I don't agree. I don't think all religions are stupid or ignorant. My daughters church does a hell of a lot of good. They are like a smaller version of the peace corp and they do it because the Bible says so. How could that possibly be stupid?
I disagree. They can all be considered stupid, but they can't all be considered equally stupid. Think of Catholicism with its huge footprint in human history - roots that go back almost 2000 years.....with ruling influence of the Roman empire for a time; ruling influence over European monarchies; ruling influence (you can call it retardation if you want) over science and scientific progress. Influences on laws, art, culture, society, war, economy, etc.... ....then think of Scientology.....roots go back about 50 years - founded on concepts that are blatantly unconvincing to the point of being considered absurd....even for a cult. By the way, this is not to say Scientology represents the pinnacle of stupidity. I'm only pointing out the level of stupidity could be quantified.
They're helping people because some guy got nailed to a cross hundreds of generations ago. If a guy hadn't been nailed to a cross, and their invisible friend hadn't authored a certain book, they wouldn't be helping anybody. That doesn't seem particularly less stupid to me. Less stupid would be a secular group that has "faith" in the power of helping other people as an end unto itself. The only reason Christianity seems remotely less stupid than Scientology to you or I, is because we've been surrounded by it for entirely too long.
People don't need an established system of ethics. They just need a big cool looking statue to radiate implied goodynesss.
A group of people can band together in an effort to effect change in a positive way without religious ties. The actions aren't stupid, the superstitious beliefs are.
Industrialism and consumerism aren't religions. Nevertheless, we wouldn't have the internet and this forum without them.
Loosely defined, 'stupid' means knowing something but following with action anyways. For example, if you know fire will burn your hand, yet you put your hand in the fire anyways, that's stupid. Ignorance is actioning without having the knowledge. So, if people are following a religion knowing quite well it will harm them or others, then that is stupidity. The problem is that they would never admit to the harm. Therefore, 'stupidity' cannot really be used when describing a religion, since religion brings with it the concepts of good and evil, where one religions good is another's evil.
A religion can be stupid from an outsider's perspective - if the religion asks me to do something stupid or foolish.
no its nothing like that. i was stating a fact, dont you like it? i was stating a fact dont you like it? peace.
Well, it all basically boils down to this: If your parents never had sex you wouldnt be here... But since you wouldve never existed then who would care ? Nobody would have any knowledge about how it would have been if there was religion. What if indeed a world exists where there was never any religion (but for arguments sake they just thought it up). Then someone might have posted:
Yeah, I agree. Does what religion you belong to really matter? I mean, no religion is stupid if it helps people to treat other people better and live better lives, is it?
why did you edit my post when quoting me, instead of showing why i am wrong? if you have to use tactics like that to escape backing up why what i said was flawed then i dont think i will bother trying to debate. you and solidus have both failed to show why what i said was wrong. yet you both claim its incorrect. basicaly what i see is that both of you dont like the fact that religion played a part ion your existence, and therefore you have reacted to it in a way that shows you dislike the notion, you are free to have opinions of your own ofcourse and i dont hold anything against either of you. but facts are facts and what i said was true. its not subjective its truth. peace.
Can scientology even be considered a religion? I mean they consider themselves to be one but isn't that only to avoid taxes? do those celebrities really believe in their dogma?
Basically, people adhere to a religion because it makes them feel good (or better than before) and regardless of what they believe, all religions are based on faith and are subjective to what the individual has learnt from their guru, priest, imam or imaginary friend, whichever is applicable. It is therefore fair to say that no religion can be construed as stupid because if it does what it says on the bottle (feelgood) then it's good.
My future ones will also be up there also I imagine Judging from my past religion. Also if I not have a religion, thats also up there.