Silly Religion

[Lacewing]

I think that people become disillusioned due to desire and these desires build up until people cannot reason properly....

Sounds true -- along with fear. Creating such a build-up that people cannot reason properly could explain why they cannot see a broader scope of the astounding implications of idol worship and religion.

as to the why and how, people fall in love with the wrong things and it ends in a regressive spiral.

That is true.

Little children are not looking for a god -- nor feeling separate from a god -- if no one puts that idea in their mind. Therefore, it seems obvious that stories about gods are made up and seeded/followed by adults. To explain or seek whatever it is they desire. It is adults who need such stories -- and there are countless religious experiences to choose from. Children, however, are still genuinely and naturally connected and spiritual without any of that. It's beautiful! That natural innate state of each being (which all of us still possess) could be a worthwhile remembrance for adults. What might we be capable of...if we weren't giving ourselves so completely to humankind's stories?

[Veritas Aequitas]

There is nothing 'humorous' with the above. It is the general facts and forms of how various religions are practiced in the world since long ago up the present time.

Well I'm sorry if you found no humor in it, and I hope you were not offended. I certainly warned the overly sensitive to avoid the article.

However, I must point out that I was only addressing one aspect of religion, the puerile absurdity of them all, which, "the general facts and forms of how various religions are practiced in the world since long ago," richly illustrate. Here is another of my views of religion you might find less offensive: "An Atheist's Defence of Christianity."

I did not state I am offended at all.

What I meant was;
Yes, religious people around the world do the utmost silliest things, but we should not take such behaviors as humorous. Rather we should take it seriously and dig deeper to find the root cause.

The article you linked above did not dig into the deeper root causes.

Personally, I believe, at this PRESENT phase [not for future], religion is a CRITICAL NECESSITY for the majority to deal with an inherent and UNAVOIDABLE existential crisis.

If we are to take certain religious behaviors as silly, we would not direct attention to their root cause[s] thus not digging deeper to find alternative solutions to deal with that inherent unavoidable existential crisis.

In the mean time while we are searching for fool proof alternatives, I agree with the author in the above article, Christianity [taking into account its cons] is the most optimal religion for the majority. It is preferable all Muslims should convert to Christianity - an overall pacifist religion.

However at the same time, humanity must strive hard to find fool proof [note] alternatives to replace religions in dealing with the unavoidable existential crisis.

[Lacewing]

humanity must strive hard to find fool proof [note] alternatives to replace religions in dealing with the unavoidable existential crisis.

What if religions are causing existential crises?

[Veritas Aequitas]

humanity must strive hard to find fool proof [note] alternatives to replace religions in dealing with the unavoidable existential crisis.

What if religions are causing existential crises?

The existential crisis is almost as close to the inherent and unavoidable need to breathe.
It is impossible for religion to cause the need to breathe and thus not cause the inherent unavoidable existential crisis.

[RCSaunders]

Yes, religious people around the world do the utmost silliest things, but we should not take such behaviors as humorous. Rather we should take it seriously and dig deeper to find the root cause.

The root cause is very simple. The vast majority of mankind is hopelessly ignorant and gullible. There is only one, "solution," and it is only possible to individuals. Every individual is capable of learning and understanding all one needs to live one's own life successfully in this world, but learning is hard work and means never accepting anything as true one does not understand why and how it is true. Most find it easier to just accept whatever their teachers teach them and to believe what their peers and neighbors believe, especially when they are taught they can evade responsibility for their own lives by surrendering to some superstition.

The human capacity for humor is the ability to see that what is regarded as evil is powerless to affect one's own ability to overcome it. Evil (such is the gross ignorance embraced by most of the world) is an evil, but it is no danger to any rational individual. When all the world is wringing its hands about the plight of mankind, the rational individual knows that, "plight," is the consequence of mankind's own individual choices and nothing to fear, and no danger to oneself. Laughing at that ignorance is overcoming it. Worrying about it is surrendering to evil.

[Eodnhoj7]

Reciprocity is the assumption and projection of patterns. As the assumption and projection of patterns it shares the same nature of the Golden Rule.

Now, that sentence doesn't even make sense.

When reciprocation occurs, a person assumes the patterns of behavior projected on them (ie a slap to the face) and projects the patterns back (ie a slap to the face).

The golden rule, do unto others as you would like to be treated requires an assumption of patterns (that which the person chooses to be) and the projection of these same patterns.

Both require a loop.

[Lacewing]

Yes, religious people around the world do the utmost silliest things, but we should not take such behaviors as humorous. Rather we should take it seriously and dig deeper to find the root cause.

The root cause is very simple. The vast majority of mankind is hopelessly ignorant and gullible. There is only one, "solution," and it is only possible to individuals. Every individual is capable of learning and understanding all one needs to live one's own life successfully in this world, but learning is hard work and means never accepting anything as true one does not understand why and how it is true. Most find it easier to just accept whatever their teachers teach them and to believe what their peers and neighbors believe, especially when they are taught they can evade responsibility for their own lives by surrendering to some superstition.

The human capacity for humor is the ability to see that what is regarded as evil is powerless to affect one's own ability to overcome it. Evil (such is the gross ignorance embraced by most of the world) is an evil, but it is no danger to any rational individual. When all the world is wringing its hands about the plight of mankind, the rational individual knows that, "plight," is the consequence of mankind's own individual choices and nothing to fear, and no danger to oneself. Laughing at that ignorance is overcoming it. Worrying about it is surrendering to evil.

That's just awesomely described.

Although, I do not like to think that the vast majority of mankind is hopelessly ignorant and gullible. I focus on the capability of oneself (that I think must be available to everyone) to artfully create and master amidst all the noise. Having a sense of humor is so huge for this Earthly experience. Sometimes one could laugh and laugh at ourselves and so much else. And within that laughter there can be so much love.

[Immanuel Can]

When reciprocation occurs, a person assumes the patterns of behavior projected on them (ie a slap to the face) and projects the patterns back (ie a slap to the face).

So far, so good...not seeing the "turn the other cheek" part, though. In the same Biblical discourse, that's there. And it sure ain't "reciprocity."

The golden rule,

That's the one I mean. You'll find that both Luke and Matthew say it went waaay beyond "reciprocity."

Sorry...you're just wrong. The Golden Rule isn't "reciprocal." It's not, "Do unto others the good or evil they do unto you." It's "Do unto others what you would want to be done to you," and beyond that, to "love your enemies," as well.

In fact, go to the earlier part of Jesus Christ's discourse, and you'll see that He flatly shuts down "reciprocity" as a principle. He says, "You've heard this, but I tell you it's wrong..."

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?..."

(Matthew 5: 43-46)

[Eodnhoj7]

When reciprocation occurs, a person assumes the patterns of behavior projected on them (ie a slap to the face) and projects the patterns back (ie a slap to the face).

So far, so good...not seeing the "turn the other cheek" part, though. In the same Biblical discourse, that's there. And it sure ain't "reciprocity."

It reciprocal when it is meant to shame or "put coals on the head" of someone.
Someone harms someone else and in turn the action is redirected back.

The golden rule,

That's the one I mean. You'll find that both Luke and Matthew say it went waaay beyond "reciprocity."

Sorry...you're just wrong. The Golden Rule isn't "reciprocal." It's not, "Do unto others the good or evil they do unto you." It's "Do unto others what you would want to be done to you," and beyond that, to "love your enemies," as well.

In fact, go to the earlier part of Jesus Christ's discourse, and you'll see that He flatly shuts down "reciprocity" as a principle. He says, "You've heard this, but I tell you it's wrong..."

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?..."

(Matthew 5: 43-46)

He demands the Golden rule which is a loop however.

Both the golden rule and reciprocity are loops.

[RCSaunders]

That's just awesomely described.

Although, I do not like to think that the vast majority of mankind is hopelessly ignorant and gullible. I focus on the capability of oneself (that I think must be available to everyone) to artfully create and master amidst all the noise. Having a sense of humor is so huge for this Earthly experience. Sometimes one could laugh and laugh at ourselves and so much else. And within that laughter there can be so much love

I don't like to think about human failings either, and I do not at all minimize the disaster human beings, both individually and collectively, make of their lives. If I could perform miracles I would make every human being wake up to their own potential and inspire them to use all their abilities to learn, work, achieve, and be all they could possibly be.

I do not laugh at the suffering and unhappiness of individuals. I laugh at the absurdities of their beliefs and practices which are the source of their troubles, because it would be wrong to pretend those beliefs and practices should be taken seriously, which would only encourage their continuation in their superstitions, which would be very unloving indeed.

Ah yes. I laugh at myself. Life is too seriously good to take the small annoyances and personal foibles seriously.

[Immanuel Can]

Both the golden rule and reciprocity are loops.

Nope. That's just wrong, as I pointed out.

[Eodnhoj7]

Both the golden rule and reciprocity are loops.

Nope. That's just wrong, as I pointed out.

Reciprocation is the repitition of behavior, first projected then projected back...it is a loop....

[Immanuel Can]

Reciprocation is the repitition of behavior, first projected then projected back...it is a loop....

That's not what the Golden Rule says, though. So the GR isn't "reciprocation," as you want to define it.

[Veritas Aequitas]

Yes, religious people around the world do the utmost silliest things, but we should not take such behaviors as humorous. Rather we should take it seriously and dig deeper to find the root cause.

The root cause is very simple. The vast majority of mankind is hopelessly ignorant and gullible. There is only one, "solution," and it is only possible to individuals. Every individual is capable of learning and understanding all one needs to live one's own life successfully in this world, but learning is hard work and means never accepting anything as true one does not understand why and how it is true. Most find it easier to just accept whatever their teachers teach them and to believe what their peers and neighbors believe, especially when they are taught they can evade responsibility for their own lives by surrendering to some superstition.

The human capacity for humor is the ability to see that what is regarded as evil is powerless to affect one's own ability to overcome it. Evil (such is the gross ignorance embraced by most of the world) is an evil, but it is no danger to any rational individual. When all the world is wringing its hands about the plight of mankind, the rational individual knows that, "plight," is the consequence of mankind's own individual choices and nothing to fear, and no danger to oneself. Laughing at that ignorance is overcoming it. Worrying about it is surrendering to evil.

You keep throwing in points that are irrelevant. I did not indicate I worry about it.

It is very silly for a jihadist to be a suicide bomber with the hope of a reward of 72 virgins.
You'll still laugh about it if it so happened your loved ones are among the jihadist's victims?
Such an evil consequence is not speculative but highly probable.

[RCSaunders]

Yes, religious people around the world do the utmost silliest things, but we should not take such behaviors as humorous. Rather we should take it seriously and dig deeper to find the root cause.

The root cause is very simple. The vast majority of mankind is hopelessly ignorant and gullible. There is only one, "solution," and it is only possible to individuals. Every individual is capable of learning and understanding all one needs to live one's own life successfully in this world, but learning is hard work and means never accepting anything as true one does not understand why and how it is true. Most find it easier to just accept whatever their teachers teach them and to believe what their peers and neighbors believe, especially when they are taught they can evade responsibility for their own lives by surrendering to some superstition.

The human capacity for humor is the ability to see that what is regarded as evil is powerless to affect one's own ability to overcome it. Evil (such is the gross ignorance embraced by most of the world) is an evil, but it is no danger to any rational individual. When all the world is wringing its hands about the plight of mankind, the rational individual knows that, "plight," is the consequence of mankind's own individual choices and nothing to fear, and no danger to oneself. Laughing at that ignorance is overcoming it. Worrying about it is surrendering to evil.

You keep throwing in points that are irrelevant. I did not indicate I worry about it.

I wasn't saying you worry about it. I was only making a general point.

But:

It is very silly for a jihadist to be a suicide bomber with the hope of a reward of 72 virgins.
You'll still laugh about it if it so happened your loved ones are among the jihadist's victims?
Such an evil consequence is not speculative but highly probable.

What you just said is worrying about it. The chance of a jihadist actually being a threat to me or mine is forty times less than by drowning and five times less than being killed by a policeman, and I know how to avoid both of those. I'm not worried about it. Are you?

Here are the odds: