Because religion is a non-scientific system based on acceptance of unproven truths, the sudden loss of religious faith can have devastating consequences, as people turn to nihilism, thinking their is no truth, God, or meaning to life. This can be seen in Europe after WWI. The horrors committed in Europe in the Nazi period may have been the result of the release of conscience from the barriers to some higher authority. However, the solution is not a return to the brainwashing to religion. You cannot return to a naive state of ignorance once you have rejected the irrational precepts of religion. The alternative is what I suggest - not mindless religion, and not nihilism, but a science-based approach to the meaning of life that can be debated and analyzed, leading to a discovery of truth, not superstition.
I think much of the violence and nihilism we see in the Islamic world is a result of this process. As a group of people learn more about the world and realize that the comforting beliefs that they have held have no basis in scientific fact, they feel they must destroy this outside world (reality) or impose their worldview on it. The fact that I get about 25% of hits to this site from the Islamic world (Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, even Qatar) suggests that there are many Muslims who dare to question their culture and seek truth. I can only wish them luck in a struggle that will determine the future of humanity. I can't promise them that my view is correct and tradition religions are wrong - I can only say that it is my opinion that logic should be the starting point for studying any question - whether it is making a jet fly or the meaning of life.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
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2 comments:
Hi,
Well,this is a really interessting post.
I think that religion is something hard to really understand : we ought to do a very deep study before we can say this or this thing .
I think that you're right about that idea about religion and despair : Once someone loses the faith,he is lost.and many find the solution in extreme violence...
Altough,I think that many aspects of religion are in relation with science.It is the case for islam,my religion.
very pleased to post this com.
Feel free to answer me !
"The horrors committed in Europe in the Nazi period may have been the result of the release of conscience from the barriers to some higher authority. "
The horrors commited by the nazis is the culmination of the hatred of jews as practiced by christians for thousands of years. Hitler was a devout christian.
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