• Religion : why does it exist ?
    792 replies, posted
Religion and Why it exists. Okay, so if you were to go ask any random person you would probably get a handful(or more) different answers. Probably one of the most common answers you will find is that "Religion was invented to explain the non-explainable." and "Religion was invented to control the mass ignorance and idiocy of the human race." Well I would like to offer a different observation. Say for the sake of hypothesis that there is a higher power or god and and he created the universe and everything in it. Now, if this god or gods created man, who at the very beginning would be the very definition of ignorance. Because like babies, they know nothing of the world and everything is spoon fed to them. Suppose for a moment that Man one day wised up and decided to rebel against the very god(s) or power that created them. Just like growing up as a child, you reach a rebellious phase, and you don't want to listen to your parents and do your own thing. So also, with time, you forget things. You may forget your great-grandparents(if you even met them). With time, people forget things. So I say that with time, the very people that rebelled against the god or higher power forgot about that higher power and since they couldn't remember their origins, they came up with their own. The ancient peoples saw the various things they didn't understand and using the knowledge attained from their creator, they attached the two, thus creating religion. Religion is simply reaching out to a higher power or god, so that they feel that they have a purpose in life. tl;dr: People need a purpose, so with knowledge forgotten with time, tried to piece back their knowledge attained from their creator, and since they had forgotten their original creator, they made up their own, basing rituals and laws from previous ones, changing them to their liking, thus creating religion.
[QUOTE=Jookia;37707276]I thought I was. The question was about scientists, was it not?[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Jookia;37707276][QUOTE=BFG9000;37707276]Explain why countless scientists in history have spiritual beliefs[/QUOTE]Ignorance. [usually ignorance for scientists, [I]as they seek to explain the world, fall short then turn to the non-scientific approach.[/I]][/QUOTE] Could have been clearer. Anyway, I guess I'm just being picky.
I think it was curiosity. Man wants to know what happens after death, why we do what we do, why things are the way they are. We all know how frustrating it is to not know something while knowing that you will NEVER know. Man made up things to come up with an answer. Nowadays, unfortunately, religion exists to bring people together into a group so that they can "fit in", to feel ok about committing "sin", and for power and control. I wish religion was an ever evolving open for everyone philosophical discussion, with the ability to interpret it in your own way. A type of thing where we think about what happens when we die, about our place in the universe, etc. instead of these set and stone "this is the answer" religions.
[QUOTE=bobbert4ever;37709042]I wish religion was an ever evolving open for everyone philosophical discussion, with the ability to interpret it in your own way. A type of thing where we think about what happens when we die, about our place in the universe,[/QUOTE] I strangely find this wish of yours to describe kind of how I practice my religion. I dont say, "GOD FUCKING HATES <group/person> BECAUSE FRED PHELPS SAID SO AND HE IS GOD'S BITCH" No, I interpret the philosophies of Christianity my own way. Did you know I recently discovered the possibility that King David might have been bisexual? Of course there may be some things lost in translation but there is a part in the bible where it basically states that David makes out with Saul's son. In addition I know I've talked about him alot but my pastor I think also studies religion like this; he doesn't restate all the old shit everyone's already heard ("LOLSINZ"), instead, he actually studies and draws philosophical conclusions based on that I just really find it a huge shame that atheists tend to stereotype us in negative ways based on the actions or ideals of a bunch of fundamentalist churches or groups (westboro comes to mind but I realize that the problem is more dispersed and "moderate" than that) On an unrelated but slightly relevant note I heard over the radio today that some antitheists or something were filing some kind of court action around Ground Zero because apparently in the rubble a piece of the structure had arranged itself into a crucifix by chance. They wanted the thing removed because it was a "religous symbol on public property" or some shit like that. Frankly I think they're just a little too butthurt.
[QUOTE=BFG9000;37709163]I strangely find this wish of yours to describe kind of how I practice my religion. I dont say, "GOD FUCKING HATES <group/person> BECAUSE FRED PHELPS SAID SO AND HE IS GOD'S BITCH" No, I interpret the philosophies of Christianity my own way. Did you know I recently discovered the possibility that King David might have been bisexual? Of course there may be some things lost in translation but there is a part in the bible where it basically states that David makes out with Saul's son. In addition I know I've talked about him alot but my pastor I think also studies religion like this; he doesn't restate all the old shit everyone's already heard ("LOLSINZ"), instead, he actually studies and draws philosophical conclusions based on that I just really find it a huge shame that atheists tend to stereotype us in negative ways based on the actions or ideals of a bunch of fundamentalist churches or groups (westboro comes to mind but I realize that the problem is more dispersed and "moderate" than that) On an unrelated but slightly relevant note I heard over the radio today that some antitheists or something were filing some kind of court action around Ground Zero because apparently in the rubble a piece of the structure had arranged itself into a crucifix by chance. They wanted the thing removed because it was a "religous symbol on public property" or some shit like that. Frankly I think they're just a little too butthurt.[/QUOTE] Same goes for theists viewing atheists negatively. All too often we are viewed as Satan worshiping rebels who just want to look cool, when in reality, only overly open ones who talk about it non stop are like that.
Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.
[QUOTE=thisispain;37709528]It is the opium of the people.[/QUOTE] this is true. Buddhists and Hindus burn incense and I had the distinct impression there was some hallucinogen in them sticks. :)
marx 420 everyday
[QUOTE=Jookia;37693284]No.[/QUOTE] Is ignorance to be described as a lack of knowledge? If so, we are all indeed more or less ignorant of something or another. I doubt any one person on this earth has all the information.
Religion- the right for a King to be appointed and to declare wars.
[QUOTE=Jayhawker30;37722133]Is ignorance to be described as a lack of knowledge? If so, we are all indeed more or less ignorant of something or another. I doubt any one person on this earth has all the information.[/QUOTE] Duh.
Do you redact your response of everyone not being ignorant?
[QUOTE=Jayhawker30;37733160]Do you redact your response of everyone not being ignorant?[/QUOTE] No.
So my "more or less ignorant" isn't necessarily your up and front "ignorant", right?
I think that all of our money needs to be remade with the "god" part taken off of it. I know that never gonna fuckin happen because it is too expensive and too large to undertake. I also believe that the "god" part of the pledge should be removed. Lets face it, the whole "seperation of church and state" is just a crock of shit because it isnt even being obeyed
[QUOTE=MalwareOhMy!;37738665]I think that all of our money needs to be remade with the "god" part taken off of it. I know that never gonna fuckin happen because it is too expensive and too large to undertake. I also believe that the "god" part of the pledge should be removed. Lets face it, the whole "seperation of church and state" is just a crock of shit because it isnt even being obeyed[/QUOTE] This is such a trifle matter. It always makes me laugh when someone gets their panties in a bunch over this Hell, there were Anti-theists who wanted part of the Ground Zero rubble to be removed because it happened to fall in the shape of a cross and brought lots of people hope from the ashes Even more hell there are some people out there that want to rename Christmas
[QUOTE=BFG9000;37738869]This is such a trifle matter. It always makes me laugh when someone gets their panties in a bunch over this Hell, there were Anti-theists who wanted part of the Ground Zero rubble to be removed because it happened to fall in the shape of a cross and brought lots of people hope from the ashes Even more hell there are some people out there that want to rename Christmas[/QUOTE] yeah i know it sounds a little extreme to remake all currency. but the fact that it wasnt there, and then the treasury or whoever the fuck was decided to put it there; pisses me off. and it is trivial to get upset at this but what the fuck US treasury
I just heard from a friend that the reason why they did it was to give communism the middle finger Don't ask me how that works
ok I am not trying to bash anyone specifically, but dear religious people, when you try to prove your religion by citing the bible or any "holy" book, saying you have faith, or just telling some personal account. I dont know if this is how all atheists feel, but you look and sound REALLY stupid when you do those things. Like im not even trying to be funny when I say stupid. I mean it actually makes me laugh when people do those things.
[QUOTE=MalwareOhMy!;37739125]ok I am not trying to bash anyone specifically, but dear religious people, when you try to prove your religion by citing the bible or any "holy" book, saying you have faith, or just telling some personal account. I dont know if this is how all atheists feel, but you look and sound REALLY stupid when you do those things. Like im not even trying to be funny when I say stupid. I mean it actually makes me laugh when people do those things.[/QUOTE] My problem with them stems from the fact that countless amounts of religious people are unable to accept that people have different ideologies. People in the US persecute Muslims because Islam is just wrong and anyone who is a Muslim is apparently a towelheaded terrorist. Muslims also are guilty of persecuting Americans for whatever stupid reason. Religion has started so many wars based on intolerance it's not even funny.
[QUOTE=Jayhawker30;37733334]So my "more or less ignorant" isn't necessarily your up and front "ignorant", right?[/QUOTE] Your more or less ignor.. What? I really don't understand what you're on about.
[QUOTE=MalwareOhMy!;37739125]ok I am not trying to bash anyone specifically, but dear religious people, when you try to prove your religion by citing the bible or any "holy" book, saying you have faith, or just telling some personal account. I dont know if this is how all atheists feel, but you look and sound REALLY stupid when you do those things. Like im not even trying to be funny when I say stupid. I mean it actually makes me laugh when people do those things.[/QUOTE] There isn't really any world view that doesn't require faith, there are just some people who are more willing to admit it than others, unless you don't believe in anything(I'm not even sure if that counts as a world view).
[QUOTE=MalwareOhMy!;37739125]ok I am not trying to bash anyone specifically, but dear religious people, when you try to prove your religion by citing the bible or any "holy" book, saying you have faith, or just telling some personal account. I dont know if this is how all atheists feel, but you look and sound REALLY stupid when you do those things. Like im not even trying to be funny when I say stupid. I mean it actually makes me laugh when people do those things.[/QUOTE] ok I am not trying to bash anyone specifically, but Dear critical Atheist people, when you try to judge my beliefs by saying religion is to control people, or just apply some completely outrageous stereotype to me. I don't know if this is how all (not fundamentalist) religous people feel, but you look and sound REALLY stupid when you do those things. Like im not even trying to be funny when I say stupid. I mean it actually makes me laugh when people do those things. [editline]20th September 2012[/editline] Haha, sorry. But to an extent I actually experience this myself when I observe this happening (not to me but to atheists) Basically its people rambling on about a book that the target audience doesn't even get two shits about. This is NOT the way to approach this.You need to actually show them love, not just yell it at them.
BFG, i didnt know your beliefs, I didnt bother going through all 18 pages and I skipped to the end to post. i really try to not offend people because everyone hates THOSE atheists. but it is TRUTH that most religious people are ignorant to the facts and when someone tells them that some parts of the bible are completely absurd, they just dont listen. the only way to lose religion, is exterminate everyone who believes in religion, which is a very bad idea, or find a new habitable planet and begin anew there ATHEISTS ONLY
[QUOTE=MalwareOhMy!;37751751]BFG, i didnt know your beliefs, I didnt bother going through all 18 pages and I skipped to the end to post. i really try to not offend people because everyone hates THOSE atheists. but it is TRUTH that most religious people are ignorant to the facts and when someone tells them that some parts of the bible are completely absurd, they just dont listen. the only way to lose religion, is exterminate everyone who believes in religion, which is a very bad idea, or find a new habitable planet and begin anew there ATHEISTS ONLY[/QUOTE] Religion isn't like some kind of gene that you can isolate through eugenics, it's an idea and as long as we can think we'll have some form of religion.
[QUOTE=Jookia;37740333]Your more or less ignor.. What? I really don't understand what you're on about.[/QUOTE] You said that the reason scientists believed in God was ignorance. Another guy asked if it was true that EVERYONE was ignorant. You said "no". I then made a statement that everyone is more or less ignorant about some things (or possibly everything), and you agreed. I then asked if that meant your redacted your statement about not everyone being ignorant. You said "no". So I then asked if your idea of "ignorance" was different than what I was talking about.
[QUOTE=Jayhawker30;37755056]You said that the reason scientists believed in God was ignorance. Another guy asked if it was true that EVERYONE was ignorant. You said "no". I then made a statement that everyone is more or less ignorant about some things (or possibly everything), and you agreed. I then asked if that meant your redacted your statement about not everyone being ignorant. You said "no". So I then asked if your idea of "ignorance" was different than what I was talking about.[/QUOTE] When he wrote 'everyone was ignorant' I assumed that he was talking about what I was talking about: God of the gaps.
I think it is agreeable though that if for whatever reason, everyone stopped following religion, the earth would be a much more peaceful place and we could actually industrialize the rest of the world
[QUOTE=MalwareOhMy!;37760712]I think it is agreeable though that if for whatever reason, everyone stopped following religion, the earth would be a much more peaceful place and we could actually industrialize the rest of the world[/QUOTE] It's agreeable that if everyone decided to follow one belief and world view that the earth would be a much more peaceful place.
I don't see why in the world we all fight over religions that worship non-existent things.
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