Religion

[mudskipper]

I've always thought that religious people were just too terrified to admit that when they die there is no more. All other reasons they give are just excuses to allow them to cling to some ridiculous crutch that will support their need for an after life.

But if I'm wrong I'm going to feel like a total prat at the Pearly Gates.

Humans seem to have an innate need to seek a meaning for life. Different cultures developed different stories, but are there any cultures that never had religion at all? If separate people developed similar beliefs, it does indicate that it is fulfilling some sort of basic need. It's relatively recently that people, particularly in the West, have questioned this in any great numbers.
Lots of people who don't believe will still pray in times of great need or distress - my belief is that this does help - articulating your fears and worries helps to get them in perspective and is more likely both to help you see a solution and recognise that they have gone away when they do. Religious people see this as God helping them.

To describe someone's beliefs as 'ridiculous' seems very arrogant - people who believe in nothing are probably still a tiny minority of the world's population.

[GlenW]

people who believe in nothing are probably still a tiny minority of the world's population.

Doesn't make them wrong.

[EternalOptimist]

Your answer to the following riddle can predict whether you are a believer in religion or a disbeliever:

Q: If a baseball and bat cost $110, and the bat costs $100 more than the ball, how much does the ball cost?















A: If you answered $10 you are inclined to believe in religion. If you answered $5 you are inclined to disbelieve.



Religion and Reason | Psychology Today

Doncha just love these little homilies that 'prove' something ?

has it ever occurred to you that some things are just meaningless even if it's maffs ? like the average Visa PIN ? doable, but totally fckng meaningless

[scooterscot]

I've always thought that religious people were just too terrified to admit that when they die there is no more. All other reasons they give are just excuses to allow them to cling to some ridiculous crutch that will support their need for an after life.

But if I'm wrong I'm going to feel like a total prat at the Pearly Gates.

But then where would all the toasters go?

[scooterscot]

To describe someone's beliefs as 'ridiculous' seems very arrogant - people who believe in nothing are probably still a tiny minority of the world's population.

I believe in my percentage.

HTH DA

[DodgyAgent]

I believe in my percentage.

HTH DA

[scooterscot]

Doncha just love these little homilies that 'prove' something ?

has it ever occurred to you that some things are just meaningless even if it's maffs ? like the average Visa PIN ? doable, but totally fckng meaningless

Yes, it's called science. You know, by discovering truth via test and experiment rather than reading about it in an ancient book?

From the day you were born your mind has given meaning to that which was meaningless. Psychologists refer to this as behavioural meaning. It's only meaningless when you chose to abandon reason. Your eyes for example, they don't really see anything. The text you're reading off this screen is really a image built by your mind.

[Eirikur]

I believe in Santa as I get to see him each year, which can't be said about Zeus, God, Allah, Buddha, Thor etc.

[GlenW]

Not all states go to war. Some remain neutral as it's more profitable to make money from others involved in wars.

Switzerland for instance?

[SpontaneousOrder]

Not all states go to war. Some remain neutral as it's more profitable to make money from others involved in wars.

Good to know. Although no one suggested anything to the contrary.