1. Do you think religion serves a purpose, if so what is this purpose?
That depends largely on each individuals circumstances. As a non-believer religion serves little purpose in my life but for other it can provide a wide range of services depending on each individuals needs or wants ranging from a means of staying off alcohol in the case of AA, providing community support for the elderly or vulnerable, giving some a moral guidance without necessarily dictating their morality.
Granted sometimes the purpose of religion is intentionally exploitative but I don't believe that this is a prevalent as some make it out to be.
2. Do you think that religion lets poorer people down?
Not especially. There are many reasons why people live in poverty and struggle to get out of it and I don't believe that religion plays a significant role in this. If anything for many people religion helps them deal with their circumstances and although some disdain finding comfort in what the non-religious believe to be fantasies when it comes down to it if a individuals emotional health benefits from it then as far as I'm concerned they are benefiting from those beliefs.
Many charities who help the poor have a religious foundation as well so poverty is clearly something religions are interested in addressing.
3. Do you think religion will ever 'die out'?
I doubt it.
4. Do you think it matters whether a particular religion is true or not and is it irrelevant as long as what you believe makes you happy?
We generally don't spend much time on this planet and as long as a persons religious beliefs don't cause anyone else any harm I don't believe it really matters if a religion is true or not as long as it makes a person short existence more tolerable and hopefully more enjoyable.
That depends largely on each individuals circumstances. As a non-believer religion serves little purpose in my life but for other it can provide a wide range of services depending on each individuals needs or wants ranging from a means of staying off alcohol in the case of AA, providing community support for the elderly or vulnerable, giving some a moral guidance without necessarily dictating their morality.
Granted sometimes the purpose of religion is intentionally exploitative but I don't believe that this is a prevalent as some make it out to be.
2. Do you think that religion lets poorer people down?
Not especially. There are many reasons why people live in poverty and struggle to get out of it and I don't believe that religion plays a significant role in this. If anything for many people religion helps them deal with their circumstances and although some disdain finding comfort in what the non-religious believe to be fantasies when it comes down to it if a individuals emotional health benefits from it then as far as I'm concerned they are benefiting from those beliefs.
Many charities who help the poor have a religious foundation as well so poverty is clearly something religions are interested in addressing.
3. Do you think religion will ever 'die out'?
I doubt it.
4. Do you think it matters whether a particular religion is true or not and is it irrelevant as long as what you believe makes you happy?
We generally don't spend much time on this planet and as long as a persons religious beliefs don't cause anyone else any harm I don't believe it really matters if a religion is true or not as long as it makes a person short existence more tolerable and hopefully more enjoyable.
Um...
