Introducing the brain: religions' effects (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, May 13, 2021, 15:52 (1288 days ago) @ dhw

DAVID: My simple belief comes from the necessity for intricate biochemical design must have a designing mind.

dhw: I totally respect your reasoning and your belief, and in your books you very wisely steer clear of organized religion and the many different types of designer(s) envisaged by believers. I’d be interested to know your own feelings about what I see as the author’s blinkered views on the good effects of religion.

DAVID: It seems to me you always look at the bad. As a kid my religion taught me to be a good person. The fighting in Israel and Gaza currently is Iran pushing Hamas.

dhw: I wrote: "I fully accept that some people derive great comfort from belief in a loving superpower, and I also accept that some religions encourage and perform wonderful acts of humanitarian good. But I object very strongly to the implication that religion lies at the heart of all that is beneficial to humans. It also lies at the heart of much that is bad for humans. In fact it is only as “humanitarian” as the individuals who practise it."

The article focused solely on the good, and as usual I attempted to restore the balance. Firstly, people can be “good” without being religious, and secondly religion itself can be the source of appalling suffering. This ranges from the religion-inspired wars and persecutions of the past to the religion-inspired terrorism of today. On a personal note, when I was a kid, the Jewish religion taught me to be afraid of God. At least some forms of Christianity put love before fear, though all too frequently Christianity too has set an example of prejudice and intolerance. But I am not denying the good teachings, and I am not denying the good deeds. I am asking for a fair balance. As for Israel, the fighting is not about religion, so I don’t know why you’ve mentioned it here.

To cover the last point first, Israel is a Jewish state, and Hamas is Muslim group determined to destroy Israel. Two fighting religions. Next, my Jewish childhood teaching never made me fearful of God. And I agree all religious wars are wrong.