h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Being a semi-active atheist I read a lot about the negative effects of religion, and we often get a lot of angry ex-religious people come along to our meetings.

But what are the good points, how do you benefit from being in your religion.

I'm not religious and it isn't obvious to me how it would benefit me from adopting a religion.

However, although it all seems rather a lot of nonsense to me, there are plenty of people for whom religion is a comfort, provides them with a moral framework to live by and makes sense. I'm not about to criticise them for that and would support them in their right to hold such beliefs. In fact, right now, it seems to me that we could do with a moral framework.

There are of course plenty who have lost the plot and religion has brought about the deaths of millions over the years. But that's a different matter.

PP.

To the extent that your religious beliefs support you in being the best person you can be, and treating your fellow humans with kindness, humility, forbearance, and justice, religion is a good thing.

When I'm disappointed in the actions of a religious person, it is because that person did not live up to the high standards of that religion. I'm also critical of scientists who are not scientific enough.

I have no religion but I do quite like going to church occasionally to see people and have a sing. I always find the religious bits of the service a bit weird though - I struggle to accept that grown adults actually believe what they are saying. But I don't have a problem with people liking the structure and comfort that religion brings to their lives. Just don't beat me up over it.

Mol

Mol's view ties with the few religious folks I know. It's a supportive community for those who enjoy or at least tolerate moral lectures.

If 42 doesn't work for you, then you might as easily find the meaning of life in a church.

No, I'm not religious, though often at various times I've been envious of those who are, or just wish I could know what it must be like, to be, - as it is, I have no belief, no ability to just do that, and that is the bit i find ver hard, to comprehend, how that must be, to have a mind that is able to work within a framework based entirely on belief,, belief, its... just so very differnt I guess to the way in which my mind works... not better, not worse, just differnt I guess...
A lot of people seem to get a lot out of it, whether that is what they're getting from the religion itself, or from having a mind that is such able to do the whole 'belief' thing, I don' tknow, probably a bit of both... I've never believed in anything relaly.

I'm not religious. However, I absolutely support peoples right to believe whatever they believe, as long as they follow a moral code along the lines of the Wiccan rede: An' it harm none, do as ye will.

When I was a child I went to Sunday school, but I don't remember my parents going to church so I suspect it was a way of farming us out for an hour or so It didn't do my any harm.

I would have described myself as an atheist, but that almost seems to be turning into a religion in itself. When you believe in something and try to get someone else to believe in it too, when you meet up with like-minded people to discuss it, that feels like a religion to me.

My lack of belief doesn't need a name. I don't believe in ghosts either, it's a non-issue.

Deb

The only problem with "religion" is the wars it has caused. No one faith can be singled out they all seem to have this weakness.

I don't think Christian Science has caused many wars. The Society of Friends is pacifist. Doing harm to others seems to be central to Buddhism, though it's intriguing to note that in countries like Myanmar, almost all butchers are Muslim; Ahimsa prevents Buddhists from killing animals, but if they buy from butchers they can eat meat.

The people who espouse religious creeds are imperfect, as are the rest of us.

Not.

I was introduced into the Baptist faith, but neither Baptised or forced into religion, my parents preferring us to find our own way. We went to Sunday school, I think more as part of our education and or us to understand Christianity (Anglican) as well as the social and personal benefits. I did go on to attending church but fell out with it at 15, after being taught about Communism, Buddhism, Judaism and reading Mein Kampf. Subsequently I went on to read up on other religions and, at College, spent time chatting to Students of different religions, especially those of the Indian continent and Muslims.

In short, they all appear to follow similar tenets, introduced aspects into their religion which were designed to prolong life, most of which would no longer apply to those practicing in the Western world.

I ave also found, as I have got older, that people turn to religion, if non-believers, as they reach the end of their own mortality.

For me, I remain an Agnostic, verging on Atheist. I attempt to steer clear of religious celebrations, except where family requirements dictate. Cards at Christmas tend to be non-religious, as is the writing inside.

Each to their own but, like Politics, ones beliefs are best left to oneself and I get annoyed by those who advertise, proselytise and pour scorn and opprobrium on those whose views differ, where they have any.

It had it's uses in the dim past, but generally no longer.

My

MMF

Religion doesn't cause wars. Stupid people with inflexible dogmatic opinions of what religious texts say cause wars.

PP.

Good point Ok religion provides people with a cause for war

I don't think it would be possible to design a religion that would, without fail, prevent war. At least among humans. Humans are the problem. Period.

We don't know what our experience of the world would have been like without religion. We took the path that led to religion, not the one that led elsewhere. Conceivably, for all its faults, religion has produced a better world than we would otherwise have had. People tend to coalesce around charismatic figures who seem to know what they're talking about. If the Sky Fairy has put agreeable notions into the leaders' heads, maybe people go along.

Maybe.

Then again, maybe psychiatry would have evolved much sooner, and people would have had better methods for resolving interpersonal conflicts.

I lost my religousity early in life, by a personal affront. Prior to that, I was an altar boy and even pondering a brotherhood sort of life-service. Since then, I have always felt that there is some higher answer - be it a single one or a blend of some, or even a fuller understanding of the universe and existence. So I read, of pretty much anything that I can find in my language. And I never belittle nor decry anyone else's beliefs (except when they clash with personal rights and freedoms of others).

As to wars, I have never seen them being the result of religion. That has been a tool to rouse the crowds, just as the slant or roundness of eyes, hue of skin, quality and quantity of fertile land. Someone that seeks power and control will use what-ever tool presents itself. People just tend to get much more fervent when their belief is raised than say - them folks got so much better olives because of their soil.

I myself am an atheist. Had a very religious upbringing though. Even though I don't agree with a lot of it, it nonetheless has a significant influence on my behavior even today.

Hating people for worshipping an invisible authoritarian know-it-all would be pretty counter-productive for me, since then I'd alienate my own family members. And they're good people, so whatever.

I've read about a lot of different religions practiced throughout the course of human history. Truth is I find the whole thing very interesting. What compels people to believe in stuff for which they have virtually no evidence is quite mystifying. I believe they just... can't accept their own mortality.

Personally, however, I've always felt that believing we only have one life to live is more spiritually fulfilling and meaningful. And the notion of anybody sticking their fingers in my life and manipulating me to fulfill some hidden agenda is just.... ugh...

Regardless, I do quite enjoy religious conversations when both sides genuinely listen to and try to understand the other's viewpoint. Sadly that doesn't happen very often. And condescension pisses me off.





"Then again, maybe psychiatry would have evolved much sooner, and people would have had better methods for resolving interpersonal conflicts."


Psychiatry's overrated. And, really, it DID evolve much sooner, in a manner of speaking. People have been talking to each other to resolve mental and emotional torment for as long as there have been people.

Personally I've always found, y'know, good friends to be vastly better than psychiatrists anyway....

My opinions are much as 2legs stated. I can see the benefits that religion brings to the life of some of my friends, but I cannot personally take the step of belief.

Such are the attractions of a religion that, unable to believe in anyone elses, in my youth I created my own which has liturgy and ritual, but not belief; two out of three ain't bad.

Like Debs I feel no need for a label for my lack of belief. There are many improbable things that I don't believe. No-one feels the need to call people who do not believe in a flat-earth "round-earthers" (correct me if I'm wrong you flat-earthers out there).

The flatness or roundness of the earth has little effect on people's day-to-day life. Many religions, on the other hand, are prescriptive as to what people can, can't, and must do regularly -- pray X number of times a day, facing a particular direction or not, keeping one or more days a week holy (and by what means), not eating certain types of foods at all, eating other types of foods during specific holidays. If I wanted the laziest possible faith, I would go for the flat/round belief system. It places very little burden on the believer.

I find it best to only believe my eyes and ears. Anything else is hearsay.

http://www.thedailyzen.org/2015/05/27/the-ruler-of-the-universe/

That link treads pretty close to solipsism.