Originally Posted by
~invisible~girl~
If he believes that religion is not applicable to the modern world, then he clearly does not understand the purpose of religion very well at all. Religion does a lot more than just explain what science hasn't yet. It provides its followers with a sense of purpose, a reason to exist, and guidelines for how to live their life. It fulfills fundamental human needs that go beyond simple curiosity about the natural world, and thus beyond what can be addressed through the study of science. To take religious stories as literal truth generally has no place in the modern world, but to have faith in a higher power, to believe that your life has meaning, that things happen for a reason, to have a concrete source of hope and guidance, to be part of a supportive and stable community are not worthless. Religion provides an alternative to the existential void that's just as relevant in the 21st century as the 12th, if not more so.
I don't want to start a debate, we will clearly never agree but i will make this point. The human race will never move forward until we get past this ridiculus fascination that we are all here for a bigger purpose. Why can't we exist because we do? Instead of hoping that one day you might go to heaven, why not make our best efforts to make the earth a nicer place to live. I always feel its a bit of a snub on how truly awesome this planet is. The natural wonders, the intriguing inhabitants and the pure beauty of it all. Is that not good enough?
Religion's main reason for existence was to explain the world. But as human society evolved some of the smarter apes realised it was possible to control the others by fear. If you don't such and such you will burn in hell forever (truly a loving god)
Most rational christians no longer believe in the bible literally simply because they've been allowed to be educated. They can now see that it is mostly implausible. Now my problem with that is this, if you believe it is gods word are you saying that god is wrong. Or are you saying some bits are right and some aren't. In which case which bits? how do you decide? and if there is doubt there are you not already half way to atheism?
