Is religion still necessary? I know it will be hard to divorce this question from the idea of whether religion will disappear, but what I’m asking essentially amounts to: if religion did disappear, would it reappear or be replaced?
The one question, I would argue, does not necessarily boil down to the other. Is religion necessary? I don't think it is, myself; it's a crutch that's no longer needed now that we understand such a large part of the way the universe works. It is, in my eyes, nothing more than a comforting, wool-wrapped way of looking at reality.
On the other hand, if eliminated, would it reappear? I think it quite possibly would, simply because there are still so many people who are willing and happy to keep the wool over their eyes.
I don't think it is necessary. The fact that there are people without it proves that it is not. Perhaps some people will always be drawn to it, but that makes it no more necessary than S&M.
Not necessary, but there are many religious leaders that do provide beneficial counseling for their community as well as help organize community events and charities. This doesn't ignore the fact that there are many who are just charlatans.
I think if religion would suddenly disappear these roles would need to be filled by non religious community leaders, which seems to be occurring already.
It definitely will reoccur. There are plenty of people who want to take advantage of others, and plenty of gullible people willing to be taken advantage of in the hopes of getting some promised benefit that will never be realized. Starting a religion is one of the best ways to do this.
The one question, I would argue, does not necessarily boil down to the other. Is religion necessary? I don't think it is, myself; it's a crutch that's no longer needed now that we understand such a large part of the way the universe works. It is, in my eyes, nothing more than a comforting, wool-wrapped way of looking at reality.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, if eliminated, would it reappear? I think it quite possibly would, simply because there are still so many people who are willing and happy to keep the wool over their eyes.
If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him. - Voltaire.
ReplyDeleteI think so many people need the crutch of religion. The promise of reward is too great to give up for them.
I wish it were not so, but I am afraid it is.
I don't think it is necessary. The fact that there are people without it proves that it is not. Perhaps some people will always be drawn to it, but that makes it no more necessary than S&M.
ReplyDeleteNot necessary, but there are many religious leaders that do provide beneficial counseling for their community as well as help organize community events and charities. This doesn't ignore the fact that there are many who are just charlatans.
ReplyDeleteI think if religion would suddenly disappear these roles would need to be filled by non religious community leaders, which seems to be occurring already.
It definitely will reoccur. There are plenty of people who want to take advantage of others, and plenty of gullible people willing to be taken advantage of in the hopes of getting some promised benefit that will never be realized. Starting a religion is one of the best ways to do this.