when looking at humanitys needs is not a farmer worth more than a million clerics?

Question

as the planet suffers from various problems only those who supply food and water matter,but those who only offer strife and bloodshed seem to be the loudest voices heard

Answer 1

I agree

Answer 2

You're implying that clerics offer only strife and bloodshed, and farmers offer only food and water. Apparently, you have no experience with either one.

Farmers may be less controversial than clerics, but they're only human. Without religion, we may have had less bloodshed in the past, but we certainly would have had more strife. Ever heard that saying "religion is the opiate of the masses"? That wasn't a criticism; it was an observation. A belief in a higher power is what gives many people a sense of right and wrong, and makes them consider the repercussions of their actions.

Personally, I'm agnostic, as are most of the intelligent people I know (and from your comments, I'm guessing you're an atheist.) That doesn't rule out the need for religion as something to fall back on when, as you say, the planet suffers.

Answer 3

Some propose a hierarchy of needs. In such schemes, hunger, for example, is more "important" a need than safety which is more "important" than say, love or shelter. Others propose a "recipe" type model where you really need all the ingredients but you can be short some here and there and not suffer too much.

Certainly, if there is no food, clerics can't save us. Food must come first. Then defense. Then shelter. Then organization. But, some people feel that clerics serve a valid societal purpose that helps bring us together to achieve these other goals. So, good question, but I'd say if there's only room on the bus for one more, I'd bring the farmer myself.

Answer 4

The comment after your question seems to imply that clerics are the ones who offer strife and bloodshed.

I believe that "clerics" and farmers are equally important. If not -the world would be entirely like the old American West. Plenty of farmers, but no order or peace...just plenty of stealing and killing of each others' cattle, water, horses, crops, wives, and lands.

Answer 5

Technically yes, but millions of people round the world rely on religion as a backbone, wars are fought over religion, blood is lost because of it.

Religion is such an important factor to people than they would probably go hungry than not believe.

So although people who offer us the opportunity to support ourselves are important, religion will always win out, its a direction for people and something to conform to.

Some people in life are meant to be leaders, and some people are meant to be followers.

Answer 6

Amen to that!
And a scientist (who can increase crop yields, find ways to protect the environment, and truly increase humanity's knowledge) has got to be worth at least 500,000 clerics :)
But farmers win IMHO, hands down.

Answer 7

I think we would be better served by having more family farmers and fair trade world markets. I also know that religion is the most profitable industry in the world and it attracts all kinds of people.

Answer 8

is worth all the clerics in the world.

Answer 9

yup