Will future generations look back on our religious beliefs as obsolete?

Question

Science has, in the past, explained away the need for a Polytheistic belief system with gods that controlled day to day occurances such as the movements of planets, moons, weather, love, etc. Of course, the origin of the universe still had to be explained and, thus, we adopted a monotheistic belief system that explained the beginning and foresaw the end of the world. While we still do not understand the origins of the universe, scientists continue to press forward in the pursuit of the truth. in the debate over creationism vs. big bang and other non creationisn theories, will science explain away our current need for a god?

Please justify your answers with accepted scientific theory or empirical evidence supporting your religious arguement. One line answers will be given a negative rating and will not be considered.

Answer 1

It's true that, as we become more developed and sophisticated so will our methods of worship. (It always strikes me funny if I see a vicar or a pastor using the computer, for instance!)

But science is always proving us, if anything, that we always know less than we do in the first place! An example is 'dark matter'. Decades ago we thought we knew very little. Now that the universe is supposedly 80-90% dark matter, matter beyond our own perception, isn't that enough to strike fear into the heart of religion-haters? We can sense love and piety, and we have no problem with that.

Let's look into Zorasteranism, an ancient religion even still worshipped today (albeit very weakly) that easily pre-dates the three big faiths of the middle east, and perhaps even Hinduism. The topic of worship is fire, the first technology age. Now, we can look back on them and discredit their motives perhaps, but not their abilities. These people were worshipping their own invention, fire, as a Holy phenonenom. There is nothing to say that our current technology level is any more or less advanced in the pursuit of God, for we are still using it to worship, even more than ever before.

It is true that religions die, like Confusionism. But they still continue to blend in and adapt with their environment. There has always been more religious people on the planet in every part of history. Maybe that will always be so.

Another thought - during the Dark Ages, the only way to get an education was by being in the Church. Of course this is rather an outdated concept now, but it does exclaim the strong bond between science and religon, as does Islam. By any stretch of means it is fair to say that technology is the road we are walking on as we walk ever closer to God.

Answer 2

I still believe the sun is controlled by the Sun God, water by the Water God, plants and trees by the Earth God, etc.

Science may have shown how these work, but they haven't proven they weren't of the force of these Gods working together. When a star is born, so is the God of that solar system.

Let me further explain, since you don't get it... It doesn't matter what science proves about the way things work. This God has lasted over 2000 years, and it's going to take more than the explanation of the beginning of time to change the minds of future generations. An explanation for the beginning is only a small part of religion. There is much more to it than explanations. Religious beliefs offer hope (not that you can't have hope without it, but some people need religion for that), it offers comfort that loved ones are in a better place, not just 6 feet underground, it offers moral guidance (I don't think we need religion for that anymore, but apparently, some people still do), And most importantly, it offers the fear of Hell for not believing. And no matter how much technology advances, or how much knowledge we acquire, we will never have any proof or physical evidence of anything spiritual after death.

It IS possible that in the future we replace religion with something like the Buddhist religion. Which I know little about, but I do know they offer peace to the soul, without actually believing in a god. I think if the worship of a god should ever go away, then it would be replaced by something on that level... I think we will always need spiritual guidance.

Answer 3

Of course our religions will eventually be looked at in the same light as Greek mythology, tribal animism, etc. First, there's no way to prove anything with faith (by definition), so our scientific nature will likely provide more and more atheistic doubt. Many astrophysicists will now tell you they have a pretty good idea of how things started. Moreover, I'm guessing that globalization will eventually mold the different religions into a more universal belief (you know, the "I believe in a higher power but I'm not really religious").

I think that unlike Greek mythology, though, there will always be sects of fundamentalists in many of the religions.

Answer 4

If science cannot explain the universe, than how can it explain religion? Place a label on it? Sterotype it? Science is trying to refute God in order to be god. Science cannot explain the soul so therefore they refute the idea of one. (You said "Gods" I said God.) And how do you adopt a belief when it was there from the beginning? From the very first stages of civilization, religion was there before science. (Think about it...) And as far as "Evidence" Look at all the discoverys of the times gone by. (Artifacts, crumbled empires, etc.) Most discoveries of ancient civilizations produce religion before science.

Answer 5

perhaps it's a question not so much of who or what created the universe, so much as the human need to believe in an omnipotent source with which they can, personally, *connect* in order to *experience*, maximally, the true essence of existence and wisdom? ;-) btw, i hate to be the bearer of ill tidings, but theorizing, debating, arguing, etc. about such matters, and, yes, using the scientific method, especially, is what will SEPARATE you from the *experience*. therein lies the problem, especially in western hyper rational, hyper materialistic cultures. the mind separates, the ego separates, from that which is, essentially a whole. ;-)

Answer 6

Religion is based in fear. Science is based in fact.
You can't eliminate religion until you have eliminated fear, and I seriously doubt science will ever be strong enough to do that.
Fear is such a fundamental trait of humanity, it can never be overcome fully, even in the most agnostic of people.
Religion also offers something else science can't: immediate gratification - if your afraid, you can pray; there is no scientific equivalent.
As Voltaire said, "Such is the nature of man, that if there were no god, he would be inclined to imagine one."

Answer 7

I doubt it, The basis of Christainity, Jewish and Moslem religions began over 5,000 years ago. Not sure about Hindus and Buddist probably about the same time. Not likely to change anytime soon.

Answer 8

The truth is written in your heart,the'll know.When ever I hear the truth my heart accepts it.