RE: How do we grow?
May 17, 2011 at 8:27 pm
(This post was last modified: May 17, 2011 at 8:30 pm by Eudaimonia.)
(May 17, 2011 at 7:58 pm)Whirling Moat Wrote: Peace....
(May 17, 2011 at 5:47 pm)Chuck Wrote: Religion is not the root of all evil, but it is an indispensible promoter, facilitator, and protector of many of the worst and most damaging ones.
Even if this point was conceded, it would do nothing to address why there is Evil and some its children such as lust, greed, selfishness, vanity, et al. Religion seems to give cover to the ambition of those who arre truly under the power of the aforementioned, howebver without religion it would not be difficult to find other forms of cover.
The point should be conceded .. then the importance acknowledged.. Before you address the roots of evil.. *sigh*.. You should address its protector.. So please go to theists sites and tell them to stop making evil fair seeming...
If it gives evil cover then it is the vanguard of peace prevention and should be eradicated..
Without religion.. well.. why you do some brainstorming.. What insitutions/elements in society replace religion in terms of aiding the mind towards better character...
*think*
(May 17, 2011 at 9:16 am)Cinjin Cain Wrote:(May 17, 2011 at 6:04 am)Eudaimonia Wrote: Doesn't a fatalistic mindset work against the probability that humanity can achieve progress? It takes as many minds to work for as it does against progress correct?
therein lies the problem Eudaimonia ... absense of religion and superstition is not considered "progress" to many.
To a LOT of fundamentalist conservatives of Christianity and Islam, the phrase "we have made a lot of progress" is an outright fabrication of the secular world. We have proven that all the technology in the world will not change the mindset of BILLIONS of people who have been taught their whole lives to fear the supernatural power of god and that anything that takes away from that (ie. technology) is evil and must be denied. On a global scale - we are screwed. I don't believe there is a way to irradicate religion and superstition without letting them run their course. This is of course the sad part because I believe religion will inevitably lead to total destruction. I think only when we come back from the precipice of utter annihalation will human kind realize the extreme danger of our own silly beliefs.
The problem is that the minds that "work for", as you say, are far far outnumbered by the minds that "work against".
My above post is not wishful thinking. I will continue to live a rational and logical life in the hopes that I can perhaps lead by example, but that doesn't mean that I can't see the truth or that I'm going to bury my head in the sand and pretend that humanity has it all figured out. Overall, I think the world is still barbaric with only beacons of enlightenment to show what could be possible. We're not there yet ... and it's going to be awhile.
I understand.. We must remain sober about reality..
but.. I'm still hopeful... :-)
