seebs

You are wise.

Well, you argue above that "enjoying life" may be more complicated than people think. Some people find that adopting an existing set of claims about how to go about it might be better than spending years searching. Not everyone enjoys philosophy for its own sake. There are certainly people who have found that the Christian lifestyle seems to help solve those problems... Although I think it's important to distinguish between several different varieties of it.

But hey, you don't have to believe anything in particular to start trying to love everybody, and I think that it will in and of itself make you much happier to live that way. ("You" in this case is the generic "you"; this is not particularly directed at any given person.)

whichphilosophy

It really boils down on paper to a matter of viewpoint.
That is to say (mentioned on other websites) we consider our beginnings or how things started.

This everything arise somehow out of eternal matter and energy contained in space, or was this created by something or someone.

So as a theist of sorts, I respect atheist beliefs. As for religions or non-religions that follow that is a path someone chooses.

Anat

Interestingly, I have found the idea that no matter what, eventually I'll die and all will end for me as the most comforting thought ever. That no matter how bad things turn out, there is an end. Now it's just a matter of working on those numbered days, one by one, and making something out of them.

JerryM

I think it boils down to a matter of personal comfort.

For many people, religious belief is psychologically satisfying. It provides meaning, security and help for dealing with the difficulties of life. Like Bertrand Russell said, belief in a god largely derives from fear--fear of death, fear of the future, and fear of the unknown. It's awfully hard for a lot of people to accept that life may be just one damned thing after another.

Relgion also serves a social function. It gives people a sense of belonging and fellowship. (I have to admit, I admire SOME aspects of tightly knit religious groups like the Amish, which care for their elderly and disabled and work together to assist their fellows in trouble. Don't know if this outweighs all the other stuff--like the doctrinaire strictness, insularity, and inflexible social structure.)

I think these are the biggest benefits of religious faith. For many--probably most--people they're important. Which is why religion is still with us.

socratoad

I can perceive of one good reason to have religious faith would be the somewhat comforting aspect of the ability to deny reality: fear of freedom. A crutch if you will.

Classical

In case you don't realize it, Chaupoline, this forum has lots of theists running around.

The reason for my question, is to get the liberal christians and nonfundies to explain what they consider advantages to religious faith as opposed to being a secular humanist. Seems to me that they don't think having religious faith has much to do with eternal destiny, so what really is the good in it?

Paul's fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance are universal qualities that believers or nonbelievers can all strive for in their lives. Why do we need religion?

I'm still looking for some good thoughts on this, not an explanation as to WHY people think some individuals need religious faith (a crutch, a way to escape fear of the unknown, etc.).

seebs

I don't think we do.

Gravity, too, works whether or not you believe in it; the reason to believe in gravity is not "so you won't fly off into space because the world is spinning" but so you can make informed predictions about the way the world works.

southernhybrid

I have a freind who has a profoundly brain damaged son. My friend's son is in his mid 20s and although he has an adult body, he requires the care that a newborn would require. One day I asked my conservative Xian friend how on earth she was able to maintain her beliefs when her son was so damaged. Her words to me were, "The only way I can cope is to believe, even though it makes little sense, that there is a reason and purpose for my son's disability, and when I die I will told the reason."

While that type of belief would not comfort me if I were in her very difficult position, I certainly will not judge my friend for having faith since it has helped her cope with something that would devastate many of us. Obviously, having faith gives comfort to many people, otherwise there would not be so many who cling to it so strongly.

Crucifiction

That's sad; and at the same time maddening. I can't stand it when people know their beliefs are basically bullshit, yet believe anyway because it gives them a "sense of purpose" or whatnot.

socratoad

Lest I have given the impression that I believe some is inferior because that particular individual has a religion belief, nothing could be further from the truth. I was thinking of why the belief in religion, period. Why religion came about. Why the perceived need. Why the escapism became necessary away back in the mists of time. And only by that overview by extension to the individual anywhere, any religion.

Of course to the indignant theist I can quite understand the inability to grasp this concept, just I am unable to grasp the ability to suspend disbelief. We are speaking from a quite different premise.

Its often quite helpful to be able to stop concentrating on the trees long enough to be able to see the forest.