Religion: pros & cons (Religion)

by dhw, Sunday, September 14, 2014, 13:45 (3506 days ago)
edited by dhw, Sunday, September 14, 2014, 13:57

I'm following with interest the discussion between David and Tony on their respective religious views. Unfortunately, it has taken over the thread on "An Inventive Mechanism", though they might find it a welcome diversion. Tony's latest post under "Evolution v Creationism" finishes up doing the same, so perhaps we could shift the whole topic to this thread.-Dhw (under "Evolution v Creationism"): An alternative would be that the ultimate purpose is to relieve God's boredom with an ongoing entertainment. That too constitutes perfect sense.-TONY: This only makes sense if you view God as the bully that pulls the wings off flies or puts ants under the magnifying glass.-Or sends down a meteor to kill off the dinosaurs and a few other lovingly made species.-TONY: Assuming that entertainment was part of the purpose (which I do not agree with, at least not as you state it here), why would god take such pains to make sure everything was so perfectly balanced, so harmonious, only to destroy it? If that were all he was interested in, why not simply make temporary planets and temporary creatures and then invent new ways to kill them off?-Even our own planet is temporary, and your God did make temporary creatures, and your insistence on his purpose suggests he did invent new ways to kill them off - though your expression was “they were allowed to die off” - thanks to his control of the environment (see my post under "Evolution v Creationism"). Why create such perfectly balanced harmony for the dinosaurs to rule the earth for 160 million years, and then kill them off, when with his almighty powers he could simply have prepared the environment for us humans and our needs? You will say he had a purpose. Others will say it shows a lack of purpose. I am not championing any particularly theory. I don't even know if God exists, and I certainly don't confine entertainment to horror stories. Maybe God, like humans, enjoys a mixed bag of love, heroism, adventure, comedy, tragedy etc. I am simply pointing out that all the theories can be made to fit the facts. The rest is a matter of faith.
 
However, you go on to claim that generally - I appreciate this is not personal - recognition of God's purpose stops people from harming themselves and others with their self-centredness (a paraphrase), and you tell us to watch the news. I do, and am horrified at the sectarian violence that is tearing whole countries apart. Not God's fault, but it simply demonstrates that "an obligation to learn and understand that purpose, and then to fulfill our part in it" is not quite what you crack it up to be. Religion brings comfort, security, and sometimes admirable morality and charity into many people's lives. It also tears communities apart and leads to appalling cruelty. And what people claim to be the Word of God can be used to justify the best and the most evil acts humans are capable of. Humans can lead moral lives without God, because there is enormous satisfaction and happiness to be gained from doing as you would be done by. Love and empathy are not confined to the religious. And I'm sorry to say, self-centredness is not confined to the irreligious.