Is Religion A Mental Illness?

[Tlaceceyaya]

It's not human nature - no more human nature than gambling addictions or the english language. We are not born with a gambling addiction or knowledge of the english language.

We worshipped deities before we were even Homo Sapiens^{[Citation Needed]}, so how is religion a mental illnes then

I did not say that it was a mental illness. I merely said that it was not human nature in the same way that the english language is not human nature.

[NERVUN]

Actually, no. The actual creationists are a minority in religion. I would know, as I've been involved in the Church for most of my life. Also, ad hominem.

40 percent of Americans still believe that humans were created by God within the last 10,000 years. It's not a underwhelming minority.

Americans, no matter how we happen to believe ourselves as the center of all Creation, do not represent a plurality in the total number of religious folks either.

[Evraim]

It's not a problem. I've found as debates go on, the brain seems to try and force the debaters to stop by shutting down parts of itself to force us to try and find the most expedient way of ending it.

Though, oddly enough, I've found the longer the debates go on NSG, the more amicably they end.

Yeah, you can only debate for so long before you kinda just black out everything.

True enough, though some debates tend to devolve into ad hominems, jesting, and all manner of silliness.

[The Cummunist State]

40 percent of Americans still believe that humans were created by God within the last 10,000 years. It's not a underwhelming minority.

Americans, no matter how we happen to believe ourselves as the center of all Creation, do not represent a plurality in the total number of religious folks either.

That's the no true Scotsman argument.

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

Yeah, you can only debate for so long before you kinda just black out everything.

True enough, though some debates tend to devolve into ad hominems, jesting, and all manner of silliness.

The jesting portion I kind of look forward to, in a way. It means a thread has come to its natural end, and that tempers have cooled. It also usually means that both sides have actually considered the other a bit.

[Bottle]

Americans, no matter how we happen to believe ourselves as the center of all Creation, do not represent a plurality in the total number of religious folks either.

That's the no true Scotsman argument.

No it's not...

[Evraim]

Americans, no matter how we happen to believe ourselves as the center of all Creation, do not represent a plurality in the total number of religious folks either.

That's the no true Scotsman argument.

No it's not. NERVUN was merely saying that Americans are not the only group that ought to be factored into the equation. He's right. Please, don't smite me, oh almighty moderator!

I'm still puzzled that America isn't the center of all creation. We're America!

[The Cummunist State]

True enough, though some debates tend to devolve into ad hominems, jesting, and all manner of silliness.

The jesting portion I kind of look forward to, in a way. It means a thread has come to its natural end, and that tempers have cooled. It also usually means that both sides have actually considered the other a bit.

To be honest, I quite often wonder how it would be to be religious. But I'm not sure I can control such beliefs.

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

Americans, no matter how we happen to believe ourselves as the center of all Creation, do not represent a plurality in the total number of religious folks either.

That's the no true Scotsman argument.

The No True Scotsman argument would be more

A guy sees hears about a series of murders and says "A Christian would never do that"

And then he goes down and reads that the killer was in fact Christian, so he says "Well, no true Christian would do that".

Nervie is only saying that Americans do not comprise the majority of religious folks in the world and that their opinions do not necessarily reflect that of other nations.

[The Cummunist State]

That's the no true Scotsman argument.

No it's not. NERVUN was merely saying that Americans are not the only group that ought to be factored into the equation. He's right. Please, don't smite me, oh almight moderator!

Upon a Wikipedia adventure, I think it may not be considered a No True Scotsman argument if you look at it a certain way. I still think just saying that the Americans have no bearing on religious views is silly.

[Evraim]

The jesting portion I kind of look forward to, in a way. It means a thread has come to its natural end, and that tempers have cooled. It also usually means that both sides have actually considered the other a bit.

To be honest, I quite often wonder how it would be to be religious. But I'm not sure I can control such beliefs.

You can't. Solipsism is true, and I'm the only person that exists. You're all figments of my omnipotent imagination and entirely under the control of my subconcious.

I agree with JaD.

[Bottle]

I still think just saying that the Americans have no bearing on religious views is silly.

And if he had said anything close to that, you'd have a point.

[Bubblekirby]

No it is not. I am an atheist as well but I know that only a small fraction of religious people are crazy

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

The jesting portion I kind of look forward to, in a way. It means a thread has come to its natural end, and that tempers have cooled. It also usually means that both sides have actually considered the other a bit.

To be honest, I quite often wonder how it would be to be religious. But I'm not sure I can control such beliefs.

I've been both (though I was the worst brand of nihilist as an atheist and worried far too much about my own mortality), but I find that as a religious person, you have to occasionally think: "If there was a chance there was no God, would I regret not doing this because of religion, or denying myself this".

I don't find I am too different than most atheists, though I'd say I'm noticeably Catholic in that I wear a cross, often say religious sayings or the like. But I think ultimately, the most important thing about being religious is that you have to go with what feels right. Believing in God feels right to me, and that's why I am religious. I don't think that feeling comes to everyone, though.

[Tlaceceyaya]

To be honest, I quite often wonder how it would be to be religious. But I'm not sure I can control such beliefs.

I've been both (though I was the worst brand of nihilist as an atheist and worried far too much about my own mortality), but I find that as a religious person, you have to occasionally think: "If there was a chance there was no God, would I regret not doing this because of religion, or denying myself this".

I don't find I am too different than most atheists, though I'd say I'm noticeably Catholic in that I wear a cross, often say religious sayings or the like. But I think ultimately, the most important thing about being religious is that you have to go with what feels right. Believing in God feels right to me, and that's why I am religious. I don't think that feeling comes to everyone, though.

What feels right isn't necessarily what is right. This applies to humans as well as pigeons. The pigeons associate their actions with the receiving of food because it feels as though there is a connection. But, in fact, there is none.

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

I've been both (though I was the worst brand of nihilist as an atheist and worried far too much about my own mortality), but I find that as a religious person, you have to occasionally think: "If there was a chance there was no God, would I regret not doing this because of religion, or denying myself this".

I don't find I am too different than most atheists, though I'd say I'm noticeably Catholic in that I wear a cross, often say religious sayings or the like. But I think ultimately, the most important thing about being religious is that you have to go with what feels right. Believing in God feels right to me, and that's why I am religious. I don't think that feeling comes to everyone, though.

What feels right isn't necessarily what is right. This applies to humans as well as pigeons. The pigeons associate their actions with the receiving of food because it feels as though there is a connection. But, in fact, there is none.

Already considered that, still of the same opinion.

[The Cummunist State]

To be honest, I quite often wonder how it would be to be religious. But I'm not sure I can control such beliefs.

I've been both (though I was the worst brand of nihilist as an atheist and worried far too much about my own mortality), but I find that as a religious person, you have to occasionally think: "If there was a chance there was no God, would I regret not doing this because of religion, or denying myself this".

I don't find I am too different than most atheists, though I'd say I'm noticeably Catholic in that I wear a cross, often say religious sayings or the like. But I think ultimately, the most important thing about being religious is that you have to go with what feels right. Believing in God feels right to me, and that's why I am religious. I don't think that feeling comes to everyone, though.

As a Atheist, (and I've always been one) I don't worry about my morality that much. I only really wish I could live longer to see technology progress. I do know that I do not at all want to be immortal. I think that'd be horrible, you'd get so bored! But, I guess that's the difference between *MOST* religious people and *MOST* Atheists, religious people follow their gut instincts and stay true to their heart and Atheists stay true to the scientific method. When you boil it down to that, I guess I can't say that there's anything wrong with either of those in the end.

[Evraim]

I've been both (though I was the worst brand of nihilist as an atheist and worried far too much about my own mortality), but I find that as a religious person, you have to occasionally think: "If there was a chance there was no God, would I regret not doing this because of religion, or denying myself this".

I don't find I am too different than most atheists, though I'd say I'm noticeably Catholic in that I wear a cross, often say religious sayings or the like. But I think ultimately, the most important thing about being religious is that you have to go with what feels right. Believing in God feels right to me, and that's why I am religious. I don't think that feeling comes to everyone, though.

As a Atheist, (and I've always been one) I don't worry about my morality that much. I only really wish I could live longer to see technology progress. I do know that I do not at all want to be immortal. I think that'd be horrible, you'd get so bored! But, I guess that's the difference between *MOST* religious people and *MOST* Atheists, religious people follow their gut instincts and stay true to their heart and Atheists stay true to the scientific method. When you boil it down to that, I guess I can't say that there's anything wrong with either of those in the end.

The references to religion and hearts in the same sentence are sorely tempting me to make a lame joke about the Aztec religion...

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

I've been both (though I was the worst brand of nihilist as an atheist and worried far too much about my own mortality), but I find that as a religious person, you have to occasionally think: "If there was a chance there was no God, would I regret not doing this because of religion, or denying myself this".

I don't find I am too different than most atheists, though I'd say I'm noticeably Catholic in that I wear a cross, often say religious sayings or the like. But I think ultimately, the most important thing about being religious is that you have to go with what feels right. Believing in God feels right to me, and that's why I am religious. I don't think that feeling comes to everyone, though.

As a Atheist, (and I've always been one) I don't worry about my morality that much. I only really wish I could live longer to see technology progress. I do know that I do not at all want to be immortal. I think that'd be horrible, you'd get so bored! But, I guess that's the difference between *MOST* religious people and *MOST* Atheists, religious people follow their gut instincts and stay true to their heart and Atheists stay true to the scientific method. When you boil it down to that, I guess I can't say that there's anything wrong with either of those in the end.

I'm actually of the same opinion. I'd like to live a long time and see technology bloom. I suppose I kind of like the idea of immortality, but living one life forever would probably get agonizing fast. Despite being religious, I'm actually very much interested in what goes on during this life, considering the Earth is so damned beautiful, and humans never cease to amaze me.

[The Cummunist State]

As a Atheist, (and I've always been one) I don't worry about my morality that much. I only really wish I could live longer to see technology progress. I do know that I do not at all want to be immortal. I think that'd be horrible, you'd get so bored! But, I guess that's the difference between *MOST* religious people and *MOST* Atheists, religious people follow their gut instincts and stay true to their heart and Atheists stay true to the scientific method. When you boil it down to that, I guess I can't say that there's anything wrong with either of those in the end.

I'm actually of the same opinion. I'd like to live a long time and see technology bloom. I suppose I kind of like the idea of immortality, but living one life forever would probably get agonizing fast. Despite being religious, I'm actually very much interested in what goes on during this life, considering the Earth is so damned beautiful, and humans never cease to amaze me.

I guess we have more in common than we thought! *ques Disney music*

[NERVUN]

No it's not. NERVUN was merely saying that Americans are not the only group that ought to be factored into the equation. He's right. Please, don't smite me, oh almight moderator!

Upon a Wikipedia adventure, I think it may not be considered a No True Scotsman argument if you look at it a certain way. I still think just saying that the Americans have no bearing on religious views is silly.

Except that's not even close to what I said.

As I noted, Americans don't make up the majority of religious, or even Christians, on the planet. So while 40% of Americans may believe something, that doesn't exactly translate into the majority of theists, or Christians, believe something.

Even if we are Americans.

[The Cummunist State]

Upon a Wikipedia adventure, I think it may not be considered a No True Scotsman argument if you look at it a certain way. I still think just saying that the Americans have no bearing on religious views is silly.

Except that's not even close to what I said.

As I noted, Americans don't make up the majority of religious, or even Christians, on the planet. So while 40% of Americans may believe something, that doesn't exactly translate into the majority of theists, or Christians, believe something.

Even if we are Americans.

Well, I don't know much about the other near-300 countries on this planet's rates of creationists. I assumed that the size of the US and it's extremely high amounts of Technology could say a little something, not be a supreme truth on religion. If it bothers you that much then take it up with your local congressman and see if he cares.

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

The references to religion and hearts in the same sentence are sorely tempting me to make a lame joke about the Aztec religion...

Funny thing about the Aztec religion -- despite all the blood and pomp, the Aztec faith was surprisingly strict, possibly even surpassing Abrahamic religions, with strictures against alcohol and certain behaviours and none of the payoff, either. When you went to Aztec Heaven... Well, you had to walk through a forest of flag poles for several years while they whacked you repeatedly, and when you got past that you went to a dark and gloomy place that was no fun at all.

[Ende]

The references to religion and hearts in the same sentence are sorely tempting me to make a lame joke about the Aztec religion...

Funny thing about the Aztec religion -- despite all the blood and pomp, the Aztec faith was surprisingly strict, possibly even surpassing Abrahamic religions, with strictures against alcohol and certain behaviours and none of the payoff, either. When you went to Aztec Heaven... Well, you had to walk through a forest of flag poles for several years while they whacked you repeatedly, and when you got past that you went to a dark and gloomy place that was no fun at all.

.....That sounds absolutely miserable.

[The Cummunist State]

The references to religion and hearts in the same sentence are sorely tempting me to make a lame joke about the Aztec religion...

Funny thing about the Aztec religion -- despite all the blood and pomp, the Aztec faith was surprisingly strict, possibly even surpassing Abrahamic religions, with strictures against alcohol and certain behaviours and none of the payoff, either. When you went to Aztec Heaven... Well, you had to walk through a forest of flag poles for several years while they whacked you repeatedly, and when you got past that you went to a dark and gloomy place that was no fun at all.

At least you could drink chocolate!