This is about the third post on this topic I have seen spring up in the pre-allo forums first off... I don't have time to get links out and who knows they might have been previously moved to the lounge like this one will inevitably.
Alright... so first things first I am an agnostic and I am a true agnostic not some atheist in desguise. I have read lots of primary and secondary literature on most of the major religions and here is my honest opinion. Second, I am a Sam Harris follower and I loved his book The End of Faith which should be better titled as The End of Reason.
Organized religion is a very almost retrograde and anachronistic way of viewing the world. It is divisive, murders, and controls people all over the world. Muslims fight Hindus, Christians fight Muslims, etc. People would say, "Oh, those are just extremists" but by being a "moderate" what are you doing? Supporting the propaganda that contributes to why there are extremists. Moreover, you let our political system be run by morally corrupt people and be hijacked by agendas that are so flagrantly Christian-based in what is supposed to be a pluralistic and secular system. You moderates may also say, but look at the US we don't have violence here over religion. Well that is because we are first world developed country that has a judiciary and economic system that is very secular compared to our society. Look across the globe outside our country at the conflicts and the vast majority are religion-based.
Also, organized religion is built on tautological arguments. Ministers tell you things and you believe them. Hell, most Christians haven't even read the bible front to back. Those who have, use excerpts and most use the logic that "it says it in this book, so it must be true". Now, why does this logic make sense for the bible... reason and religion seemed to no go hand in hand. If it was any other argument questioning would be made. The counterargument is of course, "this is the word of God, therefore I believe it verbatim" Well you moderates out there listen up because if this is the word of God how in the hell can you attest evolution exists? You are inclined to disagree based upon your own biblical text! Then you may say, oh well figuratively speaking this is the word of God. To this I say, if this is the word of God, then why is contradicting, violent, and downright incoherent coming from an "omnipotent, omniscient, supernatural being".
Now, you moderates will probably hate me for this, but the point is... reason and religion do not mix in many ways.
I must also point out that it is important to demarcate spirituality from organzied religion. I believe that faith in an afterlife, the soul, if there is a supernatural being is very different than following a text written two thousand years ago that is anachronistic in the presence of the growing knowledge we have about our natural world. The truth is, a spiritual journey is a quest for experience and knowledge. Coming to terms with things that you can't explain and understanding those that we can using reason. If you cannot grow comfortable with things like mortality using reason, but rather use tautologically based arguments all you are doing is creating an insulated shell of ignorance for you to live within. Organized religion has many problems with it that I haven't touched. Here I bring up just a few to highlight that believing that there is one word of God, this is it, and all you other bitches are going to hell and burning for eternity for not believing in it, seems like a rather ridiculous argument in any other context but when it comes to religion in our society. Now we all need to ask ourselves what the hell has led our society to come to this.
So, I am an agnostic that says the following: I do not follow organized religion. I use science, reason, and intuition as means to understand my consciousness, perception, reality, relationships, and the world around me. Evolution is real and actually happens. Is there a supernatural force? Well, if there is I have come to terms with the fact that I do not have the knowledge or capabilities of knowing or understanding if there is based upon my current status. The answer is: I DON'T KNOW. Reason cannot enter this discussion. This is a matter of faith and if you are to answer this without doubt with a "yes" or a "no" your argument is not grounded in facts but rather tautological statements of nothingness. So, where does that leave an agnostic like me? I believe that people are inherently good and bad. Human nature and morality have evolved in conjunction with out consciousness and further studies will proves this in my lifetime. Studies have already begun to bring evidence for the evolution of altruism and why it exists. Moreover, neurologically speaking I believe science will discover a lot of higher cortical process and begin to understand complex things like emotion soon. Then maybe we can find out the basis for love, happiness, etc. But for now, I have come to terms with saying, "I do not know what these higher processes are based on, what neurotransmitter compositions, and signaling makes them occur in my brain, but hopefully we will know someday."
The poinst is. Feel comfortable with saying I don't know and maintain optimism for tomorrow. That is what a scientist does. That is what makes you go to work day to day. To learn something you don't know. Quench that curiosity and hope one day you can understand love, life, and the world in a more whole way. Everyone searches for ways to feel whole. My opinion: Knowledge, wisdom, and intuiton are what you need. Not tautologically based opinions fed to you on Sundays.
Thats my tyraid. Have a good day!
😀 😀
