RE: Do you think that one day religion will become a thing of the past
December 13, 2015 at 11:17 pm
I find it unlikely that religion will ever completely die out. First because it does serve a positive purpose for some in that it provides a sense of community and belonging, it helps alleviate some stresses about death and the indifference of a large impersonal universe, things like that. In talking to theists I find that many have a hard time grasping an indifferent universe or the finality of death. They want to live in a just universe, they want to matter. So they hang onto belief for this, and it comforts them. Second because some people like to think that they have knowledge that others don't. Remember conspiracy theories and flat earthers are still a thing.
As to the second question, I don't know. Religion has been part of society for so long that it's hard to really think. But let's assume that we're only getting rid of "serious" religion, and not the tepid religions that lacked sincerity. In that case, I'm not sure. It might be a wash. While the church was responsible for heinous acts and the retardation of progress, it is to be noted that it did preserve a great deal of ancient writings. So if it hadn't been as prominent we might not have had the inquisition, but neither would we still have the works of Horace of Cicero.
As to the second question, I don't know. Religion has been part of society for so long that it's hard to really think. But let's assume that we're only getting rid of "serious" religion, and not the tepid religions that lacked sincerity. In that case, I'm not sure. It might be a wash. While the church was responsible for heinous acts and the retardation of progress, it is to be noted that it did preserve a great deal of ancient writings. So if it hadn't been as prominent we might not have had the inquisition, but neither would we still have the works of Horace of Cicero.