Atheists who support religion?

Question

I'm aware that a few people can't understand logic, scientific explanations of natural phenomena, etc. There are many people who can't make appropriate choices without being told what to do. For instance, a mother of 2 at Subway this AM stormed out after becoming upset about all the options. She just couldn't handle deciding what cheese to get. Yesterday, a teenager was asking if she should have premarital sex; she couldn't spell married, virgin, etc. She seemed to exemplify the typical teen on Maury who doesn't know who the father of her child is. There are many who are only "moral" because they fear something or want a reward. There are people who--w/o a fear of eternal punishment--would relish hurting others.

Does anyone support having religion for ppl like this? (Fearful potential killers, ignorant moms, etc) Why, why not?



(Shouldn't have to spell this out but . . . I'm not saying no religious person can make appropriate decisions.)

Stayathomemom: if the ignorant teen followed a religion that told her she'd burn in hell for premarital sex, at least when she had kids my taxes wouldn't necessarily pay for them. The subway mother obviously can't make choices on her own; she would need religion to tell her that killing is wrong, or that she shouldn't eat bats. (I don't think you understood the question.)

united_states: maury is a show. comprehension of the question shouldn't be too difficult. Why are you assuming I resent anyone who's religious? I support it in many cases!

gwhiz: you're an example of what I mean. You're assuming things, and it doesn't seem you chose (or were able) to think rationally. It's not two or three people. Maybe you weren't aware that the question space is limited? The question also asked about "ppl LIKE this"? The fact that you didn't understand this makes me happy you chose religion. Left to your own vices, how would you behave?

I added the subway woman example because she had trouble deciding what Cheese she wanted! Imagine her dilemma when faced with major life issues. Someone like this needs guidelines that can tell her "okay, I shouldn't do this because this says so" since she can't think on her own.

Answer 1

I have always said that some people need religion.

Just as some people need laws.

I never needed a law to tell me not to kill.

Answer 2

Interesting thought. Since religion exists now and is anywhere from no to a great deal of help to people like this, I don't think it's a complete answer. However, where atheism works well for those that have an inate sense of "morality", it does nothing to provide a morale framework for those that have no morale clue.

I don't think atheists should be trying to "convert" believers. What is needed is an accord of tolerance between both factions. A good example of this is how Montessori schools handle it. They teach "Great Life Lessons" which include major religion's creations stories etc, and also teach the science behind evolution.

Many of the listed problems in the question could have been solve with a good education including a good set of morales from both the school, parents and surounding society.

Answer 3

There should be freedom of religion and freedom from religion!

Leave people to believe what they will as long as they do not push it at others and enshrine the right of non believers to be left alone free of the persecution visited on them by Christians.

You will not be able to get rid of religion. For a start it is deeply involved in a number of psychiatric conditions. Look at all the murderers who say they were only obeying God!

What is needed is for good Christians to speak up and curb the activities of the extremists and zealots in their midst who are self serving and fast destroying the religion they profess to be serving!

Answer 4

I am sort of an athiest, an agnostic really. Like Stephen Hawking I take a scientific approach to understanding the universe but accept that there easily may have been some creator of it all. Historically religion has been used to control people, sometimes for good reasons (as you mentioned), sometimes for bad, as in Latin America where the poor are kept docile as they are exploited and robbed by the wealthy. In studying religion, I have been impressed that all of them have many good things to say about personal honor and ethics and sacrifice. And all of them have their dark sides, too. I would actually like to see religion studied in public schools--not preached, but studied, because of its good and its bad aspects. People should be able to draw on the great ideas embodied in all the religions that have existed.

Answer 5

So ... having religion would help the mother decide on which type of cheese she likes better? Having religion would scare the kid into not having sex until she gets married, thus perhaps having an unhappy and unfufilling marriage?

I realize that's not what you're saying, and I definitely support premarital sex as long as you're mature enough to know how to spell it and realize the consequences - but I don't think we need to keep religion around just to tame the masses. I really think they just need to be better educated. And it's not all up to the schools - I think their parents need to do it. Not the schools, and definitely not the churchs - that leads to SO many problems and people who don't know wrong from right or how to even make a distinction.

Answer 6

i'm fascinated in trip trips, the greater the greater advantageous. Any day far flung from the table or production line is a robust day. What I do disapprove of is the controlling psychology of religion, it curtails freedom and denies certainty. It often wages conflict and reasons very lots of soreness and suffering, offering by using way of repayment a placed up dying reward interior the sky. i can't help any device that demands the removing of the enquiring innovations and replaces it with an obedient innovations.

Answer 7

sounds like religion wouldn't necessarily make much of a difference given the examples you've set....psychologist perhaps?

tabithap-what are you 10 with that inane remark?

shonuff-ALL people need laws! Otherwise our families would be in grave danger every moment of the day moreso than present.

Answer 8

What do you think made them that way? Religion stunts moral development, keeping people in the second of Kohlberg's 6 stages of moral development. Almost everyone is capable of making appropriate decisions, as long as they are allowed to learn the skill as a child.

Answer 9

The people you are describing sound pretty limited....emotionally, intellectually, etc...
I'm not sure that it matters whether or not they are "religious". Civil authority should be enough. I'd rather people feared going to jail than any punishment they may receive from their god.

Answer 10

I'm all for whatever makes a person loving, kind and compassionate and if religion is needed for that so be it. Peace :-)