S2M wrote:I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I suggest you religious types brush up on your Divine Command Theory.
S2M wrote:Actually, again....please take a course on logic, and better yet - read up on Epistemology...the logic of truth and knowledge. You need to be schooled on just what counts as knowledge. Saying, 'The yankees are going to win tonight, I just know it' - is not knowledge. EVEN IF THE YANKEES DO, INDEED, WIN...
I feel the problem with these types of topics is they usually become competitive debates rather than productive, two-way discussions. It's a great subject and definitely worth talking about, but the only way to make it productive is to keep it in the context of a common goal. I think the common goal of any idea-related discussion is to offer or gain knowledge or insight that can lead to the improvement and betterment of one's life, or life experience. The more open to the other perspectives people are, they more they stand to benefit.
Me, I try to come into any conversation with the realization that I could be wrong, because I can't completely eliminate the subjectivity in my beliefs or opinions. With religion especially, subjective opinion is incredibly high, which makes the discussion so prone to getting heated. Religion usually ties into beliefs about one's eternal destiny, so people on both sides have a lot of emotional investment in their own points of view. What if the Christian is wrong about Jesus? What about the Atheist or Agnostic? I still think religion can be discussed productively as long as plenty of care is taken with the common goal. Can it be achieved, or if not, could it actually do the opposite and cause damage? If so, then what is the point?
This is just my assumption based on your statement above and past discussions. You indicate that people in general would benefit from knowledge which leads to the abandonment of religion altogether, and it makes absolute, perfect sense to you and many people. But nowhere close to everyone, because the greater majority of people believe in a God, creator, whatever. We are all wired differently, and find fulfillment in different ways. I think this is biological, and there is little that can be done about it. I think (theoretically, anyway) everyone wants to find fulfillment and contentment in life. People want to be happy, or happier. Some people get the most contentment in life from factual knowledge, while some find it in life experience, building relationships with others, whatever. Some pursue education and degrees, while others focus on raising a family, traveling and exploring, athletic accomplishments, or building a connection to a higher power.
For people who find contentment and fulfillment in religion, whose beliefs and faith in God have made them better people, abandoning that would be like cutting out their heart. All the knowledge in the world can’t replace that. If I was a person who had found contentment and fulfillment in religion, but the truth was God didn’t really exist, I can promise you I’d rather live the lie and be happy than enlightened and miserable.
I’d go back in a heartbeat if I could, but I don’t see that ever happening because it would take more than just faith at this point. For me to return to faith, I would either have to be wired differently, or God would need to be real and capable of effecting real change in me. I certainly can’t imagine how I could have “believed” any harder than I did. Losing faith in “faith” wasn’t a conscious and willful decision. It was an extremely scary and confusing process, and the most painful thing I’d ever gone thru. If there is one thing I’ve learned in life which has helped me, it’s that trying to force yourself into a mold you don’t naturally fit into is not only uncomfortable, it can pretty damaging over time. I don’t believe highly analytical people like you and I seem to be are the best suited for faith, because when things stop stacking up over a long period of time, we’re the ones who seem to notice and get troubled about it.
Am I a happier person than I was before? It depends... I think I'm healthier than before, and I don't wrestle with the same self-doubt and torment. I've learned to value my biological life much more than I did when I believed death was only the next step to a much better eternity. I've learned to value the differences in other people much more than I ever had before. Abandoning concepts of destiny or that anything is "planned" or layed out for me by a divine being has made me much more active in the choices that I make. I don't have to hesitate waiting for answers or signs that often conflicted or caused me to doubt my gut and take a wrong path on so many occasions. I also recognize my gut instincts and motivations for what
they are, instead of interpreting them as nudges from an indwelling holy spirit pushing me to act (often mistakenly). And the pursuit of knowledge has been exciting. Nothing has really changed there, because I only cared about knowing truth before and am still pursuing it wherever it leads me.
Anyway, the point is this. Faith works for some people, and brings them happiness and contentment. I’m sincerely happy for them, and envious. For some, faith doesn’t work, even after their best and most sincere efforts. People who are suffering in religion might very well improve their lives by letting go, but otherwise, I don’t see any reason or benefit from doing so. I know a lot of miserable, conflicted Christians, but I know a few happy ones as well, and who knows... maybe they are the ones who get the last laugh?