You live in an area with little religion and it functions quite well but you knew that was my point but just prefer to ask questions as a response to every post.
Like I said your can't imagine a world without God. Your attempt is hardly a genuine attempt more like an avoidance. I am driven by my concern for all the children indoctrinated by a religious upbringing. Fair enough I thought you might enjoy s discussion but clearly you don't have the time. That's OK I understand. Alex
The definition of "religion" in both Wikipedia and dictionary.com say that most religions have one or more gods, but not all do. Religion deals with the cause, origin and purpose of the universe. If it can have a cause, an origin and a purpose without a deity, that doesn't violate the definition. Personally I've never encountered anyone who claims to be religious, yet does not believe in any gods. But all this may mean is that I haven't met him yet.
How can anything that comes from the imagination, not be a genuine attempt at imagining something? You asked us to imagine the world without God, I give my offering and now you say it's not good enough. jan.
A lot of religious people don't actually believe in God or gods, when seriously asked. They generally have a notion that there's more to life than meat, but they don't know what it is. Then may say something like ''if there is such a thing as God then that would be it''. While that sounds theistic, it isn't. jan.
I think you're under the misconception that ''Religion'' is purely about worshiping supernatural Deities. Man has always religiously lived by codes, symbols, and rituals, developing cultures societies's based on those ideals, which have been passed down through generations. That is Religion. So to imagine a world without religion is to imagine a world where there are no cultures, no civilized societies, Just a bunch of wild animals surviving. Eat, sleep, sex, kill/defend would be the order of everday. Is that better? jan,
The religious education of most atheist appears to have stopped at about elementary school level. They seem to know the mythologies, taught to the small children in religion. They then compare that to university secular education and these don't seem to add up. On the other hand, if you start to quote wisdom from the bible, this is censored as though it is taboo to ever hear this stuff.
Misconception or not I believe religion is limited to supernatural made up deities. You were not around to observe such so you are making up a version of reality to suit yourself. Better but you need to try harder. Imagine a world where folk do not teach children about God and everyone are atheists with the highest of moral standards like me. Don't you agree we would be better off without a crippling dependency upon made up superstitions supporting all sorts of unrealistic views with no evidence whatsoever in support. I suggest the world would be a much better place wouldn't you agree Jan. Alex
When you get involved you start to believe there is something to it but there is nothing to it... You can become expert on Lord of the Rings but as expert as you may become it does not transform fiction into nonfiction. You can go as deep as you like but it is simply made up and all the symbolism and mystical writing style will not make it the truth. Alex
One good example is the addiction market place controlled by psychology and psychiatry. This used to be handled by religion and was free. The question is why are there more of this behavior going on today and why are people less equipped to deal with this on their own? The symbols of religion allow more access to the unconscious parts of the brain, where these behavior are processed.
In the UK religious education is a compulsory subject on the curriculum up to the age of 16, although parents can withdraw their children from those classes if they so desire (not many do). And the U.K. is one of the countries with a burgeoning atheist population, so this doesn't really tally with your rather gross generalisation. Nor did I do mechanical engineering at university but it doesn't mean I don't know how a car works and how to fix it. Maybe you think it's pixie dust that makes the wheels go round? Wisdom, when it is based upon beliefs not shared by others, is not necessarily wisdom applicable to them. To quote "wisdom" in such instances is actually little more than preaching. And people have a right not to be preached at.
Apologies, I wasn't aware you were playing games. Okay. IOW a world where everyone is like Alex. A world where everyone is like you? No. jan.
Then you are deliberately believing wrong things. Religion is a faith position. It can have to do with Gods, but it can also have to do with ways of life or certain contemplative and ecstatic practices.