religion may not "try" to control peoples' thoughts and actions, but it still succeeds in doing so...because the concept it portrays shapes major aspects of our lives. Actually, commonly shared myths have always performed some kind of truth even if they are unable to explain the conditions of the nature of truth accurately.
Is martial arts witchcraft? perhaps, to a degree.
Is it in line with a Christian's view of what witchcraft is? probably not.
Is there a god? maybe.
Is jesus the only son of god..blah blah? Again, probably not.
So the nature of these myths or hypotheses can not ever be simply true or false. They're stronger and weaker accounts of our origin. Yet, these principles do seem very important to our rationality, for having a spiritual belief system gives personal meaning to many people, challenges them to better themselves, brings FEAR into their lives, etc. But as long as the belief in god is not allowed to be treated as a myth or hypothesis, exempt from criticism -- as is my experience with Christians and their philosophy -- the laws of nature and physics.....at least for me....religion will continue to fall on the irrational side of the spectrum. I mean, today it's not only dangerous to challenge religion, it's stupid. People die when they stand up against religion. So I think "control" is a very relative question here.
When you get down on your knees to pray, is that not a form of control? What if you could eliminate the notion of God in your life? Would you have had that
urge to pray? Where does it come from? Can you be free from it? And why don't you stand on your head?
Is martial arts witchcraft? perhaps, to a degree.
Is it in line with a Christian's view of what witchcraft is? probably not.
Is there a god? maybe.
Is jesus the only son of god..blah blah? Again, probably not.
So the nature of these myths or hypotheses can not ever be simply true or false. They're stronger and weaker accounts of our origin. Yet, these principles do seem very important to our rationality, for having a spiritual belief system gives personal meaning to many people, challenges them to better themselves, brings FEAR into their lives, etc. But as long as the belief in god is not allowed to be treated as a myth or hypothesis, exempt from criticism -- as is my experience with Christians and their philosophy -- the laws of nature and physics.....at least for me....religion will continue to fall on the irrational side of the spectrum. I mean, today it's not only dangerous to challenge religion, it's stupid. People die when they stand up against religion. So I think "control" is a very relative question here.
When you get down on your knees to pray, is that not a form of control? What if you could eliminate the notion of God in your life? Would you have had that
urge to pray? Where does it come from? Can you be free from it? And why don't you stand on your head?
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