My question is; What's the true goal of most religious people? Heck, I'll take just what one religious person wants! Do the faithful want us to follow a moral code, a certain philosophy about life and behave in a certain way, or do they want us to accept a series of stories containing supernatural characters as being true and real? Is one more important than the other? Do you have to follow both? Can a person adopt the philosophy of a particular religion and not accept any of the mystical, supernatural elements? Is it acceptable to adpot Jesus' advice without believing he was the son of an invisible man and rose from the dead?
The main problem I have is the mysticism. If that can be discarded we're simply left with a real, honest debate about things like philosophy, right and wrong, how to act in certain situations and how to treat people for the best results. It seems so moronic to tie up moral teaching with stories that conflict with our known experience and also demand that these stories are accepted as fact. Noah's Ark is of course the most obvious example. Why do people associate buying into such a far fetched story with their desire for people to be nice to each other? I don't get it! Lose the mystical crap and tell us what you really mean. Some of these folks are straining to get scientific legitimacy for their mysticism as if winning that battle will then make people behave according to the desired moral code.
It's not unlike the 9/11 conspiracy people who call into this radio show Free Talk Live. These guys think that if Joe American buys into their claims then he will magically wake up and overthrow the corrupt government officials responsible and justice will prevail. Just like if you buy the story that God created the universe in 7 days then suddenly you will become a kind and benevolent person, a pillar of virtue. It makes no sense! Why do we muck up serious, debateable issues with this fantasy nonsense? Hell, if buying into bullshit claims made people really kind and moral then thousands of audiophiles the world over would sprout wings from their backs and float skyward to heaven! (okay, that was a cheap shot but I couldn't resist)
There's perfectly fine reasons to include fantasy when you want to tell a moral tale. It makes it more interesting. Well, in theory that is. Personally I can't get past Genesis in the Bible. Staggeringly boring literature! I figured God would punish me if I skipped ahead, (like, to Revelations perhaps where the good Heavy Metal verses live!) so I just had to put it down entirely. Somehow, in spite of this fact, I haven't raped, robbed or murdered anyone. (within the past month at least) How can that be!? Morals without accepting Jesus Christ into my heart!? It's just unthinkable!
It's true that there are many things wrong with the world. It's far easier to talk about the bad stuff. But really, no matter what religion you subscribe to I think it's reasonable to say that most humans have adopted positive, healthy principles. We don't always follow them, but by and large most people are able to get along without killing each other. There's something to be said for that. I just think it's mother nature and not God who made it happen. Just living and interacting with your environment and your fellow man teaches you to adopt many of the same virtues that are normally ascribed to religious dogmas. Going against them often has bad results. Why do we need to blame all this good stuff on the invisible man? Give yourself some credit!
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