Believers and Non-Believers, which Traits of Religion do You Appreciate?

[MSizer]

Hey All,

I will be briefly speaking to a mixed crowd of religious and non-religious folks in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking for points to make which support the idea that regardless as to whether god exists, religion is valuable. My personal thoughts are that religions have played significant roles in developping culture, have traditionally assisted people develop their moral sense, and that religious groups are frequently involved with charity efforts.

Now, of course there are many things in history for which religion should not be proud, but I'm not concerned about those things in this particular thread.

Ideas anyone?

Thanks,
Mike.

[Wandered Off]

It can be nice to share a deep connection with a group of people. I sometimes find ritual comforting too.

[JMorris]

i like some religiously inspired art

[Mr Cheese]

art (as has been mentioned)
music
architecture
attitudes toward our fellow people (morals, the golden rule for example)
and of course....FOOOOD

[Just_me_Mike]

Originally Posted by MSizer

Hey All,

I will be briefly speaking to a mixed crowd of religious and non-religious folks in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking for points to make which support the idea that regardless as to whether god exists, religion is valuable. My personal thoughts are that religions have played significant roles in developping culture, have traditionally assisted people develop their moral sense, and that religious groups are frequently involved with charity efforts.

Now, of course there are many things in history for which religion should not be proud, but I'm not concerned about those things in this particular thread.

Ideas anyone?

Thanks,
Mike.

In the context in which you speak of religion here, it is as valuable as any other man made idea. You can find value in just about anything. For example during the Holocaust, there were many feats of bravery and decency that would have perhaps never been exemplified if the holocaust did not happen.

In other words, you are simply asking does the man made version of religion have it's pluses and minuses. The answer has to be an astounding yes, because most all man made idea have both.

Sorry I know this post is useless but I had to say it anyway.

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by MSizer

Hey All,

I will be briefly speaking to a mixed crowd of religious and non-religious folks in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking for points to make which support the idea that regardless as to whether god exists, religion is valuable. My personal thoughts are that religions have played significant roles in developping culture, have traditionally assisted people develop their moral sense, and that religious groups are frequently involved with charity efforts.

Now, of course there are many things in history for which religion should not be proud, but I'm not concerned about those things in this particular thread.

Ideas anyone?

Thanks,
Mike.

It gives many people a sense of tradition and continuity which can create a sense of connection with family and community.

Many people derive a sense of security and protection from religion which can help them get through difficult times or handle tough problems.

Some people are inspired by religion which drives them to accomplish things they might not otherwise.

Obviously, these things are not specific to religion, but certainly can be attributed to religion in some cases, for some people.

[Gentoo]

I like the feeling of belonging. I can't imagine how that can be worthless...

[Mr Cheese]

oh yeah....

some religions include mandatory sex

Judaism for example, maintains mandatory sex once a week for followers...on a certain day...
cept during menstruation

can't beat garunteed nookie

[MountainHumanist]

I like the idea of shared community and I suspect that is what draws many people. In fact, except for the communal prayers, the sacraments and hymns, most churches I have visited are very much about social cohesion and fellowship.

Usually, theology is really lip service. When I was a practicing Christian, the times when I "got in trouble" at churches were the time when I urged members to really act like Jesus was purported to have acted and help the poor, imprisoned and needy. Cold response usually (unless it involved just a donation). I currently attend a UCC church (read ultra-liberal). I don't wear my atheism on my sleeve (don't ask, don't tell) but I will share if anyone brings it up. This group mostly treats the religion as it should be treated — a series of instructional or cautionary myths that really reveal more human nature than divine. One thing I love about them is they accept people even if they know they do not share all the same beliefs.

Other things I like about religion are the myths themselves. When taken as a collection of myths rather than a book of commands, the Bible becomes much more fascinating. It can be studied as a story of religious development and can be compared with other religions as well as showing how it integrated parts of other religions (i.e. Sumerian, Zoroatriasim, possibly Buddhism, Greek Cynicism, Pythagorianism, mystery cults [Dionysis, Attis, Sol Invictus], Egyptian, et. al). Once you break out of the literalist mold, the Bible becomes so vibrant. I am an atheist who is a huge fan of the Bible (and all religious texts — except the boring ones).

Finally, I love the expectation surrounding religions. I have an active imagination that constantly says "What if?" and I like how religious people have that same active relationship with the possibility of the transcendent. It may surprise some but nothing would thrill me more if we found out some powerful entity created the universe ex nihilo. It would raise more questions like "What created the Creator?" I'm the kind of guy who can watch a good movie or read a good book about the paranormal or sci-fi and think: What if that were real? I know that no evidence exists for anything woo woo but What if? Every time we make new discoveries about the universe, we find the universe is weirder than we thought. What if the events in Star Wars are historical and were passed down embedded in certain minds like Lucas? Not likely but What if?

What if there are really superheroes? What if Jesus were an alien or really was the son of the creator god? Same goes for Buddha or Mohammed.

What if all religions are wrong except..say the ancient Greeks? What if all the ancient god stories are based on alien colonization? What if? One reason I love myths so much is that certain chill quality..what if?

I like what Alan Watts said about faith:

Faith is a state of openness or trust. To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float. And the attitude of faith is the very opposite of clinging to belief, of holding on. In other words, a person who is fanatic in matters of religion, and clings to certain ideas about the nature of God and the universe, becomes a person who has no faith at all. Instead they are holding tight. But the attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be.

[BruceDLimber]

Greetings! :-)

I'm a Baha'i, and things I especially appreciate are:

• the stress on unity (of God, humanity, and religion) in the Baha'i Faith,
• its peacefulness and prohibition on waging war,
• its deep respect for other religions (a HUGE contrast with many other groups!),
• its stress on the harmony of science and religion,
• its avoidance and condemnation of partisan politics while promoting and maintaining a fully democratic administrative system, and
• (as icing on the cake for me personally), its great respect for the arts, especially music!

Best! :-)

Bruce