The necessity of religion

Im curious because i think there is some biology behind faith... that there's something ingrained in our DNA that predisposes us towards belief in something greater than ourselves, no matter what evidence we see to the contrary.

Monolith wrote:

Im curious because i think there is some biology behind faith... that there's something ingrained in our DNA that predisposes us towards belief in something greater than ourselves, no matter what evidence we see to the contrary.

As far as I can tell, this is the crux of the issue. Spirituality, and hence religion, in my opinion, probably evolved, partially at least, as a counter-mechanism to the emerging awareness of mortality by our primitive ancestors.
That the overwhelming majority of the human population subscribes to some form of spirituality speaks to me as evidence of this.

As I write this, I have only read page one of this interesting thread. Let me just say that even if religion promotes happiness and health that does not make it true. And I would rather be a depressed atheistic existentialist than a happy religlious (read superstitious) peasant.

Doktor S wrote:

Monolith wrote:

Im curious because i think there is some biology behind faith... that there's something ingrained in our DNA that predisposes us towards belief in something greater than ourselves, no matter what evidence we see to the contrary.

As far as I can tell, this is the crux of the issue. Spirituality, and hence religion, in my opinion, probably evolved, partially at least, as a counter-mechanism to the emerging awareness of mortality by our primitive ancestors.
That the overwhelming majority of the human population subscribes to some form of spirituality speaks to me as evidence of this.

Spirituality comes with experience, it has nothing to do with religion which is of the intellect. Spirituality is of emotions, feelings, intuition, it is a knowing beyond the intellect. You will not find spirituality in DNA, or brain mapping. It is personal, you will know about spirituality when you experience it.

As I write this, I have only read page one of this interesting thread. Let me just say that even if religion promotes happiness and health that does not make it true. And I would rather be a depressed atheistic existentialist than a happy religlious (read superstitious) peasant.

There is nothing superstitious about spirituality. Scientific research has already shown our consciousness will live after the death of the brain and body.

It doesn't bother me that you disagree, that is ok, but it is not ok to degrade others thoughts and opinions.

Lekatt wrote:

There is nothing superstitious about spirituality. Scientific research has already shown our consciousness will live after the death of the brain and body.

Please direct me, and the countless others that would love to know, to serious peer reviewed scientific articles and research papers re:the proof of life after death.
Think about this for a second, lekatt; If this were so, don't you think it would be public knowledge by now? That would constitute the largest discovery in the history of science. Where are the nobel prizes?
Doesn't seem to me like the whole 'life after death' rig has managed to bite and claw its way out of the realm of superstition just yet.

Quote:

It doesn't bother me that you disagree, that is ok, but it is not ok to degrade others thoughts and opinions.

Actually, it is quite ok to scrutinize and dissect others ideas on a debate forum. In fact, that is the point. If the idea doesn't hold up to scrutiny, perhaps you would do well to change your methodology from 'crying wounded' to 'serious introspection' when you are unable to defend it.

Yes, I was a participant in that 'other' thread. I did, in fact, waste several hours of my time investigating your links, and found them to fall flat.
Your links indicate that there is interest in the subject of NDE, and people have attempted to investigate this putative phenomenon. What your links do not provide, however, is any sort of evidence save for the anecdotal, which is all but meaningless.
You are entitled to your faith, lekatt, as you are to your beliefs that spawned it. But by attempting to parade your beliefs as fact you leave yourself in quite the unsavory position as viewed by those with a fondness for intellectual honesty.

Lecat.
Quote..I really don't care what you think of me personally, it just doesn't matter. What matters is truth, and the evidence is there.. unquote.

Doctor 2 is not the only one reading what you say... so please, gives us more than just a heap of scientists discussing a supposed life after death.... after all, billions of humans have been discussing about Gods for thousands of years... closes's they've got so far.. is a heap of hot air ( or carbon dioxide ) please, don't add to it.

I also read your "other" thread and agree with Doctor 2 .

Continued references to "scientists" does not demonstrate that any scientific evidence was presented. As Dok pointed out, these are simply anecdotes, and do not constitute evidence of anything other than what those interviewed believed they had experienced. It certainly offers no proof that human consciousness survives death. I can't say that it does or doesn't--i can say that Lekatt has provided no proof that it does.

It is precisely because i did read it that i am confident in stating that you have only anecdotes, and no scientific evidence. Too bad you cannot understand the distinction, but that's no fault of mine.

For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten. 6 Also, their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they have no portion anymore to time indefinite in anything that has to be done under the sun.