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Are Humans Their Own Worst Enemy?

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
Wisdom and intelligence are two different things. Although scientists are the ones who are telling us about the bad state of the world and providing us with warnings to change our habits. The problem is that most of society are either ignorant, conspiracy theorists or don't care about humanities future, so they indulge in their own lives. But this is no surprise since the inequality gap is so big that the majority on the lower end of the spectrum are too preoccupied with surviving that they cannot afford to think of the bigger picture.
I think it all boils down to "Lack of Love"
 

firedragon

Veteran Member
Looking back through their history both secular and religious, it is very apparent that humans are poor examples of how to lead the world and each other in the right direction.

Looking at today’s world and seeing the advances in technology and science and the decline in religious practice, what conclusions can we come to? Is science the more intelligent way to go? :shrug: Is the seeming demise of religion what the world needs to move forward?

For every advancement that science makes, the planet is paying for it in some way. We, as supposedly the most intelligent inhabitants of this planet seem to throw caution to the wind when implementing things that will save us time and money. All focus seems to be on the here and now, but little attention is paid to what consequences may come from such a short sighted view.

What are some of the upsides and opposing downsides that you can think of where humans could demonstrate more responsibility for the environment?

I’ll start off with the one thing that humans invented that is now choking the world.....plastic pollution.


Plastics became popular in the 1960’s and were originally a boon to every household and an accumulation of plastic containers and gadgets flooded the market with “must have” implements and storage containers with lids. But here we are 6 decades later and we are drowning in the stuff because we failed to see how long this product would take to break down like natural products do.

What would you offer as a solution? Should we get rid of plastic and substitute a more environmentally friendly product like hemp? If so what do we do with all the existing plastic that is clogging our landfill, oceans and rivers?

images


Should we make the manufacturers more accountable?

Thoughts....?

Humans are on top of the food chain due to their advancement in technology. So it is only humans who could above humans in the food chain.

Thats it.
 

firedragon

Veteran Member
I think they are, believing in all the religions and superstitious crap, and ignoring science.

Thats an absolute falsehood. Embracing science, humans have mass murdered and become the Bain of humans themselves. Not ignoring science.

So I think as a so called "scientific person" dont be so blatantly unscientific and so bitterly false.
 

Redemptionsong

Well-Known Member
Im a pessimist or a realist depending on how one look at it, when it comes to the environmental crisis. I think it is to late for us to solve it and that we are now at a point where it is about trying to save as many animals as possible, before we lose the majority of them and start a final collapse of the ecosystem, which will radically change the world.

Not only as you say the huge issue with plastic pollution, overfishing and in general the systematic extermination of nature is equally as huge issues.

I do not however blame science or technology for it, but rather the lack of unity and leadership in the world or said in another more simple way, human stupidity.

Having created and encouraging a system of living based on consumption in a world with massive environmental issues, where there are limited resources and everything is either killed or destroyed in the process in order to maintain this system is the main issue. To me it is a self destructing way of living, we know that there is an issue, in order to solve it we need money, as nothing really gets done without it, but to generate money we need people to consume.

As long as that is the way things are done, I don't really see any solution. Even if we manage to solve the plastic issue, which I have no idea how we would do, the fact is that almost all animals needed to maintain the ecosystem or balance in nature are on a path to going extinct, and is not something that can easily be solved, as it will take a long time for them to recover, given that we give them the space they need while at the same time leave them alone long enough for them to recover, which is not likely.

I think the only solution to this problem, is for all countries to come to an agreement and somehow change how this economic system we have become slaves of works, and find a new system which allow for all people to live good lives, but which have a minimum impact on the environment as primary concern and driving force. We need to make and consume things intelligently, if we want any hope of solving these issue. Science and technology are the tools which could help make this transition in my opinion.
But I honestly think the human race is to stupid to come to terms and solve the issue and therefore it won't happen. Whenever anyone questions how we do things now, an army of people step forward and praise how good it is, when it is obvious that the only path it can lead to is a collapse.

Whether you are religious or not, is irrelevant in this case, unless God himself come and solve the issue, which seems unlikely, so we have to solve it ourselves and hope that the two remaining brain cells left in the human race can somehow collide with each other and come up with something intelligent... but it seems very unlikely unfortunately, as I see it.

I believe God has come to solve the issue, and will return to finish the job! Just a pity more people don't take notice of his calling card!
 

PureX

Veteran Member
Science cannot overcome human selfishness, and the short-sighted and self-destructive results that this incurs. It can help us to mitigate the damage, but at the same time, it is also enabling our ability to do even more and greater damage.

Science in not the solution. And neither is religion. There very likely is no solution. Humanity may have been doomed to self-destruct from the start.
 

Mock Turtle

Oh my, did I say that!
Premium Member
Humans possibly are the most intelligent species on this planet, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are intelligent enough to survive as a species. When this might mean having to recognise that we have limitations and that what we apparently see as being free is just not so. Witness the damage we have done in the last few hundred years to our environment, but where science alone is not the culprit - as some suggest. Our foolishness is the culprit - in not looking far enough ahead.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Humans possibly are the most intelligent species on this planet, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are intelligent enough to survive as a species.
Survival of species does not depend on intelligence but on environment. When things get out of control, nothing can help. Humans have been here for just 200,000 years. For most of the earth's time, humans were not around. **mod edit**
 
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Samael_Khan

Goosebender
I think it all boils down to "Lack of Love"

That is definitely one aspect of it. Also willful ignorance. One can be completely selfish and still see that the world needs saving for their own benefit, considering that they live on this planet too.
 

Redemptionsong

Well-Known Member
Anybody can get calling cards printed. USD 2 for 100.

You're quite right. So we should be careful which callers we entertain. I look to see if the caller is backed by a reputable company, which is this case would be God's chosen people, Israel [Psalm 33:12]!
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
That is definitely one aspect of it. Also willful ignorance. One can be completely selfish and still see that the world needs saving for their own benefit, considering that they live on this planet too.
Don't you think that "willful ignorance" also boils down to "lack of Love"?
If you really Love your Self, you can't even be "willful ignorant" and hurt yourself in the process
 

Clara Tea

Well-Known Member
Looking back through their history both secular and religious, it is very apparent that humans are poor examples of how to lead the world and each other in the right direction.

Looking at today’s world and seeing the advances in technology and science and the decline in religious practice, what conclusions can we come to? Is science the more intelligent way to go? :shrug: Is the seeming demise of religion what the world needs to move forward?

For every advancement that science makes, the planet is paying for it in some way. We, as supposedly the most intelligent inhabitants of this planet seem to throw caution to the wind when implementing things that will save us time and money. All focus seems to be on the here and now, but little attention is paid to what consequences may come from such a short sighted view.

What are some of the upsides and opposing downsides that you can think of where humans could demonstrate more responsibility for the environment?

I’ll start off with the one thing that humans invented that is now choking the world.....plastic pollution.


Plastics became popular in the 1960’s and were originally a boon to every household and an accumulation of plastic containers and gadgets flooded the market with “must have” implements and storage containers with lids. But here we are 6 decades later and we are drowning in the stuff because we failed to see how long this product would take to break down like natural products do.

What would you offer as a solution? Should we get rid of plastic and substitute a more environmentally friendly product like hemp? If so what do we do with all the existing plastic that is clogging our landfill, oceans and rivers?

images


Should we make the manufacturers more accountable?

Thoughts....?

Science cured COVID, and the Vatican didn't have faith that God would keep them safe, so they restricted travel to the Vatican.

Also, in the news, numerous Catholic priests raped little boys, and the church covered it up, telling families that they must protect the reputation of the church, and moved the priests to different parishes where they could rape again. Now the Catholic church is declaring bankruptcy to protect its mammon and graven images to keep its victims from just compensation.

Throngs of Christians joined the Religious Right, and through them elected Presidents Reagan, Bush, and W. Bush. That made the Iran Contra scandal (Supporting dictators of Nicaragua against Sandinistas who want a wage that would allow them to live, and education for their kids. Making counterfeit currency and selling illegal narcotics in America to pay for imitation Russian weapons to Iranian dictators). They made a war against science, denying man's influence on Global Warming, and making the problem worse, putting in logging roads in forests, drilling offshore, fracking (suspending the Clean Water Act), and all of these things because of greed. The rich were given many tax breaks, which outsourced factories abroad for cheap foreign labor (making unemployment in America and defective products), and hoards of homeless resulted, along with huge National Debt (Obama contributed to the National Debt to pay for the bankrupted companies to recover). W. Bush was the worst enemy of the environment, and many Christians believed that they would rapture to heaven, leaving behind a toxic waste site where once stood God's miraculous environment.

Voting with the Religious Right was like handing the keys to a car to a drunken teenager, and, when he crashes, handing the keys to him again to crash another car. It is irresponsible abuse of power.

You now blame science for all of the things caused by the Religious Right.

Religion is declining because theists realize that their candidates blew it. Wars, a torture camp in Guantanamo, environmental destruction, horrible economy, declining education, and ignored homeless, cause the faithful to lose faith.
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
Are Humans Their Own Worst Enemy?
I think they are, believing in all the religions and superstitious crap, and ignoring science.
Normally I am not a huge fan of generalizing "all humans", because it sound like "ignoring science", because who can possibly know about "all"?

But as you include yourself in the group "believing in all the religious and superstitious crap, and ignoring science", you show humility, I like that
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
But as you include yourself in the group "believing in all the religious and superstitious crap, and ignoring science", you show humility, I like that.
I am a Hindu (and an atheist). It is not that I do not have a religion, but my belief goes with science and not superstition. I am lamenting that most people believe in superstitions.
You're quite right. So we should be careful which callers we entertain. I look to see if the caller is backed by a reputable company, which is this case would be God's chosen people, Israel [Psalm 33:12]!
Psalms, Christian prayers, but I am a Hindu and an atheist. Why would I believe in that without being given any proof? Hindu Gods are not tribal. They do not have chosen people, they treat all people equally. Israel is India's friend and Indians have been friends to Jews for more than 2,000 years. They lived with us in peace and harmony. They were never persecuted in India like in many other regions. Are you an Israeli?
 
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Dan From Smithville

What we've got here is failure to communicate.
Staff member
Premium Member
Thats an absolute falsehood. Embracing science, humans have mass murdered and become the Bain of humans themselves. Not ignoring science.

So I think as a so called "scientific person" dont be so blatantly unscientific and so bitterly false.
Humans have certainly taken the technology arising from science to do great harm, but there are a greater number of people living better and longer today than at previous points in history due to the application of scientific discoveries too.

I think where we have fallen down is in our wisdom of how those discoveries are applied. It is not science, but people that are responsible for what ails us and the environment.
 

Thief

Rogue Theologian
Plastics became popular in the 1960’s
a recent documentary displays.......
nearly HALF
of the plastic problem ......is FISHING

that's right
the industry uses plastic netting
and it is discarded at the first sign of failure
 
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NewGuyOnTheBlock

Cult Survivor/Fundamentalist Pentecostal Apostate
Thanks for starting this thread. I was hoping you would and I am anxious to respond.

Yes. We are. I say that confidently, without a doubt in my mind.

But that is only half the story, I believe. When things are going wrong, when there are atrocities, it is also man who acts against it. So we are also our best heroes.

Looking at today’s world and seeing the advances in technology and science and the decline in religious practice, what conclusions can we come to?

I don't blame "science" as science is only knowledge. I wish science to continue to progress to grow the knowledge base of mankind.

It is the "application of science" where the problems come from. We so often put into practice what we do know; only to realize later that there were things we did not know. And there is a price to be paid for shortsightedness.

Taking things to basics, when I see how people drive their cars with no respect for the power over life and death they wield (and their overconfidence in their ability to control their vehicle and no thought of their lack of ability to control what is outside of their windshield); people hurting themselves or others doing really stupid stuff with common items; foolish accident with guns or electricity, for example; the rush to move forward with reassignment surgery; -- I see a trend where our sciences outpace our wisdom to wield it.

The solution, here, is not to reject science, as science has brought us the ability to communicate with loved ones in real time, has enabled us to eradicate many diseases from the face of the earth, has solved problems that has been caused by previous use, has prolonged human life to the point that we can look forward to seeing our great grandchildren grow into grownups -- But instead, the solution imho is exercising greater temperance in its application.

For every advancement that science makes, the planet is paying for it in some way. We, as supposedly the most intelligent inhabitants of this planet seem to throw caution to the wind when implementing things that will save us time and money.

It does seem that way, yes; and maybe even IS that way sometimes. But often, I think it is simply not knowing or fully realizing the full impact implementation of technology will have in a highly complex system. Another poster made some very good points on this.

If so what do we do with all the existing plastic that is clogging our landfill, oceans and rivers?

Humans ... and science ... are working hard at finding solutions to this issue. Interestingly enough, I ran across a short statement from Pew Research outlaying their plan to outlay a plan, working together with several other organizations including major universities, to combat this issue. A spray bottle I picked up had a label on it: "Made from 100% recycled ocean bound plastic" -- so harvesting and recycling will undoubtedly be a part of the solution. (Of course this does no good if it ends up back there -- but it's a good start).

Yes humans is to blame for how the world have become (polution, wars, hatred,racism,and so on) But humans do also good things in this world, so not everything is dark.

Exactly!!

We invent a new technology and 'release' it before we understand the consequences of it. Society and our environment are too complex, and humans are nowhere near intelligent enough to consistently understand the impacts in advance.

Yes.

That is why I think people should be independent, without any earthly governments and make decisions only in their own life.

Anarchism sets ideals that can never be achieved. At its core, it is deeply flawed as anarchy is inherently unsustainable.

I agree, and to be more precise "male human" has been usually messing up most, ruling the world/others

Perhaps you missed in the history books Mary I, Elizabeth Bathory, or Marie Antoinette.

Poor governing, the willingness to do harm, selfishness, abusing power -- these are not "male" flaws. These are "human" flaws.
 
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