The likes of evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and neuroscientist Sam Harris argue that rational beings following the evidence must inevitably conclude that religion is harmful. They, in turn, have been accused of cherry-picking their evidence. You might conclude that it is impossible to make a moral judgement about such a multifaceted cultural phenomenon.
Nevertheless, in recent years, there have been attempts to dissect the question using a scientific scalpel. Researchers have tried to work out how humanity has been shaped by things like moralising philosophies, world religions, all-seeing gods and rituals. The studies offer intriguing insights, but each presents just a fragment of the full story, and sometimes they generate competing ideas. What is needed is a way to assess them and to build a more holistic picture of the role religion has played in the evolution of human societies.
This is Dharma not easily realized for those overcome with aversion and passion; What is unobvious, subtle, deep, hard to see, going against the flow — those delighting in passion, cloaked in darkness will not see. Micheal L. The problem with religion is the people who misinterpret the divine messages contained within the scriptures that they claim as a guide to the way they live their lives.
There are those who use their religion as license to create civil unrest and even mayhem. How many innocent people have died in the name of God? This is something that God does not condone through His word to mankind. God is not the author of confusion. Paul taught, " True religion is love and service to all. No matter how sensible and sound many of its teachings, no matter how it tries to get with an up-to-date viewpoint, or to what extent it acknowledges uncertainty, religion unavoidably asserts nonsense from a scientific standpoint.
As for science, while it has a reputation for hard facts, actually science requires the acceptance of uncertainty, that is of probability. Science never pretends to reach absolute truth. But you know the maxim — our weaknesses are our strengths, and vice versa. The weakness of science is that it has nothing positive to say beyond the limits of the scientific method. The strength of religion is that it fills that void with faith.
Incidentally, the beauty of atheism is that it is a faith yes it is fully consistent with the scientific method. The problem is not religion; the problem is how we treat each other in the name of religion.
This dangerous phenomenon happens when religious beliefs — or ideologies or political beliefs — are taken to extreme. When the extremist becomes convinced, often at the hands of cultlike persuasion, that their beliefs are the only ones that are right and worthwhile, and that everyone and everything else is wrong and must be overpowered, this is extremism at its most insidious. The perpetrators of extremism lose sight of the importance of coexistence, pluralism, tolerance and acceptance, sometimes even within their own families.
Much can be gained by the sharing of differing beliefs, perspectives and experiences within and between religions. This optimal approach — and what religion calls us to do — leads to interfaith cooperation, multiculturalism and understanding, which Faith Forum is proud to encourage and promote. In America, religions lack an emphasis teaching humility. Moses was the most capable prophet and leader, who spoke to G-d face-to-face, because of his humble nature.
Although religions provide a path to G-d, which includes the ethical treatment of self and others, there is a failure to prioritize humility. If we were more humble, we would surely be less judgmental. Our attitude would be one of caring and compassion for others.
For many Muslims fun is not allowed. Music is prohibited. I would find that kind of life far bleaker than a life without God. This religion is Christian Science, in which disease is seen as having spiritual causes. Christian Scientists reject science-based medicine in favor of prayer and spiritual healing. Ashley King was the daughter of two well-off Christian Scientists in Arizona.
Not the toothless Bible thumpers you think of when you think of fundamentalists. Ashley developed a lump on her leg, which turned out to be bone cancer. Instead of taking her to a doctor, they took her out of school and tried to treat her with prayer. The lump eventually got to be as big as a watermelon. Child services finally took her away from her parents. But we can give her some time by amputating her leg.
Instead, they put her in a Christian Science sanatorium, which, by the way, is subsidized by the U. Her medicine consisted of giving her water and prayer. She started shrieking and crying out. The thing was incredibly painful. But all they did was pray. Finally, she died. Her parents were prosecuted and convicted, but they were only given unsupervised probation. In 43 out of 50 American states, faith healing that harms your children is not a civil or criminal problem.
There are graveyards filled with dead kids who were given faith healing. Spiritual is an amorphous term. I study evolution and every day I read something that strikes me as amazingly wonderful. Richard Dawkins says the same thing.
I am spiritual in the sense that I have this awe and wonder before nature. I love James Joyce and T. It has to do with a commonality of feeling prompted by nature and the arts. So I prefer to use the word humanist rather than spiritual. All rights reserved. Take us back to that moment. Share Tweet Email. Read This Next Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London Love them or hate them, there's no denying their growing numbers have added an explosion of color to the city's streets.
India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country.
0コメント