Religion: pros & cons (Religion)

by dhw, Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 09:16 (714 days ago) @ David Turell

Religion pros and cons

QUOTE: "In any case, one clear implication of this research is that a person’s sense that their life is meaningful depends on their perceptions of their own significance. But a person can be significant in various ways. Hence, those seeking to lead more meaningful lives would do well to seek out ways in which they can matter – whether that means mattering to other individuals, to their communities, or perhaps even in the grand scheme of the Universe."

dhw: […] In my view it is not so much a question of my own significance, but of what is important to me. If it is important to me that I raise a happy family, enjoy my work, and my football team wins, then therein lies my “meaning”. I hope that whatever is meaningful to me will be of benefit to others, and if I’m applauded by others, then that will enhance the meaningfulness of what I do, but it still comes back to what matters to me. If it is important for someone to feel that they are important to the universe, then religion is probably the only way they’ll satisfy their self-centred desire, but otherwise the only unique “pro” that I can think of is the blind faith that enables people to believe that no matter what misery they may endure in this life, God will somehow make it all come right in the end. Such personal comfort is priceless. All the other “pros” are available outside of religion, and I should add that in view of the appalling consequences of certain religious beliefs (e.g. the Inquisition and the Crusades right through to modern terrorism in the name of God) – the article is a little short on the “cons”!

DAVID: For me the real issue is the answer to the question, 'why am I here'? Certainly, to enjoy what life offers as you note. However, there is another answer. The background of parental teaching tells me how to treat others. Now the final answer is to find the purpose behind your arrival. To contribute to others to enforce our communal interdependence. As you can see from our discussions, I look to purpose in the universe.

Enjoyment was not the only thing I noted. The question concerned the meaning of life, and my point was that this was totally subjective, and did not depend on “perceptions of [our] own significance”, but on what was important to us. If you think the purpose of life is to help others and foster social interdependence (which I too would applaud, and mentioned in my response) then that is what gives your life meaning. And you don’t need religion to do it. But if someone else thinks that the acquisition of wealth at the expense of others is the most important thing, then that will constitute his/her “meaning” or “purpose”. Purpose in the universe is certainly a province of religion but, as I pointed out above, this can lead to plenty of cons – not to mention fierce disagreements on an agnostic website!