"Dr. DuFonet" <accordiondoc@mindsproing.cop>

"RoyBoy" <armageddon79@NOSPAMPLZ.email.com> wrote in message
news:gkOHb.61143$mV5.29021@read1.cgocable.net...

"Dr. DuFonet" <accordiondoc@mindsproing.cop>

"Icarus" <icarus_uk@email.com> wrote in message
news:bskdno$dhghr$1@ID-165613.news.uni-berlin.de...

Throughout history, people have invented hundreds of gods and

supernatural characters. I wonder about the most likely reason(s)

for

this... is it out of fear (e.g. of hardship and mortality)? Is it

the

very human desire to explain the existence of ourselves and the
universe around us? Or could it be the entirely unconscious
phenomenon that certain activity in the brain, or certain medical
conditions, can result in the illusion of a 'presence'? I know of

at

least one person who doesn't have any reason to believe other than
"well there must be something...".

If we know what causes it, we may be better able to help people to

get

over it.

Gods were invented to control groups of people by explaining and
facilitating cooperative actions. The supreme deity in the pantheon
represents the Chief or Nation. By understanding and adopting the

beliefs,

people were able to rationalize their subservience to the common

interest,

personified by the alpha (usually) male.

Don't confuse societal function for origination.

You were there?

Powerful argument... neither were you.

Although I believe the study of deities requires
nothing more than a study of ourselves... so one
needn't have 'been there'. All the evidence we
require is walking and talking around us... club
some of them for study.

It's not like I meant that there was a conspiracy.

Understood. Although I did get that impression,
wasn't your response meant to explore/explain
the 'invention'/beginning of Gods.

Since you were there maybe you can elucidate the origins.

There are theories which more directly address the
origins; rather than the evolutionary functionality of gods.
I think you're just confusing the 'why' with the 'what', or
function with origin, and one needn't explain the other.
My point stands.

Fester wrote:

"Icarus" <icarus_uk@email.com> wrote in message
news:bskvqr$dpnid$1@ID-165613.news.uni-berlin.de...

Fester wrote:

Why should we want people to "get over it?" While not a
believer myself, I know many who obtain a great sense of
comfort, happiness and social interaction from their
involvement in religion, to name a few of its benefits.

More to the point, how many people who were brought up with
religion, and have since become atheists in their adult
lives, would prefer that had never happened? I suspect it
would be very few. Once you see the light, why would you
prefer to be deluded? There is great comfort and happiness
and social interaction to be had in a non-religious life too.

Agrred, but OTOH, how many of those who convert to one
religion from another religion at least profess to feel the
same way? I'm quite happy in abandoning the mild form of
Judaism I was raised in. But I think that Atheists are not
alone in our self-satisfaction of 'discovering' our preferred
state of mind.

I'm sure you're right... but that doesn't really detract from what I
was saying. Obviously atheists aren't going to be involved in
converting people from one religion to another, and if we agree that
encouraging people to abandon their religious beliefs altogether is
something they are likely to be grateful for later on, then it's a
good thing for us to do.

Fester wrote:

"Icarus" <icarus_uk@email.com> wrote in message
news:bskvqr$dpnid$1@ID-165613.news.uni-berlin.de...

Fester wrote:

Why should we want people to "get over it?" While not a
believer myself, I know many who obtain a great sense of
comfort, happiness and social interaction from their
involvement in religion, to name a few of its benefits.

More to the point, how many people who were brought up with
religion, and have since become atheists in their adult
lives, would prefer that had never happened? I suspect it
would be very few. Once you see the light, why would you
prefer to be deluded? There is great comfort and happiness
and social interaction to be had in a non-religious life too.

Agrred, but OTOH, how many of those who convert to one
religion from another religion at least profess to feel the
same way? I'm quite happy in abandoning the mild form of
Judaism I was raised in. But I think that Atheists are not
alone in our self-satisfaction of 'discovering' our preferred
state of mind.

I'm sure you're right... but that doesn't really detract from what I
was saying. Obviously atheists aren't going to be involved in
converting people from one religion to another, and if we agree that
encouraging people to abandon their religious beliefs altogether is
something they are likely to be grateful for later on, then it's a
good thing for us to do.

"Fester" <not@home.com> wrote

My point is that religion is not necessarily a bad thing.

When used to promote right-wing political extremism, for
example.