are Religious people mentally Ill?

BigG
Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:35:21 +0000

Please note that 300 years ago “science” had no clue that ultraviolet light existed. The technology and scientific theories necessary to detect and explain electromagnetic waves beyond the visible spectrum did not exist. The idea that there is no God because our technology is unable to detect it/him/her/them is naive and arrogant. You really cannot prove a negative. A rational position would be that there is no convincing evidence for a God so the question remains open.

Humans interface with “physical reality” through the medium of our five senses and the thought constructs we devise based on this data. Sight is detection of electromagnetic radiation. Hearing is detection of atmospheric vibrations or pressure waves. Touch is mechanical displacement of nerve fibers. Taste and smell are chemical interactions with cellular receptors. The idea that we can completely establish and understand the nature and structure of reality through these limited mediums is very optimistic.

Science has made many false starts. Phlogiston theory comes readily to mind but there have been others. Generally new theories that represent a quantum leap forward in understanding are resisted by the scientific establishment. Work that is a relatively small step forward from existing dogma is usually embraced. This reminds me of the behavior of religious establishments in dealing with new revelations.

The best argument for their being some actual value to religion is that there has never, never been a great athiest society/culture. The old Soviet Union tried it back before World War II. The birth rate declined and no one would fight for Mother Russia. The Soviets had to allow religion to defeat the National Socialists from Germany.

In any conflict, the tribe with a God will kick the ass of the tribe without a God. It does not even matter whether the God is a real God unless the conflict is with a tribe that has a “real” God. The military success of Christians might be an argument for the validity of the Christian God.

Religion works to order and restrict the baser impulses of humanity by imposing an external moral absolute. If anyone thinks humanity can be more that feral savages squatting in the ruins of once great faith based (or rationalized) civilizations then they are pre-susposing the existence of a “moral compass” in humanity for which there is even less evidence than that for a white bearded Jehovah figure.