"A religion is a source of happiness and I would not deprive anyone of happiness. But it is a comfort appropriate for the weak, not for the strong--and you are strong. The great trouble with religion--any religion--is that the religionist, having accepted certain propositions by faith, cannot thereafter judge these propositions by evidence. One may bask at the warm fire of faith or choose to live in the bleak uncertainty of reason--but one cannot have both." Robert Anson Heinlein
2007-09-30 13:58:48 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion is a just drug for emotional comfort.
2007-09-30 14:02:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
As an atheist, I essentially agree. My only bone of contention is that Heinlein makes it sound like it's a choice, one way or the other. That's certainly not the case with me. I'm an atheist and there's nothing whatever I can do about it, simply because I can't force myself to accept superstition as if it were a fact. I am completely unable to rationalize that the utterly impossible is a factual truth. I'd rather be a social pariah who actually understands how the real world operates, than a hypocrite who embraces an outright lie to earn the respect of a million ignorant fools.
2007-09-30 14:10:10 · answer #2 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My favorite part of that quote is "the bleak uncertainty of reason" Man once called the earth flat and rejected all proof. Just as atheists reject miracles as proof of God. I believe that atheism requires just as much faith as those who believe in God. I also think happiness is the wrong word. I have never known anyone to be happy all the time. To me happy is a fleeting mood. Instead to me I have an inner peace that helps me through the tough and painful times that everyone has to endure at some point in their life. Also I disagree with the insinuation that those with religion are weak and for the weak and that those who reject it are strong. Look at what Joan of Arc accomplished because of her religion. Everyone has faith in something whether it is themselves, money, or a god and to me that is there religion.
2007-09-30 14:08:01 · answer #3 · answered by linnea13 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I suppose I do agree with him. For a Christian recognizes he needs help and asks God for it. This is because a lot of the circumstances he faces in life are meshed in uncertainty for which reason may be a good temporary life jacket only to keep him afloat. Whereas God is a lighthouse and a strong boat and if necessary will allow a person to walk on water through the most tempestuous of times.
2007-09-30 14:09:07 · answer #4 · answered by Uncle Remus 54 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I agree you mostly get dumb statements like “entropy disproves evolution” showing who ever got here up with that at perfect did intense college technology and specific failed, and whoever repeats it possibly can no longer make a jigsaw...... that is against entropy in accordance to their dumb *** information. Evolution is a reality and the only place they are able to cover from that's of their own stupidity.
2016-11-06 21:34:50 · answer #5 · answered by clapper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say that reason is either bleak or uncertain. Faith may have it's comforts, but to an objective, analytical mind, the contortions you go through to believe are a wearisome burden.
2007-09-30 14:09:22 · answer #6 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not a question but wonderful...sometimes I wish I could go back to that fire...but then I see the cruelty of those flames and I'd rather be in the "bleak uncertainty of reason" But that's just me...
2007-09-30 14:04:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."
Thomas Jefferson
I think that is only applied to fools and not scholars nor thinking men.
God bless.
2007-09-30 14:07:41 · answer #8 · answered by Wolfie 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good, but maybe it should read 'religious folk' rather than 'Christians'. Incidentally, did you know Heinlein was buddies with L Ron Hubbard (Scientology's founder?) Make of that what you will. (I am definitely not a fan of Scientology.)
2007-09-30 14:12:23 · answer #9 · answered by Citizen Justin 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The 'comfort' kept burning me so I found other ways to keep warm and still allow myself to be as reasonable as possible (for me :-) )
2007-09-30 14:12:05 · answer #10 · answered by strpenta 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋