RE: What is good about theism and theists?
March 9, 2012 at 1:03 pm
(This post was last modified: March 9, 2012 at 1:04 pm by NoMoreFaith.)
I simply can't imagine what is good about theism and theists, because the label is not a person.
Individually, many of them support their theistic views because they already have an altruistic tendency, and supporting a belief structure which supports "moral values" isn't necessarily a bad thing.
However, I can't really say that theism itself is a good thing. It can be the whip to force people to act in ways that benefit society, and in the long run, that is helpful to all.
Churches do a lot of charity work which is highly commendable, however, I also find it unnerving that anyone requires a theistic whip to promote altruistic action.
I struggle with the idea that a lie is good, if it promotes social togetherness and altruism.. its still based on a lie. Its a cold viewpoint to promote a lie purely because of the benefits of that lie.
Its a common fictional dilemma in stories, do you expose a truth which causes harm, or allow a lie to persist. Common story point.
I think I would expose the truth every time, and hope that in the long run, the harm is lessened and balanced by the removal of living your life on a lie.
I do believe, optimistically perhaps, that removing religion solves a lot of ill (far from all of it of course) in the world, and people would find less harmful outlets for social togetherness and shows of altruism to ensure the survival and betterment of society (I confess a lack of surety if this would occur).
There is nothing good about living a lie. It also strikes me as a little creepy to turn a blind eye to the restrictions and harm the lie does in order to promote the "moral good" it does stand for.
As a general rule, the religious aren't bad. The vast majority have strong convictions which to promote a stable(ish) society, which we are lucky enough to live in. The point being, is that it is the individuals who do the legwork, not the institutions of faith.
I simply disagree religion is still required to control anarchic tendencies.
Individually, many of them support their theistic views because they already have an altruistic tendency, and supporting a belief structure which supports "moral values" isn't necessarily a bad thing.
However, I can't really say that theism itself is a good thing. It can be the whip to force people to act in ways that benefit society, and in the long run, that is helpful to all.
Churches do a lot of charity work which is highly commendable, however, I also find it unnerving that anyone requires a theistic whip to promote altruistic action.
I struggle with the idea that a lie is good, if it promotes social togetherness and altruism.. its still based on a lie. Its a cold viewpoint to promote a lie purely because of the benefits of that lie.
Its a common fictional dilemma in stories, do you expose a truth which causes harm, or allow a lie to persist. Common story point.
I think I would expose the truth every time, and hope that in the long run, the harm is lessened and balanced by the removal of living your life on a lie.
I do believe, optimistically perhaps, that removing religion solves a lot of ill (far from all of it of course) in the world, and people would find less harmful outlets for social togetherness and shows of altruism to ensure the survival and betterment of society (I confess a lack of surety if this would occur).
There is nothing good about living a lie. It also strikes me as a little creepy to turn a blind eye to the restrictions and harm the lie does in order to promote the "moral good" it does stand for.
As a general rule, the religious aren't bad. The vast majority have strong convictions which to promote a stable(ish) society, which we are lucky enough to live in. The point being, is that it is the individuals who do the legwork, not the institutions of faith.
I simply disagree religion is still required to control anarchic tendencies.
Self-authenticating private evidence is useless, because it is indistinguishable from the illusion of it. ― Kel, Kelosophy Blog
If you’re going to watch tele, you should watch Scooby Doo. That show was so cool because every time there’s a church with a ghoul, or a ghost in a school. They looked beneath the mask and what was inside?
The f**king janitor or the dude who runs the waterslide. Throughout history every mystery. Ever solved has turned out to be. Not Magic. ― Tim Minchin, Storm
If you’re going to watch tele, you should watch Scooby Doo. That show was so cool because every time there’s a church with a ghoul, or a ghost in a school. They looked beneath the mask and what was inside?
The f**king janitor or the dude who runs the waterslide. Throughout history every mystery. Ever solved has turned out to be. Not Magic. ― Tim Minchin, Storm
