(July 8, 2015 at 8:22 pm)Dystopia Wrote: Yes, but why don't I see people showing the same devotion and feelings of "awe" towards other institutions other than religion? I mean, I see people excited about politics, culture and partying but none of these things makes people do the thing they do for religion, whether it's killing or something harmless like a prayer.
Religion has had thousands of years to wage the meanest kind of PR Campaign: "Buy our product, or be tortured for eternity". I would equate much of the "awe" and "devotion" to relief of an ailment religion provides the cure (as well as the cause) for. As far as killing, people do it for lots of reasons: Sex, money, patriotism, fun, etc. I wouldn't personally consider that a parameter for measuring how committed a person may be.
(July 8, 2015 at 8:22 pm)Dystopia Wrote: But why risk your life when you can simply pray and feel awesome?
Meditation has been known to cause the same feelings and health benefits. I am a psychologist, so I'm decently read on many psychosomatic cases. Look up "False Pregnancy" or "Pseudocyesis" sometime. A female can wish to be pregnant with such fervor that they: Stop menstruating, start lactating, and in some extreme cases start showing. All of this originates from within.
The only reason Prayer > Meditation as far as most are concerned, I believe, is simply because of religion's very successful (and damaging) PR Campaign.
I make the statement that any and all Physical, Psychological, or Social benefits that religion provides can be had without god, without mythology, and without the fear and damage that religion causes worldwide.
Science > god
I reject your reality and substitute my own!
