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I see religion as being a useful counterbalance to government power. I'm a little concerned how cultish politics is getting in the US. Racism is the new origina

I see religion as being a useful counterbalance to government power. I'm a little concerned how cultish politics is getting in the US. Racism is the new original sin. You can just call anyone racist to publicly condemn them as unforgivable sinners. I was very concerned about Churches being burned down in last year's Riots, the cult of personality around Trump, and the new woke culture that sees individuals as only members of some oppressed/oppressive group. Transhumanism which I feel started with the abuse of steroids, is already upon us, and soon tech will give us the power to change and manipulate human DNA. Turns out many people don't like their bodies and would like to change them on mass. Will the changes have unforeseen consequences? Seems to me like things could go horribly wrong. The ultimate irony would be that we would end up looking like the depicted deformed and grotesque biblical demons. The obesity pandemic is already pushing many people that way. And thats probably a consequence of injesting too much plastic, and damaging hormone levels and pure gluttony. I think at its best, Religion abstracts some useful concepts like humility, guilt, responsibility, and so on, into stories and parables and makes the insignificant individual feel like their life is important and part of a grander story. It adds the practice of rituals, and adds more exposure to art, music and community and self reflection, and reduces death anxiety. And it marks significant life milestones with community celebrations. Is it better to be a realist, or is it better to add a layer of mental abstraction around reality. And feel like you are part of a (Movie) script and act accordingly.

busterarm 6y ago
There's some interesting points made here. At the very least, I think there would be an immense value to society to add to our school curricula education about liking and taking care of our bodies. Not just Health and Gym classes.
antattack 6y ago
Last thing one should want is to give religion power. People need better education, more tolerance and less judgement.
- dukeofdoom 6y ago
  But that in itself is a value judgment. You go from an "is" to an "ought" on how humans should behave. There's no logical reason why we "ought" to do any of these things. These are just a reflection of your values, and what you perceive in your mind would make the world a better place. This is the same type of religious "value" based thinking you are criticizing without realizing it. Why is "education" more important than a million other things. What if my son values playing sports more. He could easily make the argument that the world would be a better place if we played more sports. For one, less obesity. For two, more fun. We all be happier if we just played more sports. Why should I take your value judgments over my sons.
  - antattack 6y ago
    Human senses and feelings are easily fooled and influenced. Scientific method have been established to overcome our personal selection, information and unconscious biases. We need education to teach us how to learn, apply our knowledge and, most importantly, be aware of what we don't know when making decisions or forming opinions. EDIT: I don't understand why one would have to choose between sports and education.
msla 6y ago
Historically, religion and government go hand-in-hand, and use each other to reinforce their own power.

busterarm 6y ago

There's some interesting points made here. At the very least, I think there would be an immense value to society to add to our school curricula education about liking and taking care of our bodies. Not just Health and Gym classes.

antattack 6y ago

Last thing one should want is to give religion power. People need better education, more tolerance and less judgement.

dukeofdoom 6y ago
But that in itself is a value judgment. You go from an "is" to an "ought" on how humans should behave. There's no logical reason why we "ought" to do any of these things. These are just a reflection of your values, and what you perceive in your mind would make the world a better place. This is the same type of religious "value" based thinking you are criticizing without realizing it. Why is "education" more important than a million other things. What if my son values playing sports more. He could easily make the argument that the world would be a better place if we played more sports. For one, less obesity. For two, more fun. We all be happier if we just played more sports. Why should I take your value judgments over my sons.
- antattack 6y ago
  Human senses and feelings are easily fooled and influenced. Scientific method have been established to overcome our personal selection, information and unconscious biases. We need education to teach us how to learn, apply our knowledge and, most importantly, be aware of what we don't know when making decisions or forming opinions. EDIT: I don't understand why one would have to choose between sports and education.

msla 6y ago

Historically, religion and government go hand-in-hand, and use each other to reinforce their own power.