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What does preliminary work mean?

When an Atheist says religion doesn't work, what do they mean specifically?

  • What do you mean by “religion”? If you mean “the worship of a deity or deities” where do you put Buddhism in that? Some people would class Confucianism as a religion when it is basically an ethical code. In the Catholic tradition, “religion” has a very precise meaning. Saying “religion doesn't work” would, in light of that particular meaning (namely, the practical observance of one’s duties to God and neighbor) be a nonsense saying since “religion” is all about doing the works God requires such as clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, etc. Religion has, in that sense specifically, worked extremely well for centuries. In addition to work, there is contemplation. Indeed, some of the contemplation gave rise to the sciences because the West came to the settled conviction that the universe was knowable because both it and we were the creation of a God who made us intelligent and it intelligible. (Note before jerking knee: I am not speaking here of “Intelligent Design” but of the philosophic matrix from which the sciences arose.) Of course, I doubt that by “religion” you mean Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy or liturgical duties to a deity. I suspect you mean something like “Religion doesn’t work at telling us anything about the physical universe”. But then that’s sort of like saying Krishna would have been a bad bowler. The purpose of Religion is not to give us scientific information any more than to give us bowling tips. It is to give affirmative dimensions of the human spirit that find expression in religion. From this conception of value are derived the three central dimensions of religious experience: Connection with Creation, Devotion to Humanity, and Union with the Divine. What do you mean it doesn't work specifically?

  • Answer:

    I think you need to ask the specific atheist who says that. I think that religion works if your motives are to subjugate a population and control their minds.

Fruitpunchsamurai at Answerbag.com Visit the source

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Religion is any sets of beliefs with a codified system of morality, a creation myth, an explanation of the nature of the universe, a "purpose" for life, and generally a supernatural god. Religions don't work because they are not created "to give affirmative dimensions of the human spirit that find expression in religion," they are created to explain the origins, function, and purpose of the world(creation). Most religions fail the test of rationality at the very first step, they do not posit a way for god to have come into being. They fail again in creation mythology as we can see that the world is not resting on the back of a turtle, nor was the world created in 6 days. Nor do any(major) religions provide for Evolution. Religions also fail philosophically, spiritually, morally, and socially. The only things religion does succeed at is indoctrination, thought control, and making people feel morally justified in their beliefs, even when said beliefs are obviously immoral. Religion is a failure.

ConservativelyLiberal

Many folks claim that their religion makes them a better person. Despite the fact that said religion doesn't stop many others from molesting kids, for example. I say that it's not the religion that made them a better person.

Moongrim

it doesn't work 'for them'.....

thatsJustme

atheists are morons

UnpleasantGuy.

There could be many reasons, and I would expect them to be related primarily to whatever specific religions were followed where that atheist grew up. Thus my particular answer (below) relate primarily to the Abrahamic religions. The Abrahamic religions promotes absolutes. "ONLY ONE GOD, anything else is is heathen idolatry", Good people who believe in God (in their particular right way) and Evil people who worship Satan. They dont really have room for an in-between, you are either saved, or else on the road to eternal damnation. That is not a very productive view when it comes to rehabilitation of criminals, or when you need to make compromises in social situations. "My way or the highway", "With us or against us", ... The very notion of compromize or "respect for those who disagree" becomes suspect and something to be avoided, particularly if some scripture can be found (or interpreted as) concerning the situation. Doctrinal Absolutes impede or stop social and scientific progress, and should be avoided whenever possible. Often they even muddy the issues so the real and rational objections to some new idea are not heard in the debate. regards JakobA

JakobA I^_^I the alooney

I think religion works all too well.

Prunesquallor

It all depends on book has so many interpretations. The bible spawned different religions because no one can agree on what way to interpret it. That could be the reason why they said that. The bible also started many wars in the past and lead people to judge others in harsh ways because they rather use there brains rather than be lead by blind faith.

rpgman

Atheists say this because they are lonley shut ins who need attention. When they were little boys and girls they would say LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME everytime they had a new trick to show mom and dad.

hallagan

i'm not an atheist and i think religion does not work. it doesn't help advance knowledge, it already dictates everything about the universe in its core doctrine. it is a lazy organisation that is exempt from tax, and it gathers people to church every sunday for nothing useful.

Simply Pengu

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