Quote:
Originally Posted by Unicorn
I guess religion is faith- along with commitment to the tennents of that religion.
I'm not sure why but for some reason mankind, unlike any other organism is aware of the existence of something not physically perceivable. Perhaps its just the fact that we can rationalize, we can ask the question "why am I here?" and our imagination allows us to develop "gods". But considering the beggining of human history as we are aware of it has been laced with the belief of the supernatural, it's odd to me that we evolved into something and now we need to evolve back out of it.
Of course there are things that we experience day to day that are equally unexplainable- like love. You can describe biologically what occurs when the "feeling" towards something(or someone) hits, we describe and observe the consequences of love on people and those around them, we all know what kind of irrational decision making comes about with love; I don't know that we can Explain it.
That prob doesn't make much sense, but to put it simply I guess what I believe is that religion and the belief in a higher power is what makes us human, it seems to be a prominent trademark to the species.
Anyhow, my two cents!
|
Well technically, Unicorn, some other animal species besides humans pass tests that suggest they are aware that others have minds (which aren't physically perceivable). Crows, for example, hide things when other crows are *not* watching, suggesting they are aware that other crows do not automatically know what they know. Human children fail this test until around age 3, after which time they start to realize that others have minds distinct from their own. So, humans appear to be one of a number of animal species that are aware of the existence of something not physically perceivable.
As for love, I feel that evolutionary biology explains quite well the bonding purpose love serves, allowing individuals who experience love to increase the likelihood that their children will survive to reproductive years, passing on the genes for the ability to love. Many animals, including humans, appear to experience the bonding and joy associated with their oxytocin levels rising due to the presence of a loved-one. Yes, love certainly can cause apparently irrational decision-making! Isn't it great?
But I feel the following bigger question can't be answered, and I agree with you about that: why is there any sensation or experience of being alive at all, including the experience of loving?
Also, I agree that people who believe in supernatural beings or in some universal "goodness" probably do so primarily because of "faith," not because of amazingly convincing proof. This is probably the main reason Christianity emphasizes having faith: the logical proof for the Bible's claims (or any religion's claims) is scanty. If the truth of a religious belief system such as Christianity were obvious, then the religion wouldn't have to keep on promoting having "faith," or trying to scare people into believing they can only obtain everlasting life if they believe Jesus is the son of a god.
I definitely agree that humans show a great creative ability and we love making up stories...but since I've never believed in any religion or higher power, I wouldn't say that belief in those make us human, though perhaps the
capacity for such belief does. I am an empty vessel in that regard, though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cardboard adolescent
I believe in the Invisible Pink Unicorn. And Discordianism is not a parody religion... it's also not not a parody religion...
|
I like the Invisible Pink Unicorn, Cardboard Adolescent! But, alas, I am not a believer in Her, either!
