Philosophy Now Forum

I think the main reasons for religion are fear of death, pain, looking old and incapacity, all other reasons would be secondary. So if we can overcome all those problems, why would we need religion then? Why would there be a desire to go to heaven? (note I'm aware of the other desires, let's focus on these four).

PhilX

I think a huge part of those 4 are the affects that occur to the people surrounding the person dying or old. Grief and pain causes desperation. You would have to adjust social and family attachments.

Looking old?

You are all clueless.

No, religion is a necessary security blanket for a sentient young species.

Philosophy Explorer wrote:I think the main reasons for religion are fear of death, pain, looking old and incapacity, all other reasons would be secondary. So if we can overcome all those problems, why would we need religion then? Why would there be a desire to go to heaven? (note I'm aware of the other desires, let's focus on these four).

PhilX

You can't overcome those problems. This is existence. So either stop creating it, or suck it up. Why should fiction's Frankenstein's monster (really, the doctor is) be the only one that rants at his creation by his 'father', and not any other existent at it's creation?

kriswest wrote:No, religion is a necessary security blanket for a sentient young species.

Really? So lets blanket ourselves in the fiery furnace of 'hell'...how's that for a 'security blanket'?

Religions are mainly sets of moral values.

We are bound to (re-ligio) certains moral standards composed into a system.

Philosophy Explorer wrote:I think the main reasons for religion are fear of death, pain, looking old and incapacity, all other reasons would be secondary. So if we can overcome all those problems, why would we need religion then? Why would there be a desire to go to heaven? (note I'm aware of the other desires, let's focus on these four).

PhilX

Think again.

The Inglorious One wrote:

Philosophy Explorer wrote:I think the main reasons for religion are fear of death, pain, looking old and incapacity, all other reasons would be secondary. So if we can overcome all those problems, why would we need religion then? Why would there be a desire to go to heaven? (note I'm aware of the other desires, let's focus on these four).

PhilX

Think again.

Why?

PhilX

attofishpi wrote:

kriswest wrote:No, religion is a necessary security blanket for a sentient young species.

Really? So lets blanket ourselves in the fiery furnace of 'hell'...how's that for a 'security blanket'?

It's better then a blizzard.
Hell is reserved for those of that religion who follow when it is convenient. If the bible is actually read it clearly states that all reward and punishment is given to the followers. Well, in the oldest scriptures it does. Humans tend to fill in blanks or words they do not know with what they want.
Their God has no control over me. I don't know about you.

Philosophy Explorer wrote:

The Inglorious One wrote:

Philosophy Explorer wrote:I think the main reasons for religion are fear of death, pain, looking old and incapacity, all other reasons would be secondary. So if we can overcome all those problems, why would we need religion then? Why would there be a desire to go to heaven? (note I'm aware of the other desires, let's focus on these four).

PhilX

Think again.

Why?

PhilX

Your understanding of what is "good" is too narrow, too simplistic.

Overcoming the problem of suffering can indeed be the main motivation behind a religion. It is, in fact, the primary function of Buddhism. But true religion is not as simple as all that. For instance, if we watch a cat playing with a ball of string or a dog savoring a bone, it is obvious that that they experience pleasure. There is no question that some people, perhaps even most, aspire to for nothing more. For them, "the good" is what brings pleasure and minimizes suffering. It's an animalistic understanding that misses the point of what it is to be human. To the truly human, Ultimate Reality is the Good for which they aspire.

The Inglorious One wrote:Overcoming the problem of suffering can indeed be the main motivation behind a religion. It is, in fact, the primary function of Buddhism. But true religion is not as simple as all that. For instance, if we watch a cat playing with a ball of string or a dog savoring a bone, it is obvious that that they experience pleasure. There is no question that some people, perhaps even most, aspire to for nothing more. For them, "the good" is what brings pleasure and minimizes suffering. It's an animalistic understanding that misses the point of what it is to be human. To the truly human, Ultimate Reality is the Good for which they aspire.

You appear religious IO. Why so? And what so? How does panentheism sit with you?

attofishpi wrote:You appear religious IO. Why so?

If it's the only way to make sense of it all, why not?

And what so? How does panentheism sit with you?

Pretty well. I'm currently rereading Return to the One by Brian Hines