Meaningful ideas and quotes

[*Deidre*]

The first concept of 'religion' was considered shamanism, and that was back during the Neanderthal time period, and even before then. It was mainly then, that people were playing with alternate forms of consciousness and trying to make sense of it, and it became what some archaeologists consider to be man's first ''religion.'' So, the need to believe in something outside of the here and now, will likely always be present. I think as mankind evolved, then religion evolved into money-making businesses, that are largely corrupt. But, way back when, it seemed to have started with more innocent reasons.

[RedgraveStorm]

"The infinitely small have a pride infinitely great."
   Voltaire.

"The best cure for Christianity is reading the bible." 
  Mark Twain.

"No such thing as spare time, no such thing as free time, no such thing as downtime, All you've got is lifetime. Go"
  Henry Rollins.

"That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence."
 Christopher Hitchens.

The quote from Henry Rollins is something that pushes me threw everyday of life, and I think it's something everyone should keep in mind; particularly if someone wants to pursue a creative job.

[Astonished]

We're capable of it, just not many of us, and were it not for wanton indoctrination, more people probably would be too.

I don't think that's necessarily true.  The idea that there's a right way to be and a wrong way is fine when you're sipping coffee in Starbucks.  However, when you're stuck in some new land with nothing to aid you but the hairs sticking up on the back of your neck, instinct (even the instinct for superstitious thought) turns out to be very useful.

That's something we tend to forget.  "Evolved" doesn't mean we are civilized or spiritually superior.  It means we are adapted to the environmental pressures around us.  Last time I checked, dumbass X-tians didn't have trouble reproducing or raising offspring to reproductive age.  Ergo-- fuuuuuuucking Republicans are a thing.

I honestly don't think we're going to be around long enough to turn into something else, let alone something capable of rising above that limitation en mass.

Yeah, that's our big test, and it seems to be coming up on us now.  Will we allow our instincts to sink us?

No idea what you're going into 'stranger in a strange land' for, that's got nothing to do with this discussion. But like I said, I think only a select few are capable of it, not at large, although I strongly suspect that number would rise if everyone was given an equally unrestricted footing. Having the advantage of understanding evolution and physiology enables us to exercise a greater degree of control over our baser natures. Admittedly having all of our needs met is a big factor; diminishing the number of things to worry about (the consequences of rampant ignorance and stupidity next door and overseas) too, naturally. But because a majority of the planet is unwilling to get with the program, not only are they not the sort who'll rise above this, but they provide an obstacle to all the rest doing so as well.

[bennyboy]

Having the advantage of understanding evolution and physiology enables us to exercise a greater degree of control over our baser natures.

^

We'd certainly hope so, right?

People value their superstitions, because they fill them with a sense of wonder and mystery in what might otherwise be a world lacking those things. I think that's WHY, for example, Republitards are so against the idea of evolution, and science in general: they do not WANT to understand, because they will have to give up the psychological advantages of ignorance.

I think there are pockets of culture, even a few nations, where sense seems to outweigh superstition. As a Canadian, I'd say Canada isn't too bad in that regard. But if you look through world history, and at the world today, it seems sense will never have its day to rule.

[Astonished]

Having the advantage of understanding evolution and physiology enables us to exercise a greater degree of control over our baser natures.

^

We'd certainly hope so, right?

People value their superstitions, because they fill them with a sense of wonder and mystery in what might otherwise be a world lacking those things.  I think that's WHY, for example, Republitards are so against the idea of evolution, and science in general: they do not WANT to understand, because they will have to give up the psychological advantages of ignorance.

I think there are pockets of culture, even a few nations, where sense seems to outweigh superstition.  As a Canadian, I'd say Canada isn't too bad in that regard.  But if you look through world history, and at the world today, it seems sense will never have its day to rule.

Well not if history is full of opposing views being violently repressed, and if today the majority of power is in the hands of those promoting faith. Sense and reason never had a chance, but under favorable circumstances, I would take the bet that it would probably be close to half.

[Ben Davis]

"There's no information which is completely useless"
- me

[bennyboy]

Well not if history is full of opposing views being violently repressed, and if today the majority of power is in the hands of those promoting faith. Sense and reason never had a chance, but under favorable circumstances, I would take the bet that it would probably be close to half.

There seem right now to be two possibilities: 1) the Trump voters are the dying gasp of white stupidity in the US; 2) stupidity has become so outraged at the oppression of sense and science that the revolution has officially begun.

I'd like to think it's (1), but given the species' historical capacity for mob violence, I'm not so sure.

[Court Jester]

For god so loved the world, he killed his son so that you can to dumb shit and not burn in hell for it if you tell him you're sorry.

~ John 3:16ish kinda

[Astonished]

For god so loved the world, he killed his son so that you can to dumb shit and not burn in hell for it if you tell him you're sorry.

~ John 3:16ish kinda

LOL. The way I put it:
For god so hated mankind that in order to forgive us for behaving exactly how he designed us to rather than recognizing his own flaws, he had to burn one of us in effigy to show his contempt.

[Mystic]

Legendary thread needs revival.