Since there's been much typing about this religion or that, what some sanctimonious hypocrite was caught doing this week....(which I found interesting at first, but not after the 5,000th example)...I've started focusing on believers instead. Not WHAT they believe, but WHY they feel compelled to believe such self-contradictory ideas (i.e. Jesus died for us, he rose from the dead 3 days later. In what sense did he die for me? He 'paid for our sins' by his crucifiction. I'll pay you $8,000 for your used car. If I take my money back in 3 days, did I pay for your car?)
I view religion as a symptom of the human condition, not the cause. I think if people didn't have a king or chief, they'd create one - and the boogeyman-in-the-sky is just a meme which satisfies this urge in normal people.
Do you think it's worth discussing?
Mark Twain wrote "What is Man?", "Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven", and "Letters From The Earth" which pretty much sum up what I've observed.
IS THERE ALREADY A THREAD THAT HAS A SIMILAR THEME?
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I am sure there is a thread somewhere that talked about similar, but was probably years ago, much better to start a new topic then resurrecting (HAH!) an old thread.
Yes definitely agree, religion is a symptom. Pretty obvious to me anyways, but I always been saying: all the evidence points to man creating the god idea, instead of the other way around, (god created man from an idea.)
...then resurrecting (HAH!) an old thread.
C'mon Logic. How else can I prove the power and existence of the All Powerful Sky Faerie and his Magic Zombie Virgin son?
rmfr
Gods are certainly man made and they evolve over time like any other cultural meme. The Jesus of today is not the same Jesus of the iron age or even a hundred years ago.
So....
What interests me, what I'd like to discuss, is whether average people feel glad that those who disagree will burn in hell, or is it just that they don't think it through....(don't consider the logical consequences of their belief)?
The focus of my curiosity is in trying to understand normal people, since I seem to be an alien trapped on this planet - that is, I don't get excited about professional sports, I never wanted to learn to be a good dancer, and the only time I dress to impress is for job interviews.
Any ideas?
I just saw a news article on BBC where, yet again, people are fighting in the streets over ideas that I find ridiculous:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45075830
I cannot imagine getting out of bed in the morning, grabbing brass knuckles and a knife, to go to a rally to beat people up while carrying my "Jesus Christ is risen repent and believe" sign. Apparently this happens quite a bit. What's wrong with me?
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Howdy, Comfy! Great having you with us! Welcome!
You asked, "Apparently this happens quite a bit. What's wrong with me?", in regards to why you do not feel inclined to participate in violent riots to convince others your particular fairy tale belief is true. Well, I hate to be the one to state the obvious here, but I'm certain anybody can see it is because you have a considerable lack of Delusion-Dedication. Furthermore, I am detecting some disturbing indications that your General Rationality Levels may be stuck somewhere within the "healthy" range. Tsk-tsk-tsk.... What a shame...*hanging head and shaking it sadly*... Wish I had better news for you, young man. As it is, I'm afraid you have your work cut out for you if you so desire the overwhelming urge to organize violent protests within your neighborhood any time soon.
My suggestion is start slow and easy. Do little things at first like leaving the toilet seat up, and refusing to help clear the table after meals, and such as that. Work your way up. Develop that rebellious and anti-social attitude gradually. Then one day, before you even realize it, you too will find yourself among the crowds of the faithful, holding your hand-crafted sign with its pithy (yet highly provocative) slogan, and chanting relentlessly how the poor ignorant and misguided souls on the other side will rot in hell for not believing the same way your group believes. And, with any luck, you might just get a chance to put those shiny new brass knuckles to use on the nose of one of those despicable cretins to help convert him/her to your way of thinking. Aaaahhh.... It's all about having goals.
Unfortunately for you, though, I'm afraid your condition is rather severe. And while I hate being the bearer of bad news, and I don't want to discourage your dreams, my evaluation is that your rationality is far too healthy and your dedication to delusion is far too low for you to feasibly reach such violently lofty heights. I'm sorry, but it is something you needed to hear.
@Comfy Re: "(i.e. Jesus died for us, he rose from the dead 3 days later. In what sense did he die for me? He 'paid for our sins' by his crucifiction. I'll pay you $8,000 for your used car. If I take my money back in 3 days, did I pay for your car?)"
Hey, man, I showed my wife that analogy and she really liked it. (I did too, by the way.) She is a mod on another debate site, and she wants to know if you would mind her posting that on one of their boards. She said she would give you the credit. *chuckle*