What makes one religion more valid than another? (followers, America)

[fantôme profane]

Originally Posted by Riverwolf

... by the way, about separating pseudo-science from real science being a very important skill, and one that a person such as me really needs. I'm not at all anti-science, quite the contrary. My own beliefs do have science in them. You might not believe me because of what I've been saying the last few posts, but when you think about it, science is as diverse as religion. I believe ghosts are scientifically able to be studied, and have a physical existence that can be scientifically measured. I don't know what they are exactly nor do I know even whether or not they're actually the spirits of dead people.

Sorry to jump in here and possibly take this thread off topic for a bit, but I wanted to make a comment about this.

You are quite correct that it is theoretically possible to study ghosts in a scientific manner. And there have been quite a few interesting studies done in this area. But where you want to be extremely careful is when you see those so called ghost hunters that run around supposedly haunted buildings with electronic devices detecting electromagnetic fields and taking photos or video recordings of “ghosts”. That would be pseudo-science. What they are doing is using scientific jargon in ways that sound good, but make no sense. The are using real scientific electronic devices in ways that again make no sense. The are getting results that they themselves claim to be unexplained (but which would have simply mundane explanations if anyone actually looked for them). And then they jump from what they claim has no explanation to directly to an unfounded conclusion. This is classic pseudo-science.

[Paraprakrti]

Originally Posted by TempleZionBoi-Rom.10:3

Not All religions believe in Heaven& Hell Or even the exsistance of God, But If you're refering to the ones who believe in the MOST HIGH GOD,then there is only ONE way to serve him

To serve Him is the one way.

[logician]

Originally Posted by fantôme profane

Sorry to jump in here and possibly take this thread off topic for a bit, but I wanted to make a comment about this.

You are quite correct that it is theoretically possible to study ghosts in a scientific manner. And there have been quite a few interesting studies done in this area. But where you want to be extremely careful is when you see those so called ghost hunters that run around supposedly haunted buildings with electronic devices detecting electromagnetic fields and taking photos or video recordings of “ghosts”. That would be pseudo-science. What they are doing is using scientific jargon in ways that sound good, but make no sense. The are using real scientific electronic devices in ways that again make no sense. The are getting results that they themselves claim to be unexplained (but which would have simply mundane explanations if anyone actually looked for them). And then they jump from what they claim has no explanation to directly to an unfounded conclusion. This is classic pseudo-science.

Especially when they set up the sitution by making a statement when entering a supposedly haunted room like, "please indicate you presence by making a noise, or some visual effect, we are not here to hurt you", in essence a statement in advance they believe in ghosts even though they say they are unbiased.

[science_is_my_god]

Originally Posted by Bishadi

put 2 and 2 together and guess what......... eventually the sciences will remove the need of religions

Nobody needs religion, therefor there is no "need" of religion for science to remove.

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by science_is_my_god

Nobody needs religion, therefor there is no "need" of religion for science to remove.

Not necessarily true. You might not need religion, but some people need it. Don't forget that life is hard, and not everybody can live with that. Some people need a reason for suffering. Some people need a god to turn to for help and comfort, especially those in war.

Don't forget that scientifically, EVERYTHING that humans have ever done, all our great achievements, our stories, poetry, works of art, scientific endeavors, all that will be gone someday. As far as time is concerned, we're nothing. We'll be forgotten. 50 million years from now, nothing that humans did will still be around, erased from existence.

Some people don't like that thought. They need to know that they'll have done something that time will remember, whether or not it's true. In my opinion, even if all religion is delusional, it's a delusion that helps people through life.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by Riverwolf

Not necessarily true. You might not need religion, but some people need it. Don't forget that life is hard, and not everybody can live with that. Some people need a reason for suffering. Some people need a god to turn to for help and comfort, especially those in war..

Don't forget that scientifically, EVERYTHING that humans have ever done, all our great achievements, our stories, poetry, works of art, scientific endeavors, all that will be gone someday. As far as time is concerned, we're nothing. We'll be forgotten. 50 million years from now, nothing that humans did will still be around, erased from existence.

Some people don't like that thought. They need to know that they'll have done something that time will remember, whether or not it's true. In my opinion, even if all religion is delusional, it's a delusion that helps people through life.

Congratulations.
You have just reduced religion to nothing more than a security blanket

[Sententia]

Originally Posted by Mestemia

Congratulations.
You have just reduced religion to nothing more than a security blanket

Heh... Good show Linus. (Charlie brown reference)...

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by Mestemia

Congratulations.
You have just reduced religion to nothing more than a security blanket

Religion is more than that. Being a "security blanket" is but one aspect of it. It's also a collection of stories, social rituals, spiritual enlightenment journeys, BEAUTIFUL music, inspirations, and so much more. (at least in my opinion) But really, is there something wrong with security blankets? I'd still have mine if it didn't get all torn.

[Sententia]

Originally Posted by Riverwolf

Religion is more than that. Being a "security blanket" is but one aspect of it. It's also a collection of stories, social rituals, spiritual enlightenment journeys, BEAUTIFUL music, inspirations, and so much more. (at least in my opinion) But really, is there something wrong with security blankets? I'd still have mine if it didn't get all torn.

Its a security blanket and a grateful dead concert. Woot!

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by BalanceFx

Its a security blanket and a grateful dead concert. Woot!

Clearly, you've never heard Bach. Or at least not Toccata and Fugue in D. Minor played at full blast. Oh, and The Silmarillion? It has Christian undertones all over it. (Tolkien was a devout Catholic) What about sociality? I've met many great people through a friend's family church whom I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

Greatful Dead isn't the only music in the world, you know. Though non-American metal is very much inspired by religion. You ever hear Nightwish? They're a Finnish metal group that are incredible. Almost like Opera.