Freethought & Rationalism Archive

jpbrooks · 02-12-2002, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Draygomb:
[QB]

Islam is an example of a religion that evolved for those people that wanted to tell others how to live.

But Judaism and Christianity already tell others how to live.
So why would that be the reason for the evolution of Islam? Why would there be a need for a new religion just to serve a purpose that is already being fulfilled by the existing ones?

Quote:

It's not a matter of life style fitting religion so much as it is religion fitting life style.

So if religions develop to fit lifestyles, what causes lifestyles to evolve?

Quote:

Though when religion gets into politics life styles can be effected. It's really a 2-way street.

So since religion affects and is, in turn, affected by other sociological factors such as lifestyles and politics (which may or may not favor monotheism), it doesn't appear to be the case that religion evolves in order to obtain a (more) monotheistic type of God, which puts us back to "square one" in the search for an explanation for the "evolution" of religion.

[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: jpbrooks ]

Draygomb · 02-13-2002, 06:10 AM

The facts are that Monotheistic cultures sprang up only where there were polytheistic cultures and that primitive societies were spirit worshippers.

jpbrooks · 02-13-2002, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Draygomb:
The facts are that Monotheistic cultures sprang up only where there were polytheistic cultures and that primitive societies were spirit worshippers.

And we are interested in arriving at a theory that adequately explains the facts.

Vorkosigan · 02-13-2002, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Draygomb:
The facts are that Monotheistic cultures sprang up only where there were polytheistic cultures and that primitive societies were spirit worshippers.

You know this for a fact? I mean, you have data on all the world's religions and their historical evolution? I am sure lots of scholars would love to see that.

Michael

Draygomb · 02-14-2002, 06:02 AM

JPBrooks

Any helpful ideas would be appreciated.

jpbrooks · 02-15-2002, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Draygomb:
JPBrooks

Any helpful ideas would be appreciated.

Sorry I missed your post, Draygomb.

At this point, I'm still evaluating theories on this issue. But, so far, I haven't yet come across any adequate ones.

I have to run.

Draygomb · 02-15-2002, 11:24 AM

Religions seem to have 3 basic parts.

Theology - Why is there a god
Doctrine - How People should behave
Mythology - The stories that prove it was around since the beginning of Man. Why would the correct religion not be revealed to the first people.

And it's the evolution of theology that prompts the big changes in religion.

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02-13-2002, 06:10 AM	#22
Draygomb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Harrisburg, Pa Posts: 3,251	The facts are that Monotheistic cultures sprang up only where there were polytheistic cultures and that primitive societies were spirit worshippers.

02-14-2002, 06:02 AM	#25
Draygomb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Harrisburg, Pa Posts: 3,251	JPBrooks Any helpful ideas would be appreciated.

02-15-2002, 11:24 AM	#27
Draygomb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Harrisburg, Pa Posts: 3,251	Religions seem to have 3 basic parts. Theology - Why is there a god Doctrine - How People should behave Mythology - The stories that prove it was around since the beginning of Man. Why would the correct religion not be revealed to the first people. And it's the evolution of theology that prompts the big changes in religion.

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