Are we better off with religion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What good has believing in myths ever created?

Religion can create a lot of good:
Community. Shared purpose and values. A sense of belonging and responsibility for others.

Religion isn't the only way to create/find those things, but it is a way.

But this does not answer the question: "What good has believing in myths ever created?" It does sound though, that you acknowledge that religion is a myth

[Anonymous]

Definitely better off without. On the whole, believing in myths is a net negative.

[Anonymous]

Religion is the oldest form of government.

Government is a religion to some.

Neither will be needed when humanity is mature enough, as both are simply ways to control people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pouring super special water on a baby to absolve them of sins its own god gave to it is “beautiful” and “meaningful”?

Nothing “beautiful” and “meaningful” about pouring water on a baby, but the ceremony being passed down from generation to generation might be special to people and simply mark the welcoming of a new person to our world.

There are secular ceremonies that do the same thing.

There are secular ceremonies, but they don't pour water on babies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Religion is the oldest form of government.

Government is a religion to some.

Neither will be needed when humanity is mature enough, as both are simply ways to control people.

I doubt it. People will always need rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Religion is the oldest form of government.

Government is a religion to some.

Neither will be needed when humanity is mature enough, as both are simply ways to control people.

We won't need religion when we're controlled by AI.

[Anonymous]

Not religious here and grew up without any.
I think there is an educational component to some religions. There's a lot of world history there, as well as issues of ethical behavior.
But it all depends on how the texts are presented. An American evangelical probably isn't going to have as strong a grasp of the Bible as a Roman Catholic. And very likely wouldn't understand the dynamics of all the European wars of yore.
I also agree that religion engenders community due to the regular gatherings of attendees.

Religious texts, not just the Bible, are full of life's complications, conflicts and tragedies. The Roman and Greek myths were full of them too. I think those stories give people context for their own life events.
I say all this, again, as a lifelong outsider to the world of religion.

I've long been intrigued by why Christianity exploded amongst the Koreans. It's been a vassal state for much of its history and a culture mostly adapted from its Confucian neighbor. Maybe lack of a home grown identity is why they are spiritually hungry. Don't know.

That said, I read that contemporary "Wellness" culture is the new religious format.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are better with it. Society is collapsing. Religion at least gives morals and values to live by. What do we have now.

Bullsh*t.

Religion is one of the main reasons we are in this mess, and the Bible is a highly amoral book.

+1. Maybe society is collapsing BECAUSE of the harm of religion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What good has believing in myths ever created?

Religion can create a lot of good:
Community. Shared purpose and values. A sense of belonging and responsibility for others.

Religion isn't the only way to create/find those things, but it is a way.

Agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What good has believing in myths ever created?

Religion can create a lot of good:
Community. Shared purpose and values. A sense of belonging and responsibility for others.

Religion isn't the only way to create/find those things, but it is a way.

Agree

Religion CAN create a lot of good, and a lot of bad. Why? because it was invented by humans and we are both good and bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely better off without. On the whole, believing in myths is a net negative.

+1. This.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What good has believing in myths ever created?

Religion can create a lot of good:
Community. Shared purpose and values. A sense of belonging and responsibility for others.

Religion isn't the only way to create/find those things, but it is a way.

And Humans will find a way to do whatever they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are better with it. Society is collapsing. Religion at least gives morals and values to live by. What do we have now.

Bullsh*t.

Religion is one of the main reasons we are in this mess, and the Bible is a highly amoral book.

+1. Maybe society is collapsing BECAUSE of the harm of religion?

Maybe so, but only juxtaposed with the knowledge we now have about science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Use religion like a buffet bar, pick what you need or like and leave the rest. Don't try to overeat or try everything because its there.

Good analogy, except that some people don't need the buffet bar at all. Unlike food, which all humans need to live, religion is not necessary for human survival.