What is the point of religion?
21 Jan '24 15:08The point of religion is to be free to serve the God or gods of a religion. Here it serves to have arguments and points for debating with those who ask what's the point of religion?
Obviously there is more than one singe point. The question heading the thread should have read, What are the points of religion? It needed to be more explicit as to the objective(s) for having created the thread.
There are many sources from which to draw the points. What is the point can be drawn as to the essence of religion. The essence being why does it exist? It can very well be the work of nature which created religion. And thereafter using the essence (existence) to make many points out of religion.
The general consensus floating around the world today would tell us that religion exists for a variety of reasons, ranging from social cohesion and moral guidance to providing a framework for understanding and interpreting the world around us. Here are some of the main reasons:
Pro-sociality: Religion often serves as a social tool, enabling people to live in large, cooperative societies. It encourages individuals to be charitable and fair towards each other, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. For instance, research has shown that individuals who participate in a world religion tend to be more fair towards strangers in economic games compared to those who are not religious.
Neural Underpinnings: Religion can influence our neural responses. Studies have shown that writing about religion can lower the "uh-oh" response, suggesting that religion may help people become calmer and less anxious. Moreover, religious people are often less prone to depression and anxiety, leading to a longer, healthier life.
Morality and Social Order: Religion often provides moral guidance and helps maintain social order. Through stories and rituals, religions have built on five basic moral foundations: Do no harm, play fairly, be loyal to your group, respect authority, and live purely. These moral principles help unite people and allow them to live together cooperatively.
Explanation for the Unknown: Religion offers explanations for what we don't understand. It provides a framework for interpreting natural events and phenomena, offering a sense of order and predictability in a world that can often seem chaotic and unpredictable.
Evolutionary Strategy for Survival: Some researchers suggest that religion may be a byproduct of the way our brains work, growing from cognitive tendencies to seek order from chaos, to anthropomorphize our environment, and to believe the world around us was created for our use. Religion may have helped us form increasingly larger social groups, held together by common beliefs.
Group Living and Survival: From a Darwinian perspective, religion can be seen as an evolutionary strategy for group living and survival. By fostering cooperation and altruism within groups, religion may have contributed to the success of early human societies.
It's important to note that these are not exhaustive explanations, and the existence of religion is a complex issue with many facets. Each of these points offers a unique perspective on why religion exists, and together they provide a comprehensive understanding of its various roles and functions in society.
Obviously religion has its negative points, as history and current events will show. But that depends on the point as to how it's abused in its uses. It's just another tool to be used with caution and control. When religion is in the wrong hands, it can cause a lot of damage, rather than good.
Religion, like any other tool or institution, can be misused or manipulated by those in power for their own gain. This can lead to harmful consequences, such as conflicts, persecutions, and discrimination. It's crucial to approach religion with critical thinking and to ensure that it promotes tolerance, equality, and peace.
Now, with that said, let the bickering begin. Personal cons and pros as to the worldly general consensus?
Obviously there is more than one singe point. The question heading the thread should have read, What are the points of religion? It needed to be more explicit as to the objective(s) for having created the thread.
There are many sources from which to draw the points. What is the point can be drawn as to the essence of religion. The essence being why does it exist? It can very well be the work of nature which created religion. And thereafter using the essence (existence) to make many points out of religion.
The general consensus floating around the world today would tell us that religion exists for a variety of reasons, ranging from social cohesion and moral guidance to providing a framework for understanding and interpreting the world around us. Here are some of the main reasons:
Pro-sociality: Religion often serves as a social tool, enabling people to live in large, cooperative societies. It encourages individuals to be charitable and fair towards each other, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. For instance, research has shown that individuals who participate in a world religion tend to be more fair towards strangers in economic games compared to those who are not religious.
Neural Underpinnings: Religion can influence our neural responses. Studies have shown that writing about religion can lower the "uh-oh" response, suggesting that religion may help people become calmer and less anxious. Moreover, religious people are often less prone to depression and anxiety, leading to a longer, healthier life.
Morality and Social Order: Religion often provides moral guidance and helps maintain social order. Through stories and rituals, religions have built on five basic moral foundations: Do no harm, play fairly, be loyal to your group, respect authority, and live purely. These moral principles help unite people and allow them to live together cooperatively.
Explanation for the Unknown: Religion offers explanations for what we don't understand. It provides a framework for interpreting natural events and phenomena, offering a sense of order and predictability in a world that can often seem chaotic and unpredictable.
Evolutionary Strategy for Survival: Some researchers suggest that religion may be a byproduct of the way our brains work, growing from cognitive tendencies to seek order from chaos, to anthropomorphize our environment, and to believe the world around us was created for our use. Religion may have helped us form increasingly larger social groups, held together by common beliefs.
Group Living and Survival: From a Darwinian perspective, religion can be seen as an evolutionary strategy for group living and survival. By fostering cooperation and altruism within groups, religion may have contributed to the success of early human societies.
It's important to note that these are not exhaustive explanations, and the existence of religion is a complex issue with many facets. Each of these points offers a unique perspective on why religion exists, and together they provide a comprehensive understanding of its various roles and functions in society.
Obviously religion has its negative points, as history and current events will show. But that depends on the point as to how it's abused in its uses. It's just another tool to be used with caution and control. When religion is in the wrong hands, it can cause a lot of damage, rather than good.
Religion, like any other tool or institution, can be misused or manipulated by those in power for their own gain. This can lead to harmful consequences, such as conflicts, persecutions, and discrimination. It's crucial to approach religion with critical thinking and to ensure that it promotes tolerance, equality, and peace.
Now, with that said, let the bickering begin. Personal cons and pros as to the worldly general consensus?
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