Convert me!

[Penhorse340]

Even if you believe there is no shred of truth in religion, are you seriously contending that nobody has ever had benefit in their life from believing in religion?

People have also benefited from taking sugar pills. What would you think of a doctor that prescribed them for an illness?

A perfect analogy.

Placebos work (sometimes for something's). I can show you an rct in which a placebo scores a 40% improvement in chronic LBP and another in which they shrink stomach ulcers. What do I think of drs and paramedicals who use them? It depends. If they understand how their placebos work I admire them greatly. If they don't, and actually believe that for eg homeopathy works by some means beside psychosomatic, then I think they need a severe slapping.

As to the paraphernalia of religion, do a little research into placebos and you'll find the paraphernalia is an integral part. A saline injection works better than a sugar pill. For some things of course. Religion, like placebos, can be dangerous if applied injudiciously. One should not use placebo to treat malaria and one should not use religion to influence science or politics. Time and a place.

"If you think scriptures are bogus then why would you choose Christianity over other beliefs, if the first three chapters of Genesis are not true then all scripture is questionable. This would make God untrustworthy and in that my friend you should truly find yourself in a situation of discomfort."

Nah. Leave alone the fact that it's perfectly easy to interpret gen 1-3 in a variety of ways, why should some of the bible being "bogus" mean that all of it is? Baby and bathwater springs to mind.

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Even if you believe there is no shred of truth in religion, are you seriously contending that nobody has ever had benefit in their life from believing in religion? No alcoholics have even used religion to rehab? No bereaved people have ever been comforted by it? I thought sweeping soundbites like that were the preserve of theists!

i don't think there are many here that don't understand that people are; comforted by their religious beliefs, claim to change their lives because of religious beliefs, or receive other claimed benefits.

The question is, which is better at describing reality?

If you or other theists want to believe because it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling, go ahead, As long as you don't try to force them on others, have at it.

indeed. Religion is like a penis. It's great to have one, to be proud of it and great to enjoy it, but annoying when you try to ram it down other people's throats!