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The Belief Spectrum (pg. 22)
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| Halcyon+On+On |
| So long as we keep voting in blacks and Evangelical leaders keep playing teenage boys like flutes, I think we'll be ok. |
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| MrJiveBoJingles |
| I have a feeling that once the current generation is older and done being infatuated with technology and personal wealth, it's going to turn to religion in a big way. But maybe I'm wrong. |
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| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles
I have a feeling that once the current generation is older and done being infatuated with technology and personal wealth, it's going to turn to religion in a big way. But maybe I'm wrong. |
In order to have a mass resurgence in religious belief (especially the traditional sects of Christianity) a large scale deterioration of the western quality of life will have to happen. Whether because people who are downtrodden turn to religion for hope or people who are living the good life are too distracted to think much about faith (both are probably true to some extent) religion (especially Christianity) has it's greatest appeal with people who are experiencing some degree of strife. |
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| gehzumteufel |
| quote: | Originally posted by Moral Hazard
But if you dislike the present shift toward more evangelical nut-case church/arenas in the US then you should welcome a return to traditional religions. |
Well, I more so favor the shift toward less religious, but that will take a lot more time. I do favor the less evangelical nut-case stuff going on in the US, but changing seems impossible with how fanatical people are here. |
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| MrJiveBoJingles |
| I know. My point is that age naturally brings strife -- death of friends and parents, personal illness and anticipation of death, loss of vitality. So I think many people who have lived a carefree surface-level existence based on "fun" and the accumulation of stuff will experience a shock as they hit middle or old age and be forced to take a broader look at their life and sense of purpose. I think many of them will turn to faith as a result. |
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| Halcyon+On+On |
So you're saying that given the distractions of this current generation compared to the last, people will become that much more disillusioned by the world and state of their existence, they will more often resort to religion for comfort rather than the conveniences of modern, solipsistic living?
I'm really not sure that technology has affected the spiritual dynamic that drastically - not yet, at least. But it's an interesting theory, that's for sure... |
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| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by gehzumteufel
Well, I more so favor the shift toward less religious, but that will take a lot more time. I do favor the less evangelical nut-case stuff going on in the US, but changing seems impossible with how fanatical people are here. |
Clearly we'll differ on this; however, IMO the benefits of the great faiths (even if it is complete bull) far outweigh the detriments of same; subsequently, I think we would lose much if religion became increasingly abandoned. |
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| gehzumteufel |
| quote: | Originally posted by Moral Hazard
Clearly we'll differ on this; however, IMO the benefits of the great faiths (even if it is complete bull) far outweigh the detriments of same; subsequently, I think we would lose much if religion became increasingly abandoned. |
But those same values are not dependent on religion. So, while people attribute them to religion, they are not unique to the religious. |
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| Halcyon+On+On |
I am no fan of the religious at all, but I also see the value in preserving it. It's an inexorable part of the human condition and has been perhaps one of the most consistent, historical components of our species, as well as one of the most signifcant proponents to science and the arts as we know them (at some point).
True, I don't think you must be religious to be "moral", but that doesn't mean I wish for traditions with such an extensive legacy to be completely dashed away from our world. |
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| MrJiveBoJingles |
I think it's more and more common to ignore death in favor of an emphasis on "eternal youth" and remaining "vital" and active into old age. There are two main death-denial mechanisms people use: you can say that death isn't really the end because you'll go to heaven or be reincarnated or whatever -- or you can tell yourself that death is real but doesn't matter, there's no reason to fear it, that what matters is living a fun and full life.
But I think for most people at some point the "eternal youth" illusion breaks and they have to acknowledge the fundamental truth that even if they have lots of fun and memorable experiences in their vital years, eventually they and everyone they love will decay and then die like everyone else before them. And that this will process will probably be quite painful. |
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| Halcyon+On+On |
| quote: | Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles
I think it's more and more common to ignore death in favor of an emphasis on "eternal youth" and remaining "vital" and active into old age. There are two main death-denial mechanisms people use: you can say that death isn't really the end because you'll go to heaven or be reincarnated or whatever -- or you can tell yourself that death is real but doesn't matter, there's no reason to fear it, that what matters is living a fun and full life.
But I think for most people at some point the "eternal youth" illusion breaks and they have to acknowledge the fundamental truth that even if they have lots of fun and memorable experiences in their vital years, eventually they and everyone they love will decay and then die like everyone else before them. And that this will process will probably be quite painful. |
I think this is utterly true as well, but I believe it has always been that way. Does modern living offer any more certain of an answer though? |
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| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by gehzumteufel
But those same values are not dependent on religion. So, while people attribute them to religion, they are not unique to the religious. |
Perhaps but they are disproportionately present with the religious.... charitable organizations, for example; battered women's and homeless shelters are mostly administered/funded by religious organizations, same with food banks and public hospitals (we're talking globally here but for the most part it is true even in North America). Would people replace these charitable organizations with non-religiously affiliated ones? One would presume so; however, the very fact that this hasn't happened yet would suggest that this is by no means certain. |
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