Religion

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   gmwilliamsposted 6 years ago

   
   Is being religious a sign of immaturity & mental illness?  Does humankind in 21st century society need religion?  Should religion be discarded in the postmodern, 21st century as it is totally outmoded & retrogressive?

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      Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      The picture you chose obviously displays immaturity in the figure holding the sign.  I don't think mental illness is a fair assessment. Not knowing what factors drove the parents of this poor soul to the point of irrational hatred.
      
      As to the rest of your question. We are always presented with the extremes when these sad questions are posed. It inhibits the ability to have a meaningful discussion on the topic. Primarily because the questions, themselves, and the manner in which they are presented cause one to assume the same questions brought to mind about the parents of that little child could be asked about the one attempting to start a dialogue.

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   2. 95

      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Immaturity?  Mental Illness?  As there are as many believers in a god(s) as not, or more, I'd have to say no.  And mental illness is ridiculous anyway - belief does not come from mental illness.
      
      It might be interesting to observe where the non-believers tend to live, though - for the most part in socialistic societies or where the government gives all the orders and structures lives.  Where people are left alone to a greater extent a god of some kind seems to be more "necessary".  Or at least desired.

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   3. 80

      lovetherainposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Religion will always be with us, because God will always be with us.

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      1. 95

         wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Shiva or Kali?  Or both?

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         1. 61

            Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Both, and all others. Until we get a definitive answer which all humanity can hear; humanity is left to speculate.

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            1. 95

               wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               Hmm.  You're right - Thor, Odin and the rest of them may have simply gotten disgusted with mankind and pulled back to remain in Asgard.  Alive and well, just not visiting any more.
               
               Strikes me as a good thing - can't say I'd like to meet most of mankind's gods through history.  Not very savory characters, and most of them seemed quite violent to boot.

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               1. 61

                  Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  I don't know about all of that. My theory is that we all see a tiny bit of it. It is our lives, prejudices and needs which determine which bit we see. Isn't religion little more than an ounce of truth wrapped in 15 oz of bs? For that matter, that sums up most people's perception of the reality we do know.

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                  1. 95

                     wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                     I see religion, nearly all religions, as beginning with a philosophy of morals and ethics, and nearly all of them by well meaning people.  Either that or as an attempt to explain nature - Thor's hammer causing thunder might be an example, or Astarte bring spring with her when she visits.
                     
                     But it deteriorates rapidly when organized religion steps in, with the need to support and provide a livelihood to the priesthood.  The trappings of modern organized religion, from the Vatican to Billion dollar churches are useful for fleecing the public of their coinage, but not so much in providing philosophical concepts.
                     
                     Which is about what you said; an ounce of philosophy wrapped in 15 oz of impressive padding.

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                     1. 65

                        Jessie L Watsonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                        +1

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                     2. 65

                        Jessie L Watsonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                        My general attitude is that the 1-ounce of philosophy is critical for preservation.

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                        1. 95

                           wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                           Agreed.  At least for preservation of a culture I would like to live in, if not for the species as a whole.
                           
                           But that 1 ounce comes from man, from a person, not from a god hiding in the sky (or mountain or tree or the depths of the ocean) who only speaks to a single person who then charges fees to pass the information on.

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                           1. 65

                              Jessie L Watsonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                              Agreed as well. I am only a Christian by virtue of the virtues within that framework. I don't believe the Earth is 5,000 years old nor do I beleive that such virtues emanate from some transcendent deity BUT...I act as if I believe that (save for scientific inquiry).
                              
                              There's utility in thinking someone is watching over your shoulder...but that can easily devolve into the tyrannization of one-self. But its better than unbridled ego-fulfillment IMO.

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                     3. 61

                        Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                        Organized religion. I'd agree that's pretty much the extent of the problem. But, that's the problem with any attempt at governance. It starts out with an attempt to organize and, let it live long enough, it becomes an attempt to subjugate. Truths believed to be self evident get bogged down with rules and regulations which eventually pervert the original ideas.

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                        1. 95

                           wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                           Agree 100%.  It always turns into subjugation and profit.

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