- John Locke
- New York, NY
- United States
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Religion and why we believe in it.
Religion - A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
My professor once said the religion was created to explain the unknown, the unknown being what happens when we die, is the earth flat, are we the center of the universe, why are we here, etc. But over the years, some of these answers have been answered by science.
My question is, do you think that, eventually, religion will be replaced with science? Will people try to answer every question scientifically or will religion stay the reason for these difficult questions?
Paul Lillebo
Ed Schulte 50+
Yes well it was once upon a Century past, trendy to quote
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941
US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)
but indeed science / and observation / by HUmans/ has covered significant realms/ barriers since 1941
where, in past, only HUman "imagination"....and as always Higher consciousness has always gone.....eg Neutrinos do appear to take "short cuts" in higher "realms" and arrive at destination faster the light. HUman imagination can now shift to higher "realms" as well.
Jom Bunsiri
edward long 100+
Religion: (n.) Those human activities performed for the purpose of interacting with that which is supernatural.
Science: (n.) Those human activities performed for the purpose of understanding that which is natural.
If Science were to delve into the supernatural it would become Religion.
If Religion dabbles in the natural it remains Religion.
Ed Schulte 50+
Religion (as a word) is derived from the ancient Greek relergro ...used to express "return to origin"
which is what all HUman are ..whether consciously aware of it of not.
So every HUman activity be it "Religion" or "Science" or its word spins "Religious Science" etc have never been separate...cannot be separate ...but for whatever the lower mind's "thinking(s)" have created. All manfested for its own Egoic reasons.
edward long 100+
E G 10+
Monty Hall
1) Self-actualization. Religion is often a way for people to reach their full potential as contributing human beings. Many religious factions have a very positive influence on their surrounding communities because they make an effort to do so by reaching out to those communities. This is an example of self-actualization as a group, and it also translates into self-actualization in individual members of that group.
2) Support. In times of crisis, many religious people turn to their church (or mosque, synagogue, etc.) for help. By relying on their religious community, they can find meaning and comfort in whatever plight they face at that time.
I'm sure there are many more functions, but those are the main two that I have seen. These are much more personal than simply an explanation for our world. Therefore, I believe that science will not replace religion. However, I do think it will change what it means to be religious, and that the religious community will evolve as a result of scientific advancement. Religion has been evolving for millennia due to scientific progress, and I think that it will continue to do so.
Christophe Cop 500+
A community that is based on our actual knowledge of the world would be great (Like TED, or Humanist and other secular organisations)
Though there is a lot to learn from religion that needs to be incorporated (Cfr Alain De Boton).
I do hope religion will gradually cease to exist (or rather: that current religions abandon their dogma and false beliefs)
Raya Gh
And do we really want that to happen, even if science can explain every single thing in this universe it would be terrible for human beings to let go of the one non materialistic factor in our very materialistic lives.
Jon Matlock
Gerald O'brian 50+
It's a very tough trick to learn : you need the right kind of institutions, serious education and probably some kind of creativity. So religions are still dominant, just as there are more bears on all fours than bears on tricycles.
But progress is being made. Not so long ago, I would've suffered ostracism for having learnt this trick.
Nicholas Lukowiak 50+
Scott Armstrong 50+
But at least we'll have a logical and rational view of existence and permission to ignore what we can't measure in the lab.
Ed Schulte 50+
It would be useful to look at the origin of the word.
Latin "religio " re - ligio ......meaning "return to origin"
So to now reply to your question.....if there is ever a system (scientific or other) that can "return" on to the infinite "origin" then it is probable that HUmans ( Homo sapian - sapiens ) will no use the word "Religion" any more.
But I, for one, suspect they will still gather in groups for the purpose of enhancing the "returning to infinite origin"
Guillaume Regis
If you are talking about the middle east I don't see science replacing religion as there are/were many Islamic scholars of science so naturally science and religion will sit side by side. I recently saw a recent documentary witch featured a Saudi geneticist, to all intent and purposes he was a devout Muslim. I was actually in church this morning, it was a Catholic one but I have no bias as I also go to a Church of England one. The church was quite full which sometimes surprises me as we are told we are living in secular times. My brand of faith if I can call it that is very tolerant, for me it does not matter where I pray as I will often say prayers in an Islamic mosque on a Friday with my colleagues too.
My faith is not about rigidly sticking to doctrines, judging and having set rules my faith is about praising the creator, honouring the family and contributing to the wider community. Yes I do go to church for social reasons nothing wrong with this, and I also like to hear sermons and to help if I can in the local community. In the mosque many old friends and acquaintances will meet up exchange gossip, read some text and perhaps buy some oil, this is a social thing so where does science fit in? also in the churches I go to, we can donate food for harvest festival, have our kids in the play centre have a chat or volunteer to help the homeless. Where does science fit in? in other words people don’t go to worship because of just worship, there are many factors (including getting your child in a faith school)
Many people in good times and bad like to go to church, I don’t think talking about replacing church wit
Frans Kellner 100+
I like your approach of church and community.
Yet bit by bit all churches are closing and communities fall apart here in Holland.
The best way to prevent this is to get all religions together in the community.
Guillaume Regis
Robert Galway 30+
Forever is a long time, so perhaps there will be tragedy, triumph and world events that permit widespread acceptance of a scientific explanation. However, it would seem unlikely that ALL people would abandon faith based beliefs.