I argued earlier that religion is a placeholder for the unknown. As science's explanatory prowess grows, the role of religion will inevitably shrink. We're facing an inevitable march toward secularism. What I was wondering, and discussing with my friend and the anonymous comment, is if this is a good thing or not.
I've studied both in my sociology classes and in last semester's anthropology of religion class how religion has many beneficial functions in society. It defines a society's common identity and promotes solidarity between it's members. This is beneficial, both psychologically for the individuals of the society as well as for the society's survival as a whole.
As i said in response to the comment, knowing what I know now I simply can't go back to believing in a religion for it's psychological and sociological benefits. I would be living a lie. What I could believe in though, is an informational vault of common societal morals subject to debate and change without ridiculous myths attached to it. Arguing that the miracles achieved in holy writ actually happened is several centuries out of date, and is borderline ridiculous. I'm pretty sure that the dogma of religion is one of the things that has held it back in our time, and led to the rise of agnosticism and atheism.
One of the closest things I could think of to this would be interpreting the bible solely metaphorically, although i do have problems with some of those subsequent interpretations. Maybe what we collectively need spiritually is not a king-like bible whose rule is forever set in stone and unchanging, but rather a modern constitution of morality, subject to debate and amendments.
As I mentioned in response to the comment, maybe I'll write my own morality constitution one day, and watch as the whole world bends to my will. muahahahaha. just kidding. but not really.
Oh and if you want to see the original anonymous comment, its under Religion Part 2.
Organized religion is dumb, and if the world is moving towards secularism then hooray . The justification of it saying that it "promotes solidarity" and gives people a common identity, could virtually be used for anything.
ReplyDeleteWell... hey there the KKK was a terribly racist murderous destructive terrorist group that has gone down in history for their malicious acts.... But it was a good way for those member of it to have a social group and interact with other people who held a common ground with them. How's that sound?
I hope you get my idea, and I know that that sociological beneifts of religion isn't something you came up with so don't get offended, but that's my (short) 2 cents on it.
got 2 get back to studying! -_-
the justification probably could be used for anything, but it so happens that religion is the best at doing it, and the most common. Maybe i should refine my position by saying that there needs to be something cohesive between the members of the society, and it so happens that religion often fills that role. In lieu of religion, something else should take its place.
ReplyDeletebeautifully put but is it not in many peoples' nature to be self centered and uncaring if not threatened by eternal suffering. Also not everyone is smart enough to A) understand scientific explanations and B) see the long term threats of say global warming and a huge nuclear arsenal that will eventually end the human race in place of eternal suffering should we fail to get off planet. In essence if people cannot understand the reason behind the secular society (which I have found to be survive and learn about the hows and whys of the uni/multi-verse) how can the society hold itself together?
ReplyDeleteI do not often speak on this subject so please excuse me if that was jumbled
Your first sentence has my brain tripping over itself to try and understand it. Too many negatives haha. I think youre agreeing with what I said? I'm not sure how your A and B points are relevant. To the final point, I feel like the mutual goal of survival can be enough to hold a society together. Although like I said, a common system of morality is very good in gluing a society together, but that system doesnt have to be inherently religious. I'm sorry that my response to your response isnt very good, but I cant really respond to something I dont understand that well. And I excuse you haha
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