Quote:
Originally Posted by GEaston
My moral compass didn't come from Christian teachings. I realised that was a crock just as soon as I saw the pope step out on the balcony of his self proclaimed tax free palace to see that (plus the story was just way too ludicrous to hold up to the slightest examination). Saying people "just know" must give them great comfort. Alas weak minded people need to feel that there is a point to all this.....
My kids are not brought up with a shred of religious bull but you can be sure they are well aware of the difference between right and wrong.
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We are meandering off the thread, but here's another one. Probably religions strongest role in early societies was that of defusing our anxiety over problems and dangers beyond our control. When people have done everything realistically within their powr, then thats when they are most likely to resort to prayers, rituals, donations to the gods, consulting oracles etc. Yes of course all those methods are scientifically innefective at producing the desired result. But by preserving the fiction and convincing ones self and peer group that we are still doing something, we arent helpless and haven't given up. People feel in charge, less anxious and able to function and make their best effort.
This function in many religions has of course decreased as societies increased their control over lifes course by governments (state) growing stronger and decreasing the frequency of violence and other dangers. By organisation the state religious or otherwise became better at reducing famines by storing and distributing food and the development of science and technology.
Whichever way you slice it all this has it's roots in organised religion GE.
Homo sapien would not be where it is today without the leg up the evolutionary and social ladder religion gave us.