I'm not sure if it was Dawkins who said this, but he attributed religion to something similar to a group mentality. I mean, we can see, even from today, it's done quite well in gelling communities together, an example is the united conviction in the Muslim faith, even though they may be more than hostile towards those of a differing belief. Moreover, it has helped communities in the past, like Emperor Constantine who used Christianity as a weapon against Rome itself. So I guess religion DID have a few practical purposes, perhaps that's why our ancestors decided it was better not to do away with it..
But the question is the future. Once again drawing reference to what Dawkins (probably) said above, I personally think some people HAVE to believe in something. Perhaps their religious foundations were too deep to drill away, perhaps the consolation of a heaven-bound loved one, or, as theorized, an innate susceptibility towards spirituality.
If today's religion goes away, what will come next? After humans have scoured the Himalayas for Shangri-La, or discovered no Mount Olympus, it seems like we've already moved on to more powerful and, more importantly, non-discoverable gods to explain the unexplained spiritually. After we've reached the very ends of the universe, or traversed through the fourth dimension to no avail, I'm guessing humanity will STILL come up with something.
A897, you mentioned something about morality being innate, and that there was no need for religion. I was just thinking: perhaps if, one day, all religion was eradicated, and we were left with but our innate moral systems. Would that not then evolve into a religion? A basic set of rules derived from morality, and perhaps FAITH in a moral system or humanity?
Just a thought.
But the question is the future. Once again drawing reference to what Dawkins (probably) said above, I personally think some people HAVE to believe in something. Perhaps their religious foundations were too deep to drill away, perhaps the consolation of a heaven-bound loved one, or, as theorized, an innate susceptibility towards spirituality.
If today's religion goes away, what will come next? After humans have scoured the Himalayas for Shangri-La, or discovered no Mount Olympus, it seems like we've already moved on to more powerful and, more importantly, non-discoverable gods to explain the unexplained spiritually. After we've reached the very ends of the universe, or traversed through the fourth dimension to no avail, I'm guessing humanity will STILL come up with something.
A897, you mentioned something about morality being innate, and that there was no need for religion. I was just thinking: perhaps if, one day, all religion was eradicated, and we were left with but our innate moral systems. Would that not then evolve into a religion? A basic set of rules derived from morality, and perhaps FAITH in a moral system or humanity?
Just a thought.
~We, the atheist, in creating a purpose for ourselves where there was none, are greater than God himself.~
