Religion, A Benefit To Mankind? Or Not?

[jomifl]

Would mankind now be better off had religion not been invented? supporting reasons for your opinion can be as controversial as you think the AB thought police will allow.

[pixie373]

Yes, i agree many use religion as an excuse. I wasn't aware of it being "encouraged" in any religion, but wasn't sure. Thanks.

[keyplus90]

I still have to see a book without refering to religions that talks about charity, looking after your parents, advises people about telling the truth, instructs people about justice and equality and so many more good deeds. In short you can't find a single action or deed considered good for humanity that has no links back to religions.

[jomifl]

Keyplus, it isn't too much of a stretch of the imagination to consider that as humans evolved they lived in family groups as do other primates. If gorillas and chimpanzees and bonobos can manage to live in family groups without any obvious sign of adhering to a religion then perhaps at one time mankind managed without religion. The point of this thread is to ask whether mankind would have been better of without inventing religion (along with firearms, nerve gasses and atomic bombs).

[pixie373]

None of those things originate from religion, keyplus. As jom says, it's evolutionary advantage. Why do religious people need to learn this from books? That's the parents' job.

[naomi24]

Khandro, //A stupid and unfounded comment, the level of argument one might expect in a school-playground.//

What an utterly pathetic response. You’ve asked a question but continue to refuse to explain the rationale behind it. I would suggest that in retrospect it wasn’t such a good idea.

//I know of no religion which 'encourages' violence//

Read Islamic literature.

Pixie, the same advice to you.

[Khandro]

jomifl; //... perhaps at one time mankind managed without religion.// There is no 'perhaps' about it, and your gorillas and chimpanzees and bonobos (who they?) can manage to live in family groups without it too, but they didn't manage to produce Chartres, the Alhambra or the Taj Mahal. Which group do you prefer?

[mibn2cweus]

Interesting strategy that, never stay in one boat long enough to watch it sink . . . well until you run out of boats that is and go swimming for the shore.

[RATTER15]

Keyplus //In short you can't find a single action or deed considered good for humanity that has no links back to religions.//

What a load of absolute nonsense you talk!!!

[Jeza]

Not really read all this thread but IMO most wars are caused by religion. Even different traits of the same religion are at fisticuffs. Bin the lot of them.

[pixie373]

Thanks naomi- I've never read the Koran, but to be honest, I'm really not planning to.

[birdie1971]

Khandro - "... I know of no religion which 'encourages' violence..."

You're joking of course? No? Really?

There's a quite popular book knocking about. You may have heard of it; it's called the Koran and it is filled with violence and it encourages its readers to actively and enthusiastically engage in this activity. It's a book that reeks with violence and intolerance. It's a sad and pathetic litany of sadism, torture, rape, robbery, paedophilia, cruelty and hypocrisy. But don't take my word for it - read it yourself. It's extraordinarily easy to come by. You can even get this monstrous tome for free if you ask.

As you clearly don't yet have a copy, please allow me to enlighten you. Here's a lovely story from Islamic history to be going on with while you ponder the question of violence in religion:

"... A traitorous Jew, having divulged to Muhammad the place in which a part of their wealth was deposited, he sent and fetched it. On the discovery of this attempt at imposition, Kinana was subjected to cruel torture, -- "fire being placed upon his breast till his breath had almost departed," -in the hope that he would confess where the rest of his treasures were concealed. Muhammad then gave command, and the heads of the two chiefs were severed from their bodies.”

I'm sure you'll agree that the above story is quite delightful. The depiction of torture in the pursuit of robbery is simply exquisite. As is the decapitation of those reprehensible individuals who were attempting to conceal their wealth from Mohammed (peace be upon him).

[birdie1971]

pixie373 - "Thanks naomi- I've never read the Koran, but to be honest, I'm really not planning to."

You should. You really should. It will change your life.

[naomi24]

Pixie, if you don’t want to read the Koran that’s your choice, but don’t believe the religious or their apologists who tell you it’s misinterpreted. It isn’t.

[Khandro]

Keyplus; Birdie says read the Koran "It will change your life",
- is conversion immanent? :-)

[jomifl]

Khandro, the buildings you mentioned were designed by architects and built by masons. All religion did was supply the funds that had been stolen from the poor. How many people have benefitted from these buildings is difficult to say, certainly the tourist trade has done quite well.
Was Jethro Tull's seed drill religiously inspired? I think not.

[pixie373]

Yes, perhaps i should- although birdie's quote has pretty much answered my question. However, if people are stupid enough to go along with it....well....

[Khandro]

jomifl; // How many people have benefitted from these buildings is difficult to say,//
Well, I for one have, and correction; they were built by INSPIRED architects and masons. When restoration work is carried out it is often found that beautiful workmanship continues in places that could never be seen by the human eye.
I guess I'll just have to leave you to dwell with your gorilla and chimp social groupings, - there's plenty to choose from :-)

[jomifl]

Khandro you have no evidence that the architects and masons were inspired by anything other than the need for money and pride in their work. Many people who are creative take pride in what they create whether or not anybody else appreciates it or even sees it. Being a painter you create objects to be seen, there are many creative people who don't expect their creations to be seen by others, they just like producing beautiful or near perfect objects, that is enough for them.

[pixie373]

Have you seen Derren Brown's mass hallucinations, xerus? He does explain how it's done.