Yes guys and gals, i know it''s much different.
But is it?
They both have very little to zero evidence?
Both could be real or fake.
Both have multiple people believing to have encountered it.
What's the difference? Besides the obvious, i'm looking for deeper thinking?
CB
The difference is the depth of the subject. A single object sourced by a mistaken identity versus distinct worldviews of societal rules that all have a common theme. Namely to enable reproductive success in a population by codifying aggressive acts into submission.
But why no religion based on Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars governments and philosophies? Because, at this time, they do not have corresponding references in the structures of our everyday lives. Religions however have worldview systems in place that DO at least purport to be VERY relevant to living. An eye for an eye, Sharia law, Levitical law type of relevance that are embedded in our systems of justice and partially in the structure of our governments.
Living by the dictates of one religion generally has little repercussions to the survival of its adherents as far as making it to reproductive fecundity. There is, therefore, plenty of evidence that religion is not detrimental to reproductive success.
Other affects, though, have been looked at. Brain size. Perhaps religions or at least some tribal revulsion to bullying might have tamed the species by killing the bullies at an early age before they reproduced. The human species has had the aggression bred out of it and been domesticated in the same manner as the domesticated silver fox. Thanks to what started as tribal intolerance of bullies has survived as the religions of the world.
Too deep? Straying a bit too much?
If the terrain and the map do not agree, follow the terrain.
When motherhood becomes the fruit of a deep yearning, not the result of ignorance or accident, its children will become a new race.
Don't forget about the Jedi.Quote by: minorwork
Well I'll be Sithed. Thanks for the reference.
If the terrain and the map do not agree, follow the terrain.
When motherhood becomes the fruit of a deep yearning, not the result of ignorance or accident, its children will become a new race.
Jedi census phenomenon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We take our jedi seriously around here
Over 53,000 people listed themselves as Jedi in New Zealand's 2001 census. New Zealand had the highest per capita population of reported Jedi in the world that year, with 1.5% marking "Jedi" as their religion. The city of Dunedin had the highest population of reported Jedi per capita.[
A minor quibble; people don't necessarily believe in religion. "Religion" is the framework that defines and sets parameters on their belief in gods. People believe in gods and are either born into or choose a religion that agrees with their beliefs about their god.Is believing in unicorns or big foot any different than believing in religion?
Having said that, no, I don't believe there is much that differentiates those forms of belief. We are all faced with unknowns in our lives. Some people are comfortable with waiting to see what the evidence, if there is any, adds up to. Others prefer to suggest an explanation without regard for evidence. Big Foot, Nessie and god are all explanations that satisfy the curiosity of many people while failing to offer any testable evidence in support of the belief in them.
These sorts of belief are best explained by Fox Mulder's poster on the X-Files:
The Forum Rules
Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
[John F. Kennedy]
The principal value of debate lies in the development of logical thought processes, and the ability to articulate your positions publicly.
[Senator Dick Clark of Iowa]
The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to the presence of those who think they've found it.
[Terry Pratchett]
How many sane people are you aware of that claim to have seen unicorns?
If you've got ancient writings that promise you life after death for believing in unicorns or bigfoot, fine, make your choice accordingly.
I upped my income, up yours.
Promises made about the afterlife are a part of the entire theistic belief system. If you believe in Nessie you also believe that huge, perhaps pre-historic creatures could survive undetected in lochs for millions of years. If you believe in a god you generally also believe in what that religion teaches about the afterlife.
"Life after death" is not a belief separate from theism but rather a belief directly related to whichever god you choose to believe in.
So no belief in the afterlife needs to be incorporated into belief in Big Foot or Nessie. Belief in each includes its own set of affiliated beliefs.
The Forum Rules
Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
[John F. Kennedy]
The principal value of debate lies in the development of logical thought processes, and the ability to articulate your positions publicly.
[Senator Dick Clark of Iowa]
The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to the presence of those who think they've found it.
[Terry Pratchett]
How does zero evidence, or any evidence, show you something you are a bit confused about?
I thought that what you wrote was tired and mixed derivative. Mere flag-waving.
What leads you to that? Or shall I take your word for it? Support your conclusions.
If the terrain and the map do not agree, follow the terrain.
When motherhood becomes the fruit of a deep yearning, not the result of ignorance or accident, its children will become a new race.
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