EvC Forum: What is religion good for?

Ifen, are you approaching sociology from a Darwinist perspective?
Jared Diamond apparantly did.

What do we have so far?

Ben writes:

The religious folks do two things. First, when they argue about ToE and ID, they parrot their crap and ignore the facts before them. Is there anything we can do to get through to them? Is that truely an impossible task?
Second, following from the first, they continue to cram their religion down every throat they can without regard to the horrible results brought about by religion. They do not respect the rights of other beliefs.

They are drunk on religion. They only see with blinders on.

nwr writes:

What is the value of religion, in the sense of its social role within society? And what is the value of religion to an individual?

We have to hone our definitions at this point.

Websters writes:

re”li”gion 1 : the service and worship of God or the supernatural 2 : devotion to a religious faith 3 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious beliefs, attitudes, and practices 4 : a cause, principle, or belief held to with faith and ardor ” re”li”gion”ist n

If religion is defined as #1 above, the clash of absolute values will manifest in society.
If religion is defined as #2 or #3 there will be cultural differences yet less conflict.
If religion is defined as#4, it becomes entirely relative and personal.

nwr writes:

This is not a question about any particular religion, although answers might be different for different religions. This is intended as a science topic, not a faith topic, although the scientific issues might mainly concern the social sciences.

OK, I am not a scientist, but I am a social science type of guy!

Crashfrog writes:

Religion serves to divide the world into believers and unbelievers. In that sense, I would describe it as an influence against cohesion, a divisive influence.

I would maintain that this is an individual problem. Divisions exist only within our minds.

Ben writes:

Here's another good example of how cultural changes dictate how things may be cohesive or may be divisive: nationalism. Do you think nationalism brought a country together after 9/11? Do you think anything has changed since then? I would suggest that nationalism was a big bonding factor around 9/11, but now is turning into a divisive force. Really fast change.

Good point. 9-11 fostered an us v. them mentality. It undid any trust that the fall of communism brought about between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd worlds. As a side note, it was ironic yet interesting that George Dubya said something to the effect of nations having to make a choice of being with "us" or against "us". Jesus once said that if you were not for Him, you were against Him. Both Dubya and Christ caused division within society. The choice, however, was always left to the individual or the nation/state.

nwr writes:

And if a person makes good friends in the religious group, that makes it so much easier to accept the religion.

Friendships foster unity. Religion need not be as important as relationship.

nwr writes:

Religion has been part of the glue that binds societies together. Maybe we don't need that today, because we have radio, television, cable, the internet, rapid travel in aircraft, rock music, etc.

Does a virtual internet community mean as much in a cohesive sense as would a community such as the one truthlover lives in? This is a valid question.

This message has been edited by Phat, 10-18-2005 03:21 AM

5 online now:	PaulK, Phat, Tangle, Taq, Theodoric
Newest Member:	ChatGPT
Post Volume:	Total: 916,901 Year: 4,158/9,624 Month: 1,029/974 Week: 356/286 Day: 12/65 Hour: 0/0