Is religion rational?

[NeutralDrow]

This thread is inherently divisive. Neither side will believe the other under any circumstances. The best way to make enemies on a forum is to mention religion or politics.

Actually it's usually the best way to sort the pricks from the decent people on the forum. Anyone who has flamed in this thread or any thread for that matter is clearly a prick... When was the last time anyone saw a religious person flaming an athiest for not believing in god in this thread or on the forum boards in general? Because I have never seen a flame war that wasn't started by an anti-theist.

I'm attributing that to our general unrelatability to the kinds of religious people who would start such wars, and (in turn) our high population of anti-theists. It's like getting a barrel of good apples and a barrel of more evenly-distributed apples.

Christianity is polytheistic, not monotheistic. haha!

Depends on the branch, of course. I seem to remember the whole trinity doctrine being Muhammad's one major disagreement with many of the Christians in his time.

 

[Biosophilogical]

As an atheist and a science student I say; yes it's irrational.
And I personally belives the world could be a better place without religion together.

Amen to that ... (does that count as irony???) (BTW, just read the rest of my post other escapists, before you go saying that I am prejudiced and ignorant about religions and we get into some flame war)

OT: Of course religion is irrational, so are people. Of course religion makes massive assumptions, so do people. Of course religion is retar.... NO BAD SHINE!!! BAD!!! Ok I lie, I actually like religion ... though I am not religious. I enjoy religion because I enjoy ethics, and by observing the world's most popular ethical guide-books (Torah, New Testament, *insert name of book*), I can compare it to my own ethical system, and see which makes more sense. It is kind of like and internal argument, and I find that arguments tend to be the most productive kind of theoretical development.

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BTW, my ethical system is currently winning.

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Ok so I got a little side-tracked sooooo.

Back OT: mono-/poly- theism is irrational (probably why people made it (just saying that IMHO, people invented religon (not some God), so don't flame me for my opinion)). However, the moral guidelines are simple an easy to understand (good for the majority of people who don't have time to think about their morals), they are also good for the flourishing and peaceful existence of a society (which seems to be enough for regular, average intelligence, and rather un-intrapersonal people).

So, in reality, religion is irrational, but so are MOST PEOPLE, which makes religion a rational (from an irrational perspective) choice for MOST PEOPLE.

 

[The Cheezy One]

ah another religion thread started by an atheist, wondering why its offensive to offend a religion
what if i said you are irrational, why would you be offended by that?

So, in reality, religion is irrational, but so are MOST PEOPLE, which makes religion a rational (from an irrational perspective) choice for MOST PEOPLE.

we all need something to devote our lives to. i may be wrong, being a Christian, but at least i have certainty in life
why does it seem like most atheists on the escapist want to destroy the inherent happiness that comes with religion?
you are very selfish people

 

[Raven's Nest]

How does science explain ghosts? Or the concept of a soul? Raw talent? Personal preferances? Psychic abilities?... Simply put, it can't, but there are literally billions of people that have lived and died by the idea that some of these things are real.

Ghosts, Prove it. there is insufficient scientifically validated evidence for the existence of ghosts.

Soul, No evidence exists to support a "soul", it only exists in fantasy and mythology

Raw Talent: GENETICS

Personal Preferences: Nature and Nurture both impact ones personal preferences

Psychic abilities: Another psudo-science without any real evidence to support it.

Just because people believe things does not mean that they are true

Just because you have the inability to prove something does not mean it is proven wrong. See my last post for further explanation.

 

[thermo1]

Besides they are all your opinions of the above subjects, I'm not saying your wrong because your quite entitled to your opinion.

as you are which is the point of these threads

 

[thermo1]

ah another religion thread started by an atheist, wondering why its offensive to offend a religion
what if i said you are irrational, why would you be offended by that?

the difference is he isnt a tax exempt organisation

 

[Kubanator]

ah another religion thread started by an atheist, wondering why its offensive to offend a religion
what if i said you are irrational, why would you be offended by that?

I wouldn't if you provided evidence for it. For example, quoting an irrational statement.

we all need something to devote our lives to. i may be wrong, being a Christian, but at least i have certainty in life
why does it seem like most atheists on the escapist want to destroy the inherent happiness that comes with religion?
you are very selfish people

Certainty in ignorance. Yes, I am selfish, but I don't seek to destroy religion, I seek to join it.

 

[Dark Knifer]

I don't find religion irrational, being christian myself, I find it calming and explains alot of things for me, not like creation and stuff although it does that too, I mean just why I feel certain emotions at times, and I am alot happier then when I was an atheist.

 

[Skeleon]

Nah, religion isn't rational as it works on faith, not on evidence.
Nothing wrong with that as long as it doesn't influence secular matters, though.

 

[Twilight_guy]

No. It's based in faith. Faith is believing without knowing for sure and believing in something with no proof is not really rational. Still, having no faith in anything in life will leave a person a sad empty husk. Which is worse being called irrational and having peace or being rational and having emptiness?*immediately scorched by flames*

Edit: The flames only make me stronger. Also, I really believe that someone with no faith in anything, be it religious or not, is a very sad person. Why wake up in the morning if there is nothing to hope for?

 

[DalekJaas]

No its not rational at all. Believing in a book written by a roman council designed to manipulate the people is not rationality.

End of thread.

 

[Skeleon]

*immediately scorched by flames*

And rightfully so, it's quite arrogant to assume that atheists lead hollow lives, just like it would be arrogant to assume all religious people are dumbasses (disclaimer: I'm saying neither).

 

[Raven's Nest]

Religion is typically irrational.

The problem arises when people think irrationality is inherently bad.

and how is irrationality ever good?

If I'm ever paralyzed with existential despair, but I suddenly realize that I believe that whatever happens, there's a higher power that cares enough about me to watch over me, so I can go on with my life...that's irrational.

People fear the unknown. Religion is an excellent way to cope with the unknown.

I think your absolutley right, I got to the same stage and realised that even religion wasn't enough for me though. But I can totally see how it comforts people and I think there's nothing wrong with that. My sister is a born again Christian and it has brought her nothing but happiness. She, coincidently, isn't planning to go on a holy crusade or jihad. It is extremely irrational to assume that all believers of god will do this. it's even more annoying to see people assume that all religious people believe in the literal truth of holy scriptures. It's all stereotypical bullshit and it only shows the haters for what they are...

Besides they are all your opinions of the above subjects, I'm not saying your wrong because your quite entitled to your opinion.

as you are which is the point of these threads

I just don't understand why people think they have the right to flame people for less popular opinions. Or less vocal opinions anyway.

I don't find religion irrational, being christian myself, I find it calming and explains alot of things for me, not like creation and stuff although it does that too, I mean just why I feel certain emotions at times, and I am alot happier then when I was an atheist.

So anti-thiests, if you care to actually explain why there is something wrong with what this chap here has said?...

I'll give you a clue... There isn't. End of story. Why? Because he/she is happy. Is being happy irrational? No. Case closed.

 

[Skeleon]

Why? Because he/she is happy. Is being happy irrational? No. Case closed.

Nah, I'm happy when I'm in love and I wouldn't exactly call myself rational then.
There's no necessary connection between being happy and being rational.

Again, I'm not saying religion doesn't have its place in society. I'm just saying it isn't rational (without judging it either good or bad thereby).
What's so bad about being irrational? We all are in some areas of our lives.

 

[Raven's Nest]

Why? Because he/she is happy. Is being happy irrational? No. Case closed.

Nah, I'm happy when I'm in love and I wouldn't exactly call myself rational then.
There's no necessary connection between being happy and being rational.

Again, I'm not saying religion doesn't have its place in society. I'm just saying it isn't rational (without judging it either good or bad thereby).
What's so bad about being irrational? We all are in some areas of our lives.

Thats true. I wasn't saying irrationality was bad, but that it's perfectly rationable to want to be happy. By extension I'm saying that for what could be considered the right reasons, being religious isn't inherintley irrational. Whether or not the idea of religion is rational or not, doesn't really matter to someone who is or is seeking to be religious.

 

[Raven's Nest]

You know, we DID let religion control society once... It was called the dark ages.
the less influence religion has, the better off a country seems.

If you've nothing but negativity and flames for this topic just do us all a favour and stop posting. You are not saying anything that no-one has ever said before, you are just ruining this thread for everyone.

 

[NeutralDrow]

You know, we DID let religion control society once... It was called the dark ages.

*<url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_age_of_Islam>cough*