When people reduce the world's problems/joys to the lack/abundance of religion/lack thereof?
Take the often made comments about Intelligence and Religion. Or the Causation of War/Conflict.
To claim one bit of phenomena as _the_ deciding factor in all aspects of life seems rather strange.
To clear up my language (hopefully) I sometimes feel that people ascribe too much to the question of religion (Whether it be positive or negative) to the detriment of considering factors such as Economics, Psychology, Politics, heck something as simple as Resource Scarcity.
Are we a biased sample precisely because we hang out on the R&S board, are intersted in the questions regarding religion thereby magnifying (exaggerating) its effects onto all social phenomena?
What do you all think?
2007-10-19 07:50:15 · 8 answers · asked by D.Chen 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
YY - I'm confused. So are you claiming Religion is _the_ critical factor that trumps the other social science concerns brought up?
2007-10-19 09:16:08 · update #1
Oh and also - do you think we're a bad sampling when we make assertions either for or against religion because of our focus on it?
2007-10-19 09:32:14 · update #2
I too doubt that it has as great of an effect as many would choose to believe because most humans are apathetic at best when it come to beliefs. However, it is interesting that most world leaders do demonize our enemy prior to the final act of declaring war. It's as if they know that this provide a great deal of cover and momentum for their decision for warfare.
2007-10-19 07:58:09 · answer #1 · answered by Old guy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some religions teach obedience to authority, which makes people more easily controlled by those in power, whether religious or political "leaders." Some of these same religions also teach that everything pleasurable is a "sin," even when no one is harmed by indulging in said pleasures. Basic drives are powerful and, if denied, can create a tension that can be used by "leaders" to provoke violence against those who threaten their power. Another aspect of some religions -- that everyone is an "unworthy sinner" -- can make people eager to gain the approval of a leader or "god," which can also be used by a "leader" to manipulate followers to be violent, intolerant, prejudiced, etc., which then makes the "leader" even more powerful.
Every society that moves from freedom to repression "demonizes" intellectuals because they're not easily controlled, and will sound the alarm when they see their rights being taken away.
If that sounds biased, just look at history (such as Nazi Germany), and the current anti-intellectual bias and weakening of the constitutional separation of church and state in the U.S. since the Bush regime took power.
2007-10-19 08:58:42 · answer #2 · answered by YY4Me 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are we a biased sample? Probably. Do we oversimplify? Definitely. But there's no real way for Y!A to take the place of a good discussion. This is Q&A at best. I don't take this as the end all... does anyone else?
2007-10-19 07:55:25 · answer #3 · answered by average person Violated 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I doubt a single atheist who frequents these rooms would say that religion is the cause of ALL of the world problems.
2007-10-19 07:53:04 · answer #4 · answered by Leviathan 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In many cases - yes. I am reminded of that statement: 'To every problem there is a solution, neat, simple, plausible, ... oh! and wrong!'
2007-10-19 07:55:15 · answer #5 · answered by Freethinking Liberal 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Good insight.
2007-10-19 07:56:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think . It gives me a headache .
2007-10-19 07:56:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think: yep.
2007-10-19 07:53:50 · answer #8 · answered by Acorn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋