Survival of civilization in danger because of Religion?

[Flagg]

Is the survival of civilization in danger because of a taboo against questioning religious beliefs today?

Rather than draw this into a "faith vs science" debate or simply quoting one liners like "if you dont believe in God you are damned" or "religious people are blind", is religion necessary to the development to mankind? Religion has been with mankind for a very long time, indeed modern religious beliefs can be compared to the myths of the Ancient Greeks, which were once accepted as fact but which are obsolete today. So does this suggest that in 2000 years time, the three major Abrahamic religions will be obsolete, only for something new to replace it? Is that wrong? Does that not tell anyone that humankind clings to some promise of an afterlife or does it tell us we need religion?

George Bush has invoked God in his speeches on Domestic or Foreign affairs, but would you not all think he was mad if he invoked Zeus instead? My biggest concern and I quote Sam Harris on this is:

polls showing that 44% of Americans believe it is either "certain" or "probable" that Jesus will return to Earth within the next fifty years. The same percentage believe that creationism should be taught in public schools and that God has literally promised the land of Israel to the modern-day Jews.

Such unfounded beliefs, often sheltered from objective criticism, impede planning a sustainable future

This really concerns me. That people really believe this will happen and would put all their eggs into this one basket. It's like Climate Change, should we do anything about it or not? I personally believe we should act as if it is our problem only because we don't have another planet to run the experiment, and we can only find out the result of global warming one way. It will either be nothing or result in disaster and I think the risk is far too high to take. Now how many people here that are religious are actually prepared to put your complete faith in your God to save us from sea level rise if it happens?

The "War on Terror" is something that is quite laughable. While people in the West will say that Islam is a religion of Peace and at the same time declare "War on Terror", why can't the West simply say its at War with Radical Islam? There was no War on Terror before 9/11.

I understand that religion gives a lot of people meaning in life, that it gives them something to feel good about, but if we are to truly progress and become civilised then I think religion should be slowly phased out. There are a lot of people quick to point out democracy, and how democracy is being removed, but when has there ever been democratic beliefs in any religion?

I have a week off before returning to Uni and im done with my summer job so naturally I have a lot of time on my hands!

[MuscleScience]

I believe civilization is more in danger from a lack of faith more than anything.

[Flagg]

I believe civilization is more in danger from a lack of faith more than anything.

How so? Lack of faith in itself or because more people should have a religion?

[MuscleScience]

How so? Lack of faith in itself or because more people should have a religion?

Lack of faith, when you really boil down all religions it is merely a sophisticated code of laws to make people act in a conducive manner to the society. If someone knows that they can break all of Man's laws and death is the worst punishment then by being killed that person is relieved of his crime. But if you break God's laws, death is a stepping stone to an eternity of punishment. Having the fear of living life then answering for ones crimes after death is a powerful deterrent to deviant behavior.

[Flagg]

Lack of faith, when you really boil down all religions it is merely a sophisticated code of laws to make people act in a conducive manner to the society. If someone knows that they can break all of Man's laws and death is the worst punishment then by being killed that person is relieved of his crime. But if you break God's laws, death is a stepping stone to an eternity of punishment. Having the fear of living life then answering for ones crimes after death is a powerful deterrent to deviant behavior.

And I would say that religion has encouraged attrocious deviant behaviour if you take the Inquisition, Witch Hunters of old and Suicide Bombers today. I mean what is the point of life if you have to live a life of fear, only to wonder if you're going to end up in Hell or the Celestial equivalent of North Korea where you have to pray to the leader from dawn till dusk.

[MuscleScience]

And I would say that religion has encouraged attrocious deviant behaviour if you take the Inquisition, Witch Hunters of old and Suicide Bombers today. I mean what is the point of life if you have to live a life of fear, only to wonder if you're going to end up in Hell or the Celestial equivalent of North Korea where you have to pray to the leader from dawn till dusk.

Very true but that deviant behavior is more directed to those outside of that religion or society. For the vast majority of believers of whatever religion, I would say it works deter bad behavior on a day to day basis. I am not saying its the best way to go about things. I am only giving my take on what, how, why ect on why people have religion. I believe it to be the most basic reason for having a belief system.

[Flagg]

Very true but that deviant behavior is more directed to those outside of that religion or society. For the vast majority of believers of whatever religion, I would say it works deter bad behavior on a day to day basis. I am not saying its the best way to go about things. I am only giving my take on what, how, why ect on why people have religion. I believe it to be the most basic reason for having a belief system.

Which is why I think religion is detrimental to civilisation. Prehaps if the focus of faith was shifted from religion to ourselves that would be a start in the right direction.