I've got to say, I've been in turmoil over religion recently. I'm an atheist, raised Christian, in a family which is still predominantly Christian. I'm not in turmoil because of anything someone is doing, it's because I'm trying to rationalize why religion exists and why people are so touchy on the subject, and what affect does it have on the world. Would it be a better place without religion? I've come to the following conclusion: Religion has no place in society, not anymore.
Once upon a time, when people were, for the most part, still unruly animals and had no morals or understanding of nature, religion was needed to teach morality and ethics, as well as provide answers to what is nature. That's why the Bible is mostly stories which make you feel good and teach you to be moral (David vs. Goliath = anyone has the power to overcome tyranny and everyone has strength...Noah's Ark = Don't spread immorality, or God will take it personally and end you...etc, etc, etc.). Problems occur when people start taking these stories and making them out to be real life (Grand Canyon = Noah's Ark's trail? Creationism?).
In current times, we have politically powerful people who are deeply religious, and are taking advantage of their power to enforce their morals (a big no-no)...(I'm looking at you, Bush, with your screening of scientific papers and constant oppression of stem-cell research)...Also in current times, anyone with half a mind has ethical morals. Some studies even suggest that morality is an evolved trait (and I can agree and see the correlation). In Africa, where there is still a strong Catholic teaching, condoms are condemned, as are all types of sexual protection, which spreads the HIV innumerably, and needlessly. Do I really need to go into detail about the problems in the middle east, all for the name of Islam? I don't see any physical need for religion in society.
But I do believe that there is a need on an individual level for some sort of spirituality. Every time I hear someone chime in saying that beyond any doubt God does or doesn't exists, I believe they've made an error. The question of God is a philosophical one, not one which can be proven or disproved by science (at least that's what I think). Whether to allow a god to exists in you life or not is a decision everyone must make for themselves, according to their philosophy. God can be anything you define (and this is coming from an atheist). There is, in essence, nothing wrong with believing in a God; in fact, it can lead to many beautiful things, such as art, music, and spirituality. The problems occur when people try to make one God universal (that is, apply to everyone within a religion), or when they try to dictate what that God wants in human terms (such as the Bible or the Qu'ran), or when they try to shove their God (or words of God) into the public sector.
I try to be in the middle, both condoning religion and opposing it. Maybe I try because I know so many Christians who are just good people, and their lives are made happier by the belief God. But in my internal voice, I can't stand it, and I can't understand why someone would believe so much in something intangible. That's why I'm so tormented.
Infinite_Loser
Quote:
|
The difference between you and I is that I know God exists while you believe He doesn't exist. Of course, for every day that passes in which you are unable to disprove God's existence you only strengthen my faith that He does exist.
|
How do you know God exists? Show me God, or prove his existence. If you can't, then realize that, at most, you believe he does exist. But just because you can't show me God or proof of its existence doesn't mean I know it doesn't exist. This is the same argument which always comes up, and you know that if you've ever been in or seen a religious debate (I'm sure you have), and it's because it's the only argument which can be made, aside from the Flying Spaghetti Monster argument.