Are religions early attempts to make sense of our place in the Universe? Now that we have modern science, will these religions die out given enough time? Is it okay to to distort your view of reality through religion even if it's not truth if that distortion of reality results in happiness and more productivity?
2006-08-29 09:04:17 · 17 answers · asked by aaron g 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God knows the story, and he tells us thru the Bible.
The age of enlightenment has spawned wars, racism and just as much death and destruction as any other reason pick up a club and beat someone else.
Maybe, -as the Bible sez, - the common denominator is mankind??
BTW... current science tries to make sense of the universe also. But they over extend themselves and conclude as 'fact' that the universe is billions of years old. Of course they base this on ASSUMPTIONS, -alot of them, and if any one of them turn out to be wrong, they'd have to throw out their whole conclusions. Scientists treat as FACT..
1. The nature of gravity is consistent persistent throughout the universe.
2. Speed of light is constant.
3. The universe had a starting point, and it appears to be expanding, judging the distance, we can estimate how long ago the starting point was.
4. Nature of the earth, ie rain, errosion, atmosphere, continental drift is pretty much the same as it ever was.
4. and a whole lot more.
Of course if any of these things are mistaken, - then they'd have to throw out all their conclusions and start from scratch.
2006-08-29 09:09:25 · answer #1 · answered by MK6 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. The easiest way to deal with chaos is to be be swept away by it. Unfortunately this happens to many people.
Religion does make sense out of a seeming chaotic world but most religions are not easy. You have to work at them. They require study, discipline, and sacrifice.
I don't think religion will ever die out. Modern science will never answer the questions that religion can, like:
- Why am I here?
- What is my purpose in life?
It is never okay to distort the truth (lie). All religions preach this.
But there is much more to life (reality) than scientific facts.
There is (are?) courage, purity, self-control, diligence, generosity, peace, kindness, and humility.
There is faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.
With love in Christ.
2006-09-04 14:03:53 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion, at its best, can comfort and inspire, but this service comes with a price tag. It is a lens that distorts--sometimes by making things rosier than they are (belief in a posthumous paradise), other times by making them look uglier than they are (anyone who doesn't believe as you do is evil). Yes, religion is man's early attempts to make sense of the universe. Yes, all religions will eventually give way to reason and common sense. The human species will grow up. Is it okay to distort your view of reality if that distortion is pleasing? Not if you are truly interested in knowing the truth.
Can we handle the truth?
Humanists say, yes, we can. Religion is a fantasy humans don't need. And reality isn't as bleak as some seem to fear. In any case, I'd always prefer reality to the most gentle, heart-warming fantasy.
2006-08-29 09:13:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think Christianity has ever been considered the easiest way. Given the persecution of Christians (being thrown into hungry lions, being rolled or dipped in pitch and tied to poles and lit on fire, being banned from entire regions of the world, even today there are places where people are dieing because they refuse to denounce their faith in Jesus Christ. The two Fox News reporters that were kidnapped were forced at the point of a gun to do exactly that and claim Allah as the one and only true God.)
We don't face much of that here in America, but we do face secular condemnation to the point that people incorrectly quote scripture to us and then accuse us of being hypocrites because we're not living up to their interpretation of what they quoted. Easy? It doesn't have anything to do with ease, either of living the identity or of applying its tenets to our lives.
I recommend you read a book written a few years ago by Josh McDowell called "More Than a Carpenter" This gives great examples in history as well as in current affairs to demonstrate the validity of Christ as a miraculous anomaly in the progress of world society.
Distortion is never okay, in any form or anyplace other than in circumstances like pointing a rapist to his intended victim. In that place you would use whatever means necessary to protect the innocent. My favorite quote is from Dennis Prager who hosts a radio program out of Los Angeles. His motto for his show is; 'Clarity is better than agreement.' This means, 'we may not agree but if we understand one another's perspectives at least we can acknowledge that you have reasons for your beliefs.'
Happiness isn't the ultimate goal, although it is a benefit of what is the goal. The goal is to know the truth. If you doubt the teachings of your religion, you need to look around and find out why. If things aren't right, then you need to go where things are. Using this criteria, I have come to the saving knowledge of God. He loves me, He has provided the way that I might regain relationship with Him, and this is what I was made for, so my life has vastly improved since aligning my will with His.
http://judgeright.blogspot.com
2006-08-29 09:27:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No religions will never die out because we all need to have faith in something whether it be science or God or whoever. In times of despair it helps you to have that moment of peace when you talk to your god. I myself am a Christian but i also think that is a personal choice and should never be forced upon anyone. When humanity first started most religions were of nature and the stars. You prayed for a good hunt or for a good harvest. So over the years religions have changed like take my religion it took God showing himself and sending prophets out to spread his word plus he sent his son to die so that i may live and have my sins washed away. In a way it gives us peace thinking that there is a higher power and that once we die we will understand everything if we have lived a good life and we will be reunited with loved ones. So in that sense yes it gives me happiness.
2006-08-29 09:17:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
specific, he did! And the Hebrew, Jewish u . s . ones you're bearing on, stayed interior the OT. have you ever asked your self: Why did Jesus consistently consult with God as "His Father" as adversarial to utilising the YHWH tetragrammaton? (which, by utilising-the-way, has no place interior the Greek NT) it is because of the fact once you deliver the tetragrammaton into the NT, you imprecise the id of who Jesus Christ is. interior the NT there's a transformation of covenants, and a gratifying of OT provides you. Now, fairly of the blood of goats, and lambs, we mindset to God by utilising a clean and residing way. and due to this God places such an emphasis on his Son for salvation. Now, they are noted as 'witnesses' for CHRIST. Mark sixteen:17;Acts a million:8. "it is the stone which grow to be set at nought of you developers, it is grow to be the top of the corner. Nether is there salvation in the different: for there isn't any different call below heaven given between adult men, wherein we must be stored." Acts 4:11-12. And that call is Jesus, no longer the tetragrammaton.
2016-10-01 01:30:52 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is but one means. It is best to practice a religion that is right for you, as well as partaking in the knowledge of Science, Philosophy, and Arts and Humanities to understand the world.
2006-09-05 11:05:12 · answer #7 · answered by Ana 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably so, but religion is defiantly the worst way to make sense of a seemingly chaotic world.
2006-09-04 14:42:04 · answer #8 · answered by jsjmlj 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. It is a manifestation of people's insecurity. Their need for sanctuary in a dangerous world. Religions are fairy tales for adults - they provide comfort where evil is banished and everyone lives happily ever after. Totally unrealistic and deluded.
2006-08-29 09:14:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only thing modern science's quest has proven is that nothing can be proven. there is no "easiest way" and the pursuit of "sense" makes no sense.
rather than seeking the know, seek the mystery.
you will feel so "in place" that the question you pose will not ever come to mind.
2006-08-29 09:09:11 · answer #10 · answered by ỉη ץ٥ڵ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋