religion is something one can manipulate to fit themselves, interpret things how they want, practically be selfish with it, oblivious to what's actually happening because there's a fake explanation you follow and believe so well that you refuse to see what's under your nose.

[The Dark Lord]

Wow. What a dull black pit of a world you believe in. If I believed that, I wouldn't be alive to believe it right now.


I live in reality, presumably you don't.

Again, to quote CS Lewis:

"One word, Ma'am," he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. "One word. All you've been saying is quite right, I shouldn't wonder. I'm a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won't deny any of what you said. But there's one more thing to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we're leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that's a small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say."
— C.S. Lewis (The Silver Chair)

The fact that you've copied a paragraph from a fictional novel to support your views on religion (hopefully I'm not the only one who seems the irony in that), suggests that you are unable to justify your beliefs as you have no knowledge of your beliefs, supporting my view that religion is reinforced from an early age and that's why people believe in God.

[Amnesiac]

We definitely don't need religion, but people want it in their lives because it helps to explain the unexplainable. It fills in the gaps of the things people don't understand. By following religion you can say that you know the way the world was created, that you know how things have happened. I think one of the main reasons people follow religion is because they don't like uncertainty. They like to feel that they have the answers.

While religion "fills the gaps", it simeltaniously hampers scientific progress to actually answer the questions that make up these gaps. Are you suggesting we sacrifice progress so we can feel more comfortable about ourselves? Why do we need to "explain the unexplainable," why is that such an outstanding necessity?

Plus I think a lot of people are religious because it helps them to find a meaning in life. Most religions believe that we have a reason and a purpose to life, and I think it's comforting to believe that rather than the alternative.

Why does life need a purpose? Can't people be happy the way they are without thinking that they're so special in this universe that they need a purpose?

[deadpie]

Wow. What a dull black pit of a world you believe in. If I believed that, I wouldn't be alive to believe it right now. Again, to quote CS Lewis:

"One word, Ma'am," he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. "One word. All you've been saying is quite right, I shouldn't wonder. I'm a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won't deny any of what you said. But there's one more thing to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we're leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that's a small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say."
— C.S. Lewis (The Silver Chair)

"One original thought is worth a thousand mindless quotings." - Diogenes of Sinope

And it's not a dull blank world I live in. I can find positive nihilism in things. Yes, there is no point in anything, so make a point for it. The world I live in has it's flaws, but many parts of it are still beautiful and important to me.

Also, Chronicles Of Narnia is almost as bad as Atlas Shrugs. Your point is invalid

[Clawhammer]

I do not live outside of reality. Yes, the world is a miserable place. But I believe in something better, a speck of hope. And the point is, if the world is as you say, one might as well believe in heaven. Reality is a burden, and the greatest insanity is too much sanity.

[The Dark Lord]

I do not live outside of reality. Yes, the world is a miserable place. But I believe in something better, a speck of hope.

The above statement shows a monumental arrogance and ignorance. How are your views better than anyone elses?

And the point is, if the world is as you say, one might as well believe in heaven.

Using that logic, when I lost a £1 walking home last week, when I arrived home I should have decleared that I now believed in Father Christmas.

Reality is a burden, and the greatest insanity is too much sanity.

In future, when you copy and paste cliches from the internet, would you mind attributing them? Thanks.

[Fact]

The above statement shows a monumental arrogance and ignorance. How are your views better than anyone elses?


Using that logic, when I lost a £1 walking home last week, when I arrived home I should have decleared that I now believed in Father Christmas.


In future, when you copy and paste cliches from the internet, would you mind attributing them? Thanks.

↑ what I can only describe as golden. Hit the nail on the head.

Religion is self-indulgent, sprouted from propaganda used to influence and control people's lives.

[Clawhammer]

My point is, if there's nothing out there like you say, why are you so quick to condemn people believing in something they like to believe because it gives them hope? Addressing my monumental arrogance, I am no better than anybody else. In fact, there's thousands better than me in millions of ways. I merely find that, if there isn't anything to believe in, we just happened, one might as well believe in something, and that something might as well be a hope.

[Fact]

My point is, if there's nothing out there like you say, why are you so quick to condemn people believing in something they like to believe because it gives them hope? Addressing my monumental arrogance, I am no better than anybody else. In fact, there's thousands better than me in millions of ways. I merely find that, if there isn't anything to believe in, we just happened, one might as well believe in something, and that something might as well be a hope.

As what they are believing in is wrong. It was created, IMO, to brainwash people, by believing it you're falling into the trap.
What you're believing in isn't hope at all, it's a promise of something that will never happen - a lie.

[Bath]

Basically, I'm not religious. But I respect those who are, as long as they're not extremist and go around forcing their beliefs down others' throats.

[Jean Poutine]

Religion? Why?

because.

that's seriously the only answer acceptable in any debate regarding religion as it exemplifies religion itself.

if this is a bad thing or not is completely irrelevent.

[deadpie]

I do not live outside of reality. Yes, the world is a miserable place. But I believe in something better, a speck of hope. And the point is, if the world is as you say, one might as well believe in heaven. Reality is a burden, and the greatest insanity is too much sanity.

When someone mentions religion, do you have to mention Heaven? That means your only mentioning the religions that mention a Heaven. So every other religion is irrelevant. This makes your statement kind of arrogant.

I think the idea of faith is completely dumb. In faith, you don't look for answers - you just trust your instinct. It's as closed minded as it can get.

Reality isn't a burden. It's a great place if you want it to be. It just depends on your mindset of how you want to believe in things.

When one person hallucinates of something, they're insane. But when a thousand or more people believe in nonsense like the world being flat and slavery being good, than it's called religion. Fucking hypocritical.

[Amnesiac]

My point is, if there's nothing out there like you say, why are you so quick to condemn people believing in something they like to believe because it gives them hope?

Because I view religion not as something to be respected by everyone — religion has lived well past its usefulness. It is now a threat to human advancement and safety, encouraging people to ignore basic logic and common sense and commit acts that we would dare not do under any other non-drug influence. The simple fact that it gives some people hope is irrelevant; it's hampering our progress as a species towards a greater understanding of our universe and ourselves. Why shouldn't we sacrifice the blind, unreasonable hope of a few people so we can climb into the upper tiers of science, sensibility and logic?

[Fruit_Tart.]

Religion is a major part of history. Completely major. I'm pretty sure without it we wouldn't be here to experience this site. Religion to me is extremely important and you can nagg me all you want about it but i really do believe there is/are god(s) out there.

I believe very much in science and i do believe in evolution as well but somethings can't be explained and those things i think come from that belief of something else, a religion. No matter what your always believing in something so whatever you say I think your in some sort of religion because you believe strongely about something.

I should stop now otherwise I might just go on and on, hahaha. :P Eh. But that's what I think.

[Amnesiac]

An argument that has been used too often in this thread is that there are "gaps in science" that religion can fill. How is filling that gap with an answer that's pretty much invented any different from not filling it at all? The fact is that some questions will never be answered by any means, that's something you have to accept as part of existence; making up a deity to answer those unanswerable questions is equivalent to not answering the question at all.

[Fruit_Tart.]

It's not made up! I'm sorry but I'm completely faithful to my native religion and you're taking it too far. Saying it's made up? Okay. YOU don't have to believe in anything and you'll never have faith in anyone or anything. I know religion is wack but people are still going to be strongly moved by it.

You're probably a religion without even knowing it. Science. You believe in explanation scientifically, well, isn't that an atheist? Haha, I'm sorry i dunno if it is but yeah.

[deadpie]

I believe very much in science and i do believe in evolution as well but somethings can't be explained

The things that can't be explained have good theories or could go into debate. Plus, just looking for the easiest answer (religion) to a complex question isn't a smart idea.

It's not made up! I'm sorry but I'm completely faithful to my native religion and you're taking it too far. Saying it's made up? Okay. YOU don't have to believe in anything and you'll never have faith in anyone or anything. I know religion is wack but people are still going to be strongly moved by it.

You're probably a religion without even knowing it. Science. You believe in explanation scientifically, well, isn't that an atheist? Haha, I'm sorry i dunno if it is but yeah.

Science isn't a religion. I think I would know if I have a religion. Nihilism is my philosophy and it's not a religion. Well, the belief is there is no point to the belief or anything else in the existence of this universe.

The people that are usually moved by it strongly are protesting at soldier's funerals, bombing abortion centers, flying planes into buildings, and making sure that things are always going there way and no other way.

[Amnesiac]

It's not made up! I'm sorry but I'm completely faithful to my native religion and you're taking it too far. Saying it's made up? Okay. YOU don't have to believe in anything and you'll never have faith in anyone or anything. I know religion is wack but people are still going to be strongly moved by it.

You're probably a religion without even knowing it. Science. You believe in explanation scientifically, well, isn't that an atheist? Haha, I'm sorry i dunno if it is but yeah.

I'm sorry if you're offended by that, but the chances are extremely (extremely) high that most, if not all, of religion is invented by man. I don't see why people get so offended over other people's views on religion anyway — if you're so confident in your beliefs, why should you care what others say? I have just as much of a right to question religion as religious people have a right to question atheism, which they often vehemently do. That still doesn't address my question — isn't answering some unanswerable question with a vague, infinite being the same as not answering the question at all?

Also:

Religion — a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Science — a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws: the mathematical sciences.

[Fruit_Tart.]

Damn. You're good at making people feel bad. hahaha... jus kidding. but yeah. you didn't really offend me, you offended my ancestors more than anything. And i don't care what other people do as a religion because I'm really not all judgemental. For all I care people can blow me up for thinking what i think, but I'm not going to judge any other person just for what they believe. I might even take in whatever they believe. I believe so much in science, but i also believe in other things "fake". Eh... i dunno. Now I'm just ranting. o.o sorry...

[The Dark Lord]

My point is, if there's nothing out there like you say, why are you so quick to condemn people believing in something they like to believe because it gives them hope?

*false hope

Addressing my monumental arrogance, I am no better than anybody else. In fact, there's thousands better than me in millions of ways. I merely find that, if there isn't anything to believe in, we just happened, one might as well believe in something, and that something might as well be a hope.

You described you way as "better", that's arrogance.

Religion is a major part of history. Completely major. I'm pretty sure without it we wouldn't be here to experience this site. Religion to me is extremely important and you can nagg me all you want about it but i really do believe there is/are god(s) out there.


Without religion we wouldn't have laptops? Sorry that's obscene.

[Death]

I'm sorry but I'm completely faithful to my native religion

Had you have been brought up in another country, your native religion would have been different. What makes your religion the correct one out of the many which exist? Your birthplace?

You're probably a religion without even knowing it. Science. You believe in explanation scientifically, well, isn't that an atheist? Haha, I'm sorry i dunno if it is but yeah.

I think you've missed the point of a 'religion'. Because if you knew its definition, you wouldn't be calling an academic subject a religion, since it is simply knowledge from testing, research and proof, rather than believing whatever a book or a priest tells you about an inexplicable deity. Going by your logic, math and art would also be religions, which they're obviously not.

[Sith Lord 13]

Because I view religion not as something to be respected by everyone — religion has lived well past its usefulness. It is now a threat to human advancement and safety, encouraging people to ignore basic logic and common sense and commit acts that we would dare not do under any other non-drug influence. The simple fact that it gives some people hope is irrelevant; it's hampering our progress as a species towards a greater understanding of our universe and ourselves. Why shouldn't we sacrifice the blind, unreasonable hope of a few people so we can climb into the upper tiers of science, sensibility and logic?

This is honestly the most arrogant thing I've ever heard you say. Religion still has its uses. There are many people alive today who wouldn't be without religion. Most major religions do not encourage acts of blatant stupidity. Extremist religions, or extremist interpretations of mainstream religions may cause problems, but most religions do not. The dichotomy you create between religion and science is a false one. One can have both. Has religion stood in the way of advancement? Sure, in the past. People were fearful of new concepts and used religion as a shield. But anything can be used as a shield. Anything can be used to justify persecution. In modern day, that dichotomy no longer exists except where it's being twisted and perverted on people on both sides of the argument (Those who persecute science on one side, those who persecute religion on the other.)

[Continuum]

Why shouldn't we sacrifice the blind, unreasonable hope of a few people so we can climb into the upper tiers of science, sensibility and logic?

Mostly because people today remain strictly close-minded for change. They won't handle much of disbelief, if not that they are mostly indoctrinated to keep with the tradition of belief. They tend to mix, as in a period of transition to a higher state of mind, but as of now people will not get over it altogether. In some point in time, the system of organized belief will cease to exist in bits.

The dichotomy you create between religion and science is a false one. One can have both. Has religion stood in the way of advancement? Sure, in the past. People were fearful of new concepts and used religion as a shield. But anything can be used as a shield. Anything can be used to justify persecution. In modern day, that dichotomy no longer exists except where it's being twisted and perverted on people on both sides of the argument (Those who persecute science on one side, those who persecute religion on the other.)

No shield can be used for change though. The advancement of human civilization is inevitable, and science is key to it. There's no other reason to be afraid of change, and rather religion is used for it. I don't see why Science and Religion should not co-exist with each other, but as human thought expands, and as people discover more explanations for us and the world beyond, it becomes all too redundant.

[Sith Lord 13]

No shield can be used for change though. The advancement of human civilization is inevitable, and science is key to it. There's no other reason to be afraid of change, and rather religion is used for it. I don't see why Science and Religion should not co-exist with each other, but as human thought expands, and as people discover more explanations for us and the world beyond, it becomes all too redundant.

Redundant? Hardly. Religion is now, and always has been, focused on the question of what mankind should do, while science shows us what we can do. While no religion has a perfect morality, I believe each one's contribution to shaping our cultural morality has been important and continues to be important.

[Magus]

The fact is that some questions will never be answered by any means, that's something you have to accept as part of existence; making up a deity to answer those unanswerable questions is equivalent to not answering the question at all.

Because it was mind-satisfactory to have a God who protects you, to have an eternal place of resting after death and etc.

[Amnesiac]

This is honestly the most arrogant thing I've ever heard you say. Religion still has its uses. There are many people alive today who wouldn't be without religion. Most major religions do not encourage acts of blatant stupidity. Extremist religions, or extremist interpretations of mainstream religions may cause problems, but most religions do not. The dichotomy you create between religion and science is a false one. One can have both. Has religion stood in the way of advancement? Sure, in the past. People were fearful of new concepts and used religion as a shield. But anything can be used as a shield. Anything can be used to justify persecution. In modern day, that dichotomy no longer exists except where it's being twisted and perverted on people on both sides of the argument (Those who persecute science on one side, those who persecute religion on the other.)

Yes, there may be benefits to religion, I won't deny that. However, these benefits (such as charity) don't overcome the sheer amount of ignorance that is committed in the name of religion. The fact that religion has such powerful political influence and exerts such insane amounts of counter-productive ideas is the primary reason why it's a good thing that the human race is finally letting go. I don't mind non-organized religion — people are free to believe anything they want — but the organized religions that spew counterproductive bullshit must go.

I admire those who accept both sides, it's entirely possible, yet the ones who are ultra-biased towards religion are the ones in government, trying to merge church and state.

[Sith Lord 13]

the sheer amount of ignorance that is committed in the name of religion.

The problem is that just because it's done in the name of religion doesn't make it religions fault. You can shape anything to support anything. If there were no religion you'd see a lot more bad science designed to support their beliefs that homosexuality is bad, or race x is bad, etc.

[Korashk]

The problem is that just because it's done in the name of religion doesn't make it religions fault.
Hmmm, I don't know about that. The big two (Christianity, Islam) have very violent scriptures basically commanding violence. It may not be the religion's fault in akk cases, but it is in many of them.

You can shape anything to support anything. If there were no religion you'd see a lot more bad science designed to support their beliefs that homosexuality is bad, or race x is bad, etc.
Quite possible, however I doubt the problem would be very prevalent in comparison to how prevalent it is today. Something like 50% of Americans don't believe in evolution because of religion. Thats literally the only reason for most of them. Religion plays a HUGE factor with the ignorance of today.

[Camazotz]

Religion plays a HUGE factor with the ignorance of today.

I don't think ignorance stems from religion as much as it stems from our nature to believe what we believe is right. We all believe what we do because we think we're right. That attitude is what makes people ignorant, whether it's scripture telling you it's right, parents influencing their beliefs upon you, or people just being stubborn.

[deadpie]

I don't think ignorance stems from religion as much as it stems from our nature to believe what we believe is right. We all believe what we do because we think we're right. That attitude is what makes people ignorant, whether it's scripture telling you it's right, parents influencing their beliefs upon you, or people just being stubborn.

Fucking this. People are more to blame for their ignorance than the beliefs that they follow. The stupidity in claiming that "I'm right and everything else is bullshit" is bullshit. It's not only closed minded, but it's just plain dumb.

I really think what you said there is probably the best I've heard in a religious debate in the last couple of months.

[Theatheist of doom]

Why do you think we need religion in the world? Why do you think people are so big on religion?


In response to the first question we don't need religion. We like the idea of religion though. I have to admit it is a nice concept to lean on, they're like crutches, the idea we can go to a heaven. The idea we're being watched over. The idea that we belong here and were created for a purpose. In response to question 2 I think its partially because it's been beaten into our tiny little skulls for so many centuries and the other reason is that its emotionally gratifying (see Q1 response) :cool:

[Sage]

In response to the first question we don't need religion. We like the idea of religion though. I have to admit it is a nice concept to lean on, they're like crutches, the idea we can go to a heaven. The idea we're being watched over. The idea that we belong here and were created for a purpose. In response to question 2 I think its partially because it's been beaten into our tiny little skulls for so many centuries and the other reason is that its emotionally gratifying (see Q1 response) :cool:

Crutches are for cripples.

[Magus]

Crutches are for cripples.

A pain test(electric shock) show that Atheist and Agnostic felt more pain, whilst the religious group, who had a pictures of the Virgin Marry in front of them, seem to have felt less pain(while the same voltage and current run through them).

Brain is a wonderful thing. Seriously, the word "delusion" works perfectly in these cases.

[Continuum]

Brain is a wonderful thing. Seriously, the word "delusion" works perfectly in these cases.

They give someone something to hold on when in distress and pretty much alluding some of the pain in the process. Just like when in a Near-Death experience, you'd forget that you're going through it and instead shift your thoughts onto something else.

[TDjinN95]

An interesting thing with most religions is that they teach against lying. Yet, many of the historic events in the Bible are either fake or exaggerated (take the birthplace of Jesus for example).

[Magus]

(take the birthplace of Jesus for example).
Was it in Bethlehem or Nazareth?

[Amnesiac]

An interesting thing with most religions is that they teach against lying. Yet, many of the historic events in the Bible are either fake or exaggerated (take the birthplace of Jesus for example).

Many of them are fake because of bad translations, yet people still believe it.

Religions teach a lot of things, such as not to commit adultery or that the world was created by a lazy-ass God in a mind-boggling 6 days, yet people don't follow those. Modern religion is all about "picking and choosing" from the Bible.

[TDjinN95]

Was it in Bethlehem or Nazareth?


Jesus was born in Nazareth. But that didn't quite fit with some old prophesy, which foretold that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. So some pope altered history and filled the Bible with more lies and alterations.

[Jean Poutine]

An interesting thing with most religions is that they teach against lying. Yet, many of the historic events in the Bible are either fake or exaggerated (take the birthplace of Jesus for example).

and i assume you can back this up with more than unsourced speculation?

Jesus was born in Nazareth. But that didn't quite fit with some old prophesy, which foretold that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. So some pope altered history and filled the Bible with more lies and alterations.

oh, wait.

[ShaneK]

Were all born questioning our own mortality and place in life. For some religon provides an answer for others its science or we just exist.

Religon has inspired more conflict in us than anything else. Faith blinding people and closing their minds against everything but what they believe. But it has given more inspiration and hope than anything else. Hope against insumountable odds to go on living, that is the power of faith.

The duelity of faith is dependant upon how its interpreted. It can give understanding and peace or conflict and fear. For example al qaeda and some of the bush white house, are extremists, who thrive on fear. Be it fear of physical violence (al qaeda) or fear of being a sympathizer and unpatriotic (bush white house)

[Weeping]

I don't know. I'm atheist so..

:hug:

[Continuum]

Was it in Bethlehem or Nazareth?

I believe it is in Bethlehem. Or maybe in Mecca. :confused:

[Magus]

I believe it is in Bethlehem. Or maybe in Mecca. :confused:
Muhammad was in Mecca. Jesus was in Nazareth. Moses somewhere in Cairo. Noah in Sea. Adam in Space.

[Continuum]

Muhammad was in Mecca. Jesus was in Nazareth. Moses somewhere in Cairo. Noah in Sea. Adam in Space.

Wait, where was Zoroaster born again?

[Magus]

Wait, where was Zoroaster born again?
Tehran... no... Babel... man, somewhere in between Mesopotamia and Persia.

[Sith Lord 13]

An interesting thing with most religions is that they teach against lying. Yet, many of the historic events in the Bible are either fake or exaggerated (take the birthplace of Jesus for example).

Excluding religious parables that are meant to teach religious, as opposed to factual truths, can you find some examples and back them up with sources.

Many of them are fake because of bad translations, yet people still believe it.

Religions teach a lot of things, such as not to commit adultery or that the world was created by a lazy-ass God in a mind-boggling 6 days, yet people don't follow those. Modern religion is all about "picking and choosing" from the Bible.

A day was chosen in the writing as an arbitrary measure of time. The story is about the religious, not historical truth.

Jesus was born in Nazareth. But that didn't quite fit with some old prophesy, which foretold that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. So some pope altered history and filled the Bible with more lies and alterations.

Source?

[ShaneK]

Not much mention about the human side of religon, other than people are held back by it. Plenty of dogma no matter what side from....

[Dunce]

I think alot of customs, even as simple as whats right and wrong, come from religion. Therefore if there was no religion I think the world would be chaotic, it would be a mess. I dont really know what I'm saying tbh, but personally I just think it contributes to stability in peoples lives. I also think it's healthy to have faith in something, be it religion or not.
But on the other hand its the biggest reason for war and discrimination.