Religion: A Colossal Waste of Time

[jmvizanko]

They say that two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer. (or at least the people that agree with it do) How is this not true? Considering the complete inefficacy of prayer as found by studies, and the fact that natural disasters and disease happen just as often to any geographically religious region, regardless of if it correlates with what you think is the "right" religion, why are we all still wasting our valuable time kneeling and talking to our imaginary friends? If people spent less time repeating the same old garbage (ie, we love you, thanks for the food, please cure my brother's cancer even though it will still be entirely up to the odds after I pray this) to a being that might as well not exist based on his lack of response, how much more knowledge would have been acquired, scientific progress made, and infrastructure repaired and built? Its high time people that prayed stopped praying, and make an actual difference.

 

[fallingblood]

Do you know how much more good would be done? Very little if any.

And don't you think many religious people are making differences? So they spend some time praying, or going to church. How much time to do you spend on this forum? Is that any more productive?

 

[Autodidact]

If it makes them feel better, and research shows it does, isn't it worthwhile for them?

 

[jmvizanko]

Do you know how much more good would be done? Very little if any.

And you base this statement on.... absolutely nothing?

How much time to do you spend on this forum? Is that any more productive?

Most of the reason I spend time on this forum is to try to talk people out of faiths that are destructive to human rights and the advancement of science. If that never happens, then I suppose I've wasted my time, but only in trying to make a difference.

 

[jmvizanko]

If it makes them feel better, and research shows it does, isn't it worthwhile for them?

Well I suppose that is the only pro I can think of. Of course, the old quote "That a religious man is happier is no more relevant than that a drunk man is happier usually than a sober person" applies here. If we had less drunks, I think we'd have more skyscrapers and hospitals.

 

[Autodidact]

Well I suppose that is the only pro I can think of. Of course, the old quote "That a religious man is happier is no more relevant than that a drunk man is happier usually than a sober person" applies here. If we had less drunks, I think we'd have more skyscrapers and hospitals.

It's not relevant to truth, but truth is not what's at issue here.
And, to their credit, those Christians build an awful lot of hospitals.

 

[fallingblood]

What evidence supports what you're saying? Is there any evidence that if people gave up religion that they would spend their time doing something more productive? Or is it not true that religion encourages many people to help others?

If we got rid of porn, people would have more time to do other things as well. If we got rid of video games, movies, tv, etc, people would have more time. The fact is, there are many things that people do that waste their time. That's life.

 

[jmvizanko]

And, to their credit, those Christians build an awful lot of hospitals.

I never said they didn't. However, they could probably build a lot more of them, or more of them could become doctors, if they spent less time saying things to god, who already knows what they are going to say anyway if he is omnipotent, and spent that time building things, or studying in school, or volunteering at a homeless shelter, etc.

 

[Boethiah]

You do realize that about one third of the world is Christian (one denomination or another). right?. Are you saying that nearly one third of the world is wasting their time and contributing little to the collective growth of humanity?

 

[jmvizanko]

The fact is, there are many things that people do that waste their time. That's life.

Yes people waste time. But they only waste a certain amount of their time, unless they are incredibly lazy. How does having more time mean that all you are going to do with your extra time is waste it?

 

[jmvizanko]

Are you saying that nearly one third of the world is wasting their time and contributing little to the collective growth of humanity?

No, I am simply saying they are wasting some of their time. That does not equate to contributing little, as I have already stated that I know that religious people are behind much of the good that has been done in the world, largely because they make up most people. What I am asking is how much more productive could they be, if it were not for this loss of time?

If a city has a power outage, the loss of productivity can be measured in millions within minutes. Time is incredibly valuable, and even if all we are talking about is a small percentage increase of it around, how could that be a bad thing?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I can see no reason to get rid of it, or think it's a waste of time. Like it or not, religion does serve the community in a very positive way. Charity, support groups, help with addiction, emergency help, and an effective way to cope with stress which can lead to a longer life. Sure there has been alot of evil in the name of religion, but people will always find something as an excuse for their vile actions. Humans have already shown that race and resources will work just as well.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

What I am asking is how much more productive could they be, if it were not for this loss of time?

Estimating on the American production rate compaired to the percentage of Christians in America, and also considering that many very religious people serve in the Army, police squads, and fire departments, I would say their productivity isn't too bad.

 

[Boethiah]

My point is that it would be fair to say that religion doesn't take up one's like completely. It may be involved in ones life a great deal, but it doesn't monopolize one's time. Most religious people have jobs, families, hobbies, other responsibilities, etc. Religion and spirituality fit in with that and it effects their world view. The time they spend praying is time set aside for praying. It is free time they have made to pray. One could call this a waste of time, but I doubt the person doing the praying would agree.

What would they do besides praying? Even relaxing could be seen as wasting time.

 

[Tiapan]

It is part of the group therapy necessary with the religious indoctrination process. It is a demonstration of hope, five times a day for our Muslim friends. Often unfounded and only successful occasionally on a subjective random basis. I agree two hands are more productive than a million praying, but if for example, it helps by giving unity with the churchs charity work I guess it doesn't hurt either.

Cheers

 

[darkendless]

You do realize that about one third of the world is Christian (one denomination or another). right?. Are you saying that nearly one third of the world is wasting their time and contributing little to the collective growth of humanity?

Some of them are useful citizens.

A lot of them can't go to the mailbox without an automatic weapon and holy-water because they fear demons.

 

[mho123]

If it makes them feel better, and research shows it does, isn't it worthwhile for them?

Santa makes children feel better , but reality is , it's a fairy tale , a lie . Don't stick your head in the sand and believe in fairy tales just because it makes you feel better . Don't waste your life .
Peace

 

[Engyo]

Once again, someone who doesn't realize that Christianity is NOT synonymous with religion.

 

[Shia Islam]

Religion: A Colossal Waste of Time

This whole topic is based on the supposition that there is no God.

It should be stated like this:
If we suppose that there is no God then in that case will Religion be A Colossal Waste of Time?

Considering the complete inefficacy of prayer as found by studies

Prayer to whom? and where are the references?

a being that might as well not exist based on his lack of response

Lack of response to whom? are you talking about yourself?

 

[ChristineES]

We're supposed to do both: pray and take action. Prayer is talking to God, in the my faith. Can it be said that talking with someone is a waste of time? If you see it as a waste of time, then keep in mind that no one will ever force you to talk to someone you don't even believe is there.