Originally Posted by Dunes
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So you know where Im coming from, I probably fall around a #5 on that chart.
Premise: Religion is good.
Let me explain my take on it, despite the fact that I lean agnostic.
Religion came about for several reasons, to name a few at a high level:
-1- As a means of explaining the (then currently) unexplainable
-2- As a means of providing hope for the downtrodden
-3- As an additional societal norm for group cohesion
-4- As a means of providing justification for ones actions and as a means of control (dont take a offence at this one yet; see below)
So a bit more detail before I explain my premise.
-1- In an era with even basic mathematics did not exist, you can rest assured that there was a lot that was unexplainable. As societies grew, so did our understanding of the world, and more probable explanations came to be. This might in part explain the theological distillation from gods of everything (thunder, war, the hearth, the etc etc) down to "God", as subject matter for each of those other Gods was no longer unexplainable. Every new scientific/technical discovery of worldly significance deals another blow to religion.
-2- In an era when even basic medical care did not exist or was out of reach of most, religion provided some sense of hope. "Yes, my existence is miserable right now, but someday I will be rewarded for my faith with everything my that my I (my culture) hold dear." Also, "Yes, you may be able to knock down my shanty and steal my possessions, but someday, I will be rewarded for my faith and you will get what is coming to you." As medical care has improved and become more readily available, again, religion is replaced in the hearts of men (and women) by more worldly concerns.
-3- In an era when people were still being eaten by lions and threatened by invading forces, group cohesion and identity were critical. Group cohesion formed cultures, which in turn formed towns, cities, and nations of similarly minded people. Nations did tend to use religion (-4-) as a means of control, but this never would have worked if the people hadnt already adopted their form of religion as a societal norm. Ever has religion played a part in the rise and fall of empires. I will say this, though - religion is becoming less and less a motivator for war than economics. Economics, however, have always played a part in war.
-4- Persona A, "Why did you do that?" Person B, "Because its the right thing to do." This is a broad one, because it encompasses not only our moral "duties" but also our more proactive decision making processes (going to Church, volunteering at a food bank, etc). Unfortunately, this is also the one that gets us in trouble because it is so action-oriented. Person A, "Why are you going to blow yourself up in a highly populated location?" Person B, "because (someone told me that) its the right thing to do." Again, some conflict still ensues due to religion, but it is becoming increasingly less of a motivator despite media attention on the nut job suicide bombers.
So yes, there are pro's and cons to religion, and yes, a post in a forum cant even scratch the tip of the subject. Nevertheless, my premise that religion is good stands true in my mind. What other means is there of making sure that a person does the right thing unless its fear of divine retribution? Also, dont even try to make the argument of "well, what is 'the right thing'?" I think its safe to say that the right thing means not killing the kid that stole your lunch money just because you wont get caught (and other such examples). This simple rule of not killing unecessarily, not stealing, helping others when in need, and basically most of the 10 Commandments, is what keeps our ever growing, hedonistic, and entitled populations from destroying each other completely. Sure, thats a "sky is falling" scenario, but I personally would hate to see a world where religion does not, and never did exist. Sure
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