(June 21, 2014 at 4:40 pm)Arthur123 Wrote: Understood. Well, on this front religion can give people hope and a purpose that may otherwise not have any. Let's say the world was going to end tomorrow and only the government knew. I could see morally permissible reasons for them withholding information in this case

That's a reasonable debate to have though I find it hard to justify supporting the spread of delusion, at the gain of some superficial sense of comfort, when the cost also involves so much fear, guilt, and constricting ideologies about human progress, health, and well-being.

I agree. What if it was restricted to an afterlife and focus on moral virtues? Some sects of religion embrace this more than others

(June 21, 2014 at 4:48 pm)Arthur123 Wrote: I agree. What if it was restricted to an afterlife and focus on moral virtues? Some sects of religion embrace this more than others

So long as one doesn't trade-in or distract themselves in any way from this life by focusing on an imaginary one, then I don't see the problem with holding out for something after death, though it seems completely irreconcilable with common sense (does all life continue after death? Harmful viruses and bacteria too?)

Well I suppose it depends on what you believe happens after you die! How about someone on death row or dying of an infectious disease? Is it than okay that religion distracts them from this world?

(June 21, 2014 at 4:57 pm)Arthur123 Wrote: Well I suppose it depends on what you believe happens after you die! How about someone on death row or dying of an infectious disease? Is it than okay that religion distracts them from this world?

Like I said, so long as it doesn't diminish what they're able to do with their time left here, that their actions or words aren't spent constructing an imaginary world centered only around themselves, then I don't see what harm it could bring. But what a shining example of courage and dignity for a person to accept the grim truth of this reality and still further seek to improve it for those who will follow after them!

Absolutely.

(June 21, 2014 at 4:29 pm)Arthur123 Wrote: Religion shouldn't vanish because people have a right to hold onto their beliefs even if they are wrong.

But, religions should vanish when they no longer serve a purpose. Take Christmas as an example. 'Peace on Earth, good will to men'. Santa proclaims this, not Jesus. Which is a superior moral teacher?

People can believe anything they wish; however, this says absolutely nothing about their justification for belief. Without justification I don't have to take seriously the belief or the dictums that follow.

The most damning consideration you must face is the fact that the world operates the same when you remove consideration for your God.