Leonardo said:
And now, let's hear the other side of the argument.
RicOlie_2 said:
1. Hope: religion often provides hope in an afterlife.
There is no evidence of any existence beyond the one we're currently experimenting. If you're gonna be good, do it for the sake of it, not for some sort of reward you're going to get at the pearly gates.
Quoting Queen.... Who wants to life forever????
If one lives with the opportunity to explore something infinite, then it might not be so bad.
2. Happiness: religion and prayer have been shown to increase happiness in multiple studies.
So have done many, many opium derivatives.
Fair enough, but prayer could be considered somewhat healthier than drugs. The healthiness of religion, on the other hand, is debatable.
3. Explanation of the supernatural.
Again, no evidence whatsoever of any "supernatural".
Miracles are almost dime a dozen and the existence of God would explain them. Some of them are explained by science, some proven to be hoaxes, others have no explanation.
4. Unification: this is debatable, but in theory, if everyone followed one religion there would be a lot fewer problems in the world, depending on the religion.
And everything would be really gray and boring, which is why I'm fine with people having different ideas, opinions, and that includes religion, too. People are always going to find something to disagree on.
Life would certainly be boring if everyone agreed with each other. Sharing the same religion would not necessitate that though. I do agree with you for the most part, however.
5. Community: by sharing beliefs and meeting every so often, communities of people are formed and people have a chance to meet with people who share their beliefs.
In theory. In practice churches are a nest for gossips in fur coats.
Depends on the church of course. Such is not the case in my Church. There are many parishioners who go there on Sunday for an hour and have nothing to do with it otherwise, but those who are active in the parish are generally good friends with each other and it's a good opportunity for people of all ages and varying interests to come together.
6. It explains the origins of the universe (science does this, but it doesn't give a very satisfactory answer).
Religion will always say one thing. [Insert message here]
Science can't be and doesn't want to be definitive. Our understanding of gravity, for example, has chanced during the centuries. Because science is not a doctrine.
I don't get the "satisfactory" part.
Science is not a doctrine, and I am glad you recognize that, because some think it is. What I mean by "satisfactory" is that science has provided an explanation for the universe's origins, but the origins aren't truly explained. Belief in a creator furthers the explanation greatly. I don't mean it is necessary, but I am giving reasons why people, not necessarily myself, hold religious beliefs.
7. Religion gives life meaning and purpose in a way that cannot be without religion.
Not everything is supposed to have a meaning, I'm afraid. We, as humans, have this ingrained reaction to all the things we do not understand, and that is trying to give them an explanation, a meaning.
Meanings are meaningless. It's all in the gooey gray and white matter inside our boney skulls.
That is an opinion, and a valid one. This goes hand in hand with comfort. It is comforting to know that there is some purpose to your life, and religion is one way to achieve that comfort. Meaning is certainly not something I, personally, need, though my life would change drastically if I were not religious. I would spend nearly all my time learning, because I enjoy it, even if there was no point to my knowledge.
