I’m not so much defending religion as opposing your point of view that it’s a marker of insanity. In fact, most things that bring people closer together as a cohesive community are positive, whether that’s hobbies, interests or beliefs. Its only when it spills into doing harm to others that it becomes a problem (e.g. in certain aspects of sports, nationalism, and religion) but I still don’t think it’s a greater marker of ill mental health than a lot of other things we take for granted
Then allow me to refine my point to specify organized religion’s teachings. Sure, many develop a community, but they develop a community that specifically judges and ostracizes anyone not conforming to their extremely narrow belief system.
Most of organized religions leverage those negative aspects to further control their ‘flock’. There are many aspects that are outright horrible for individuals, not the least of which is believing things for the simple fact that an authority said so.
I’m not against people building community. I am very against people building insular, hierarchical, tyrranical systems that brainwash people into foolish or down right horrible behavior.
The Jehovah’s Witness are pretty bad for all that… as are Scientologists, a load of cults, Elan Schools, and arguably even the military and manosphere. Many of these don’t necessarily bring religion into things.
Our shared objection is the human capacity for imposing power, subjugation and control of others. Where we differ is that Religion is any more a factor in that than anything else.
I’ll grant you there’s probably quasi-religious elements to more cults across history than not, mind. I guess its an easier path than most to abuse of power, if you can convince people and even more powerful entity is on your side
Yea people are crazy, so why would you defend something that makes them even less attached to reality??
I’m not so much defending religion as opposing your point of view that it’s a marker of insanity. In fact, most things that bring people closer together as a cohesive community are positive, whether that’s hobbies, interests or beliefs. Its only when it spills into doing harm to others that it becomes a problem (e.g. in certain aspects of sports, nationalism, and religion) but I still don’t think it’s a greater marker of ill mental health than a lot of other things we take for granted
Then allow me to refine my point to specify organized religion’s teachings. Sure, many develop a community, but they develop a community that specifically judges and ostracizes anyone not conforming to their extremely narrow belief system.
Most of organized religions leverage those negative aspects to further control their ‘flock’. There are many aspects that are outright horrible for individuals, not the least of which is believing things for the simple fact that an authority said so.
I’m not against people building community. I am very against people building insular, hierarchical, tyrranical systems that brainwash people into foolish or down right horrible behavior.
The Jehovah’s Witness are pretty bad for all that… as are Scientologists, a load of cults, Elan Schools, and arguably even the military and manosphere. Many of these don’t necessarily bring religion into things.
Our shared objection is the human capacity for imposing power, subjugation and control of others. Where we differ is that Religion is any more a factor in that than anything else.
I’ll grant you there’s probably quasi-religious elements to more cults across history than not, mind. I guess its an easier path than most to abuse of power, if you can convince people and even more powerful entity is on your side