The Big Problem

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> Religions exist everywhere and have always existed.

Why this is true is an interesting question of anthropology and brain physiology.

> These questions mentioned above, they can't be answered yet.

That so many people of faith disagree (and they are a large percentage of the human population) is also interesting.

> I don't know how the universe came to life, and I couldn't care less. Because I 'm alive.

There's the how and the why, the reason and the purpose. At this point we have a pretty good handle on the age of the universe, and how it originated. We can't say much about what there was before the universe existed, or even if tha't a meaningful question.

The purpose of the universe implies intelligent creation, and is outside of the domain of science. It will remain fodder for the philosophers, unless the intelligent agent that is allegedly responsible for creation deigns to tell us.

Quote:Religions exist everywhere and have always existed. Well, not really. Religion has appeared in societies for the past few thousand years, maybe longer, but there is no evidence to suggest that it always existed.

Nor is there evidence that it didn't always exist; since we would be going back to the point of this post...there is no evidence either way, lol.The human brain really hasn't changed all that much over time; we all seek an explanation for things that we cannot, and we all want someone else to take responsibility for our behaviour.

Well there is evidence to show that religion did not always exist, its part of the whole theory of evolution. If the theory is right, humans evolved from animals no more intelligent than any other currently on the planet. Our ancestors would not have been capable of even conceiving something as abstract as religion.

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The human brain really hasn't changed all that much over time; we all seek an explanation for things that we cannot, and we all want someone else to take responsibility for our behaviour.
It may be that sitting around and pondering meaning and existence conferred a survival disasvantage, when one's time were better spent gathering food, hunting, and avoiding predators. The need to know may be part and parcel of evolved intelligence -- or not.

Also, religious belief may be a side effect of the brain's having evolved to help the predecessors of humans do best in the societies they lived in, presumably as small bands on savannahs.

The New York times article, though length, is well worth a read.

I don't believe in God, but I do believe that you are Robin Marantz Henig. You seem so proud of that article, posting links left, right and centre! Well... three times.

I do it because people keep posting speculations that are addressed by the article. It's not just some guy spouting off opinions; it contains discussions with and about people who are researching the areas addressed by this thread. It pretty well summarizes the current state of academic thinking on the origins of religious thought.On the other hand, we can just go around in circles and express our personal opinions ad nauseum.I would welcome pointers to other articles, but I don't recall anyone else ever putting one up on this topic.

You couldn't be more wrong. Jesus never said if you don't beleive in him you will be doomed. One of the teachings of the features of kingdom of god is that god loves all, including sinners. Jesus neevr discluded anyone, no matter what there beleif. If you can find one story in the bible that he stated your all doomed if you do not beleive in me or my father, then please do so. This goes back to people thinking they know alot about something they really don't, I've been going to catholic school since I was 5. I've been taught many teaching, and this year I've had one of the best religious teachers EVER. He maeks sense of many things, so please stop judging Jesus based upon your thoughts, you obviously do not know much about Jesus's teachings or god's teachings.

Oh and another thing, don't try and scientificaly tell me how my brain works, I beleive in god because I choose to do so.

Originally Posted By: Steve_A>It will remain fodder for the philosophers, unless the intelligent agent that is allegedly responsible for creation deigns to tell us. He already did through his son.

Do you believe in your God, or the Catholic God?

Originally Posted By: Thatguy12345Originally Posted By: Steve_A>It will remain fodder for the philosophers, unless the intelligent agent that is allegedly responsible for creation deigns to tell us. He already did through his son. Ya mean that hippy guy who fucked with the establishment and promoted free love?

You have just officialy crossed the line, don't attack peoples beliefs. You say dont take this into an arguement yet look at you insulting in what I beleive in. And for your information catholics and christians beleive in the same god.

I haven't crossed a line, believe me, you'll know when I've crossed a line! I was not attacking your religion or your faith. What I said is actually quite accurate, if not a bit blunt.And I know perfectly well that Catholics and Christians believe in the same God, I was raised Catholic, but that is not the question I was asking you.I was asking you if you believe in the Catholic God and all the Catholic teachings (most of which are common throughout Christianity). Do you believe that gay people will go to hell? Do you believe that what they do is evil, and that they deserve to go to hell for not wanting to change? If so, why do you believe this? Is it because you were taught this, or is it because you can see for yourself that 2 people of the same gender loving eachother is the direct cause of drug abuse, child molestation and murder?

Quote:You couldn't be more wrong. Jesus never said if you don't beleive in him you will be doomed. One of the teachings of the features of kingdom of god is that god loves all, including sinners. Jesus neevr discluded anyone, no matter what there beleif. If you can find one story in the bible that he stated your all doomed if you do not beleive in me or my father, then please do so. This goes back to people thinking they know alot about something they really don't, I've been going to catholic school since I was 5. I've been taught many teaching, and this year I've had one of the best religious teachers EVER. He maeks sense of many things, so please stop judging Jesus based upon your thoughts, you obviously do not know much about Jesus's teachings or god's teachings. I'm one of the few people I know, Christian or otherwise, who actually has read the Sermon on the Mount. I think most of the bibles that are sold and distributed become paperweights. I'm sure that a biblical scholar such as you is well-versed in the bible, as well the Vatican Council decrees (you don't have to eat fish on Fiday now) and various papal encyclicals.I'm not an expert on the Catholic bible, but take a look at this page of New Testament quotes: What does the bible say about... SALVATION?. Read the first section, Salvation Through Christ Alone. In what other way can you interpret the following two passages?Quote:John 3:36 -- He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.Jn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [Jesus Himself is speaking here.]They inexplicably left out the big one, John 3:18, which says: "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." [NIV];How many ways can those passages be interpreted? Perhaps you should ask your teacher. Are you going to attack me further for being an ignoramous?

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Oh and another thing, don't try and scientificaly tell me how my brain works, I beleive in god because I choose to do so.
You are living an illusion. Free will is a lot less common than people would believe.

It's interesting how many people testify in court, under oath, to something they truly believe in. It often, surprisingly often, then turns out that what they testified to could not possibly be true.

Also, people can be interrogated in a way that plants an idea in their mind. Afterward, they are certain that they experienced something, or saw something happened, that never actually did happen. The interrogation techniqus don't need to include any type of torture.

And then there are the people who are certain that they've been abducted by aliens and given an anal probe.

Faith in God is one thing, but you have far too much faith in free will and self-determination. Their existence is more limited than you might believe.

If you had been adopted by Hindu parents in India when you were an infant, it is highly doubtful that would be Catholic now.

I accept the possibility that I am wrong about who Jesus was and what God is.Do you think that you could possibly be wrong about what you believe, Thatguy12345?

John: 3:36, if yo uread the actual context you will realize john said this NOT Jesus. As well you don't have the right translation, its not of those words.Act: 4:12 Thats not in any of the bibles I have read, here are two passages from 4:12, 2 seperate bibles and publishing companies. "Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom god has given can save us."As well as "For all the names in the world given to men, there is only one which we can be saved" That doesn't mean if you do not beleive in him you will not be saved, it just means he is the only one who can save us.JN 14:6 Thsi is only half of the statement, and the statement doesn't state that we are all screwed. "I am the way, the truth, and the life No one can come to the father except through me, if you know me, you know my father to. From this moment you know him and have seen him. Another thing, that quote means the person who put this together got their information from different places, why would the say John, then use the abbreviation JN?John 3:18 "The Biggy" Condemn: To express disapproval of. Therefore they are being disapproved of, since when does this mean they will not be allowed into the kingdom of god.I am not attacking you at all, in fact it seems like you are attacking, you let your emotions take over you to much, you become defensive of your beliefs, just as anyone should. But don't let it cloud your awareness of others. I have shown you the right interpretations of the bible. Whether you choose to believe is totally up to you.

No beleif is wrong, Until proven wrong. That is why it is a beleif, because it has not been proven either way.

I agree with what WSI just posted. And back to your claim....According to the Roman Catholic catechism, salvation can only be obtained through the Catholic church:Quote:The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism explains: `For it is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained. See this Web page .