For those with short attention span: I'm basically asking if it is possible to keep a low level of "disbelief," or will religions just keep resurfacing?
Long attention Span: Usually the secularist point of view holds that these Bronze Age myths of Christianity and such persist due to their prolongues history and astounding numerical influence. The goal becomes to free their members of such delusion, thus substracting from their numbers. However, with the recent rise of Paganism, Wicca, and Scientology we can see how easily this nonsence can breed. Does it then follow that freeing the world from religion is impossible? For further clarification, I know that eradicating religion entirely is impossible, but is it possible that it becomes cyclical as new generations come into birth and new beliefs arise/re-rise?
2007-01-03 01:30:13 · 17 answers · asked by Alucard 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I suspect that some form of religion will be with us for a long, long time because it seems to me that this "need" for religion is tied to our most basic survival instinct. And since we are able to abstract our thoughts, we hope to survive even death.
Thus - Religion becomes necessary.
2007-01-03 01:43:36 · answer #1 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can't you see, your very question is saturated with your real religion, the belief that there is no absolute and ultimate God? The belief that any "god" somebody makes up is only in their own head? The fact that your "secularist point of view" is as much a religion as any other?
What if, on the other hand, another religion besides your own actually described the truth? What if Christianity was actually true? Since it conflicts with your religion, you (or people less charitable than yourself) may try to supress it, as is happening today and as has happened through much of Christian history. But what if the Bronze age myth actually turned out to be more true than your enlightenment-age myth? Might it just be possible?
2007-01-03 01:38:34 · answer #2 · answered by Gary B 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Of course religion will keep resurfacing. Especially in the case of Scientology, a "religion" created to be a business scam, people will always find a way to cling to something even if it's out to hurt them.
2007-01-03 06:29:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excuse me, Wicca and Paganism are entirely peaceful religions that do not try to attract or recruit new members and are based around the belief that Nature is Divine. If you think that the rise of new-old religions that actually want to work towards peace and saving the planet - as in literally preventing the destruction of our ONLY planet - is nonsense, then I pity you.
Crawl back under your rock.
)O(
2007-01-03 01:46:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
i think there is a difference between a new age religion such as Wicca that has taken the beliefs of old and brought them back to life a little
and a religion that is nothing but a sci fi novel
and those within the Wiccan religion care deeply for the earth and those on it
i welcome this kind of religion any day and i hope many more are seen in the future
2007-01-03 01:33:55 · answer #5 · answered by Peace 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Those aren't really religions- they are more of beliefs. They don't have like religious doctrine. I think people will always want beliefs because it's comforting to think that there's something guiding us. And yeah I guess scientology is a religion but it doesn't count cuz it's made up!
2007-01-03 01:41:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last time I checked everyone has the freedom of religion they are able to believe as they wish... It simply amazes me how people are so intolerable of there fellow human being. If someone is not pushing there beliefs on you why do you honestly care? If you are secure in your religion so much then it shouldn't worry you about others beliefs.. But I feel to criticize and to call another religion nonsense is ignorant of you.
2007-01-03 01:34:47 · answer #7 · answered by Issym 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, the persistence of religion is mainly due to the indoctrination of children. This seems less common among Pagans than it is among Christians, Muslims, et cetera. So personally I don't see Paganism as a threat to secularism.
2007-01-03 01:40:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not the religions so much that are to blame for the negative conotations of society. It is the people misusing the doctrines God gave them. And either coming up with their own take or making up one all together. Anytime someone tries to play God, there is problems because we are all naturally flawed. Many blessings to you.
2007-01-03 01:36:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
We will always have some form of religion because most people seem to need to believe in something "more" than what is here on earth. I myself do not.
2007-01-03 01:34:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋