148 replies to this topic

[Darkwind]

Better, worse or neither. What do you think?

Edited by Tiggs, 23 February 2013 - 12:14 AM.

[Hasina]

We'd find some other reason to hate each other and to be pompous about ourselves.

[Professor T]

worse.. Because it clouds reality..

[Sean93]

I voted 'Worse'

That's 'Worse', people. Which means I'm not saying it's the worst thing ever to grace us, but non the less it has added to the damage and is no better than other things that make the world 'Worse'. (War, Disease Yada, yada and for good measure...Yada)

Might I add, Religion has done good as well.

Science has been the result of some bad things too (atom bombs etc.). There is bad and good in everything, some just contain more bad than good and vice versa.

Edited by Sean93, 23 February 2013 - 12:16 AM.

[Euphorbia]

Hasina, on 22 February 2013 - 11:51 PM, said:

We'd find some other reason to hate each other and to be pompous about ourselves.

We can still try to weed out as many reasons to hate as we can. Not trying does......what?

[Mr Walker]

Religion/spirituality has made all humans what they are today. I like humanity and humans, so i voted better. We would be much "worse" / limited as people and as a race without this element.

Peole who dont like how we are might see religion as making us  worse or limiting us.

In my view we would not be humans, without spirituality; and spirituality leads naturally to religion. It is like logical thought and technology That can lead to good or evil ends but it is an essential ingredirent of wha twe are as a species and all these things and others define what we are.

The question is as complex as asking would we better of  without logic or without technology. The answer is that the question is impossible, because we cannot exist without these things, and  still be human beings. Our humanity creates in us logic, spiritual thought, and the abilty to create and use language, tools etc. In return these things define us.

[Mikko-kun]

Mr Walker says it. We are but children, and making mistakes as well as being imperfect is our way of learning from the world. If you dont reach far, even at the risk of not seeing everything and being ignorant of many things in-between, you're not gonna grow past certain point. It's not just religion, I think that lack of being able to have faith, other than faith in hard-solid proof, will hinder you from growing and you might want to ask these things because you'd like to project your reality on others, but deep down you know it's not going to work because you can't escape from yourself, trust me drugs and religion and anything you try, wont work. You can run, but it'll always be there. You can choose how you handle yourself though.

Religion could be seen as such an escape too, in some cases, and when you take it to extremes or much beyond what you believe in other levels too, getting lost if you dont keep it to a contrast. You know how everything can be used as a weapon, but you should know that there's also a more benign and constructive use for everything, even for suspiciousness and doubt too.

If you try to force people to answer yes or no, what do you think it tells about your way of thinking this matter? Want an easy way out in something which you'd be better off just to keep looking instead of finding.

Mr Walker, on 23 February 2013 - 01:11 AM, said:

The question is as complex as asking would we better of  without logic or without technology. The answer is that the question is impossible, because we cannot exist without these things, and  still be human beings. Our humanity creates in us logic, spiritual thought, and the abilty to create and use language, tools etc. In return these things define us.

You can always find substitutes though, and new ways to fulfill these drives. It's just your own illusion or view, whichever, if you want to stick to yours.
These things can create images of us, but who we are is different than what we do and create. These things support us, but they are just a way to channel your own identity. It's good to have channels like that, but they dont define who we are. They are just reflections we create from ourselves, and definite only in their own existence.

Edited by Mikko-kun, 23 February 2013 - 01:37 AM.

[and then]

Religion is a man made presence in our world.  By and large I think it's a wash - it has been responsible for great evil but also has led to kindnesses and mercy that otherwise might never have been.  But the one true and positive influence is the love of our Creator being expressed through His Holy Spirit in our lives.  The urge, deeply felt in many, to love others as He would love them.  That is independent of any religion.  And as Euphorbia so succinctly said - not trying does, what?

[SpiritWriter]

Do simple answers count or do they have to be complex?

[SpiritWriter]

Dammit I think I voted wrong..or maybe I didnt...... hmmmm

[SpiritWriter]

Most people dont understand the real purpose of religion. This goes for both religious and non. If you could see it correctly its the best thing in the world.

[Hugh]

I believe that Religion has had a valuable place in our evolutionary past, as it was necessary to keep order in our primative societies.

As we grow wiser and more evolved as a species though, there is less of a need to perform certain religious rituals and to visit supposed religious places.

Moral standards are more innately understood, and societal laws are enforced by the judicial system.

Sure, there is a lot of more room for improvement, but we're getting there.

[Professor T]

Mr Walker, on 23 February 2013 - 01:11 AM, said:

Religion/spirituality has made all humans what they are today. I like humanity and humans, so i voted better. We would be much "worse" / limited as people and as a race without this element.

Peole who dont like how we are might see religion as making us  worse or limiting us.

In my view we would not be humans, without spirituality; and spirituality leads naturally to religion. It is like logical thought and technology That can lead to good or evil ends but it is an essential ingredirent of wha twe are as a species and all these things and others define what we are.

The question is as complex as asking would we better of  without logic or without technology. The answer is that the question is impossible, because we cannot exist without these things, and  still be human beings. Our humanity creates in us logic, spiritual thought, and the abilty to create and use language, tools etc. In return these things define us.

I can see where you are comming from. Our humanity is undoubtably tied to our religious past..

Where I am comming from however is the fact that religion has limited our growth.
Religion/belief/faith has been used to control the masses thoughout history.. I'm not saying that all of the evil in the world his a result of religions, but what I am saying is that imo much of the evil and wrong-doings of today can be blamed on religion.. And if religion didn't exist in our past I can imagine that Humanity would be on a higher level of existence.. God is used a good excuse to murder your neighbours or take that which doesn't belong to you because of religious belief.. That imo is a good enough reason to say that religion has made the world Worse off.

[HavocWing]

Hugh, on 23 February 2013 - 02:14 AM, said:

I believe that Religion has had a valuable place in our evolutionary past, as it was necessary to keep order in our primative societies.

As we grow wiser and more evolved as a species though, there is less of a need to perform certain religious rituals and to visit supposed religious places.

Moral standards are more innately understood, and societal laws are enforced by the judicial system.

Sure, there is a lot of more room for improvement, but we're getting there.

They should have been there a long, long, long time ago.

[Hugh]

HavocWing, on 23 February 2013 - 02:23 AM, said:

They should have been there a long, long, long time ago.

We'll get there eventually as a species, it takes time to iron out the bugs.