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#1
11-01-2007, 02:29 PM
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Religion DOES Do More Good Than Harm
Not because of charitable work or anything like that. But rather simply because it makes a lot of people happier than they otherwise would be. They might claim that they would like to be free of the restrictions that their religion puts on them. But I think almost everybody would agree that they are happier with their religion and its restrictions than they would be without either.
Even if you go under the assumption that the specifics of any religion are definitely false, that doesn't mean that a practitioner of that religion or even someone not yet born who is destined to practice it, is better off not believing in it. The fact is that only a minority of the individuals in this world gain more than they lose by being atheists, even if atheism is assumed to be correct. In order to gain from atheism you need to be the type of person who derives much satisfaction from knowing the truth and you also need to be someone who is pretty happy with what they are doing and how their life is going. There are atheists who do not fit into this category of course. They might be ex theists who have become embittered. But that was probably too bad for them. I had originally assummed that almost everyone on this forum is one of those minority of people who is better off not believing in something that is a monumental underdog to be true. Which is why I gave arguments for non belief. Perhaps ten percent of theists would be happier if they became atheists. But I thought a much bigger percent of two plus two theists would be happier as atheists. I don't think that anymore. So I see no good reason for me to pursue the subject further. 
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#3
11-01-2007, 02:52 PM
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Re: Religion DOES Do More Good Than Harm
[ QUOTE ]
So you mean, above and beyond "drug addicts are happier on drugs?" [/ QUOTE ] If in fact drug addicts were truly happier on drugs I would mean only slightly more than that. But most drug addicts aren't, so it is a bad analogy.
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#4
11-01-2007, 03:01 PM
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Re: Religion DOES Do More Good Than Harm
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] So you mean, above and beyond "drug addicts are happier on drugs?" [/ QUOTE ] If in fact drug addicts were truly happier on drugs I would mean only slightly more than that. But most drug addicts aren't, so it is a bad analogy. [/ QUOTE ] Like 5 seconds after they inject I mean, obviously. Or at least, the pain involved in getting clean isnt worth it. That they are actually less happy being addicts than they would be otherwise is the "more" that I'm talking about. Many people make the claim that shedding religious beliefs is very painful. Having them makes them comfortable and happy. But they say that they could be happier if they never started in the first place, or after they've "gotten clean." You are saying that even had they never started or even AFTER they get clean, they would still be less happy than when they were "hooked." Just asking for clarification.
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#6
11-01-2007, 03:43 PM
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Re: Religion DOES Do More Good Than Harm
[ QUOTE ]
Basically, most people are happier in the Matrix. I would agree with that. [/ QUOTE ] How do you know that the Matrix is religion? How do you know it's not materialism, money, sex, television, cinema, science, the denial of God, and the western culture? Just food for thought.
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#8
11-01-2007, 05:15 PM
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Re: Religion DOES Do More Good Than Harm
[ QUOTE ]
If in fact drug addicts were truly happier on drugs I would mean only slightly more than that. But most drug addicts aren't, so it is a bad analogy. [/ QUOTE ] The drug analogy is almost perfect. If drug addicts became clean and got their lives together, they'd be happier than they are on drugs. Of course, they would have to go through withdrawals, and they might never deal with the mental health issues that led them to drugs in the first place. Similarly, a religious person who learns to find fulfillment in reality instead of fantasy, and in life instead of hope for afterlife, will be much happier. But letting go of religion is uncomfortable, and they might never find personal satsifaction. Also, while individual use does no harm, there's great potential for damage in the distribution channels and in individual abuse.
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#9
11-01-2007, 03:09 PM
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Re: Religion DOES Do More Good Than Harm
Vhawk already nailed it pretty much,
We all get comfort from our obsessions. You can't gauge the benevolence of your obsession solely by how good it makes you feel, or we should all be addicted to heroin, and we would encourage sociopathy and serial killings. It's about impact and influence. Our obsession might be knowledge. We want to learn and be informed. In a democratic society especially this has a positive impact. Some may be obsessed with the outdoors; these are the people who have expertise to search and rescue, and save lives. Some may be obsessed with football, and entertain millions. What tangible, if anything, does religion offer to the world as a side effect of the happiness it brings to the individual?
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#10
11-01-2007, 03:10 PM
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Re: Religion DOES Do More Good Than Harm
[ QUOTE ]
But I think almost everybody would agree that they are happier with their religion and its restrictions than they would be without either. [/ QUOTE ] I think many people that say this are lying to themselves. Do you really think those same people with the same families would be depressed if they were raised atheist instead? I think only a very small percent of theists receive a large amount of hope/inspiration/whatever from it. I think as our society progresses, the downside of religion is getting exponentially greater. If there were never any atheists, imagine how far set back our scientific knowledge would be. Then there's the obvious argument that most wars are caused by religion, coupled with all the intolerance, hate, and bigotry, etc. Are you really thinking on a global level?
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