is religion just anesthesia for dealing with society and mortality?

Answer 1

Mortality especially. I asked a question once theorizing how the our world could have started and somebody asked what it explained for me. I don't need it to explain anything for me because I'm okay with not knowing. The religious nutter-butters will never admit to you that the reason they are religious is becuase they need it to feel good about them selves, no matter how obvious it is. There's a reason why recovering addicts tend to "discover" religion.

Answer 2

An anesthesia makes you feel numb and indifferent to your surroundings. On the other hand, a true religion or a particular faith should enhance your awareness to what's like to be in this mortal life, at the same time, it should make you feel more TOLERANT to the shortcomings of society in general. Peace!! Brothers and Sisters.

Answer 3

Religion is the greatest instrument to establish unity among mankind.

"And among the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh is that religion is a mighty bulwark. If the edifice of religion shakes and totters, commotion and chaos will ensue and the order of things will be utterly upset, for in the world of mankind there are two safeguards that protect man from wrongdoing. One is the law which punishes the criminal; but the law prevents only the manifest crime and not the concealed sin; whereas the ideal safeguard, namely, the religion of God, prevents both the manifest and the concealed crime, trains man, educates morals, compels the adoption of virtues and is the all-inclusive power which guarantees the felicity of the world of mankind. But by religion is meant that which is ascertained by investigation and not that which is based on mere imitation, the foundation of divine religions and not human imitations."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 30)

To seek more divine guidance about true religion, you can read the Holy Books at Gutenberg Project.

Answer 4

A rational animal, man having been endowed with intelligence and imagination among other things by the Nature can do any thing due to natural instincts. But because of rationality, it behaves within restraints and constraints. The restraints are self-imposed and at times external limitations by law, social discipline, ethical codes etc. But voluntarily accepted restraints are the values, the morality, and internal discipline. The religion at best is a combination of some of the points discussed above. But in the name of religion, justifying violence, terrorism, intolerance and superstitions is only a scape goat to satisfy ones ego by exploiting the ignorance of others.

Answer 5

For some, maybe.

The main goal of religion should be (using the beliefs and practices of that religion) to *transform* the mind though.

If the religion is practiced correctly, it should have just the opposite effect as anesthesia would. The world is clearer (in fact, in Buddhism 'nirvana' is also called 'clear mind').

Answer 6

no its just the way people solved the mysteries of society and mortality. basic religion developed before people were even really intelligent enough to think about those things

its only now being used to say that religious people are weak when most people are afraid of death no matter whether they are religious or not, so its obviously another reason

Answer 7

I wouldn't call it my anesthesia...I'd call it my anti-depressant.

I get really sad sometimes when people don't believe, first because I think they will get a rude awakening at the end of the world, and second, because it leads to such destructive behavior.

And, you know what? You have the free will to not believe, even to laugh, but God and Jesus really do care about you. I've never seen the air that I breathe, but like God, I'm really glad it's there.

Answer 8

yes, but religion is so much more than that. it's a way of life too.

Answer 9

Totally. Wouldn't it be EASIER to have a belief in something bigger than yourself?

Answer 10

it gives people a sense of structure............some people really need that.......i'm the opposite....can't stand the confinement of being structured...