All religions are just memes - cultural viruses that take over gullible minds.?

Question

The belief that all religions are parasites of the mind is known as the 'meme theory' of religion, and has recently been gaining ground among anthropologists and sociologists. The theory states that memes perform two types of actions:

(1) Take control of their victims' minds.
(2) Encourage their victims to spread the meme to others.

Answer 1

Well yes, if you want to draw an analogy to computers, they do both of those things. You could say the same thing about political parties as well. The more I think about it, it holds very true for most religions.

Some religions however are a lot more aggressive with their proselytizing and desire to take over the world. Others, like Buddhism and Hinduism, are more content to enlighten people one soul at a time.

So, have you developed a new antivirus that will free people's minds from unwanted adware and spyware?

Answer 2

I believe you are using the word "theory" when you should be using the word "hypothesis". Hypothesis are ideas that are not yet established by testing; theorems are proved hypothesis.

The "cultural virus" hypothesis would suggest that all minds accepting the existence of God, are somehow feeble and incapable of rational/discriminating thought. History has shown otherwise! Look at the greatest minds that human history has produced: Aristotle, Socrates, Paul the Apostle, Luke the Historian, Martin Luther, Thomas Aquinas, CS Lewis, Deitricht Bonhoffer, JRR Tolkein, etc etc etc. All of these men were great thinkers, philosophers, etc. and all accepted the idea that there was more to life, than what their eyes could see! Believing in God did not detract from these men's ability to think, or make them somehow "more gullible" to other ideas.

Religion, any religion, is really just a formalized attempt on Man's part (using "man" as a generic, includes females as well) to relate to God. Humans seek relationships, and the desire to relate to the Source of Life is the ultimate expression of that search.

To call all religions "memes" is just another way of calling it "the opiate of the masses". Lenin would be proud. We can all see how well his social system (communism) worked!

Discounting any religious system, whether you call it a virus or a drug, does not disprove the existance of God.

Ad Hominem!

Answer 3

If I were to receive the concept and postulates prima facia, then I could also re-apply this exact formula to any condition that may be considered ideological.

For example, the British government of the 1600's and 1700's could claim that the concepts of a self-ruled Republic were a 'meme theory'. That would have given them an aire of medical superiority in their attempts to quash the rebelling colonies, including the U.S.

If you study the scientific precepts behind anthropology and sociology, you would find that a current premise is that man is one of if not the highest life form, a religion also referred to as secular humanism.

Before you can use someone else's arguments, there should be some form of identifiable objectivity, otherwise you are merely playing the game of he said - she said. People of faith could equally respond with Biblical quotes showing that those who believed there is no God are "blinded in their sin" or "given over to a debased mind", which although they are sound Biblical concepts, without some form of objective testing (which neither side can produce), are no more than hurtful comments.

Answer 4

Actually, any religion's role in society is to help build a moral fiber by telling people what is right and what is wrong as per dictates of society.

Without any form of religion, there would be chaos, no guilt and no thinking about actions that would affect other people.

But it is also true and I believe the meme theory. I am a Roman Catholic and all i see are people going to church, not because they wanted to, but because they needed to. Faith is more of believing rather than being swept towards it because everyone else is doing it.

Logically, when a catholic priest says "God in is everything we see". Why then do I have to go to mass every single day of the year, well in fact, I could be anywhere and pray to God, simply because God is everywhere.

When I encounter people of different faith, I would never want them to cross over to mine just because i thought my religion was better. For me, as long as I see that a religion is doing a great job of forming character in a person. Then let it be...

Answer 5

okay, u hav a point BUT!!!

in referance to christianity and islam,

1) relegion helps people to live by rules in a community.
2) people obey the church or similar institutions to live and let live.
3) those who are weak ARE HELPED by religion.
4) many thing are done for the poor and helpless.
5) why do they belive and make others join??? i will tell you. because human beings hav evolved apart from animals, and formed societies... you might think humans are solitute creatures... but an ancestor Erectus was the last ape who was solitude but when neaderthans andcromagnan appeared they developed a new staregy for suvival, COMPASION!
6) of course i dont belive god exists BUT it is better to say that ibelive to be accepted by the larger community and hav a great life.
7) everyone likes me because i go to church. and when iam in side the church something inside me tends to belive in god..

ruben!!

Answer 6

I'll bet when this conflict is resolved, and religion is extinct, the world, actually all the universe/s, will be better off.

Answer 7

If they are willing are they victums?

I guess any person who sways anothers thinking is a parasite inspriation.

Answer 8

Break the spell!!! Learn to think for your self, and don't plagiarize a book you read.

Answer 9

OH BOY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I SEE W'ERE HAVING ANOTHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT IN..........
AND
another 'BRANIAC' question??
Can't wait for the next one. I'm gonna go make pop-corn; this should be a funny show!!

Answer 10

You must be crazy for it..