CelestialLoveKitty wrote:
As a whole, Christianity (Catholic or Protestant) runs at odds with "science" much more than any other religion. Which poses no problem for many believers because, as I noted, the utility of the belief is of far greater importance.

Because it's easier to "believe" than to THINK.  And also when "thinking" one might discover that one's beliefs were WRONG so better not to "think" at all!


Hello, CLK. How are you? I understand, and wish it were so simple. Religion provides a framework through which believers can filter, digest and address their lives. Included in that framework is a high degree of emotional investment, which has no counterpart in brute scientific hypothesis or theory. In addition, religions have adapted highly effective immunization strategies and persecution complexes. Although the religion itself may consist of a set of codified beliefs, principles, rites etc., individuals believe for individual reasons, so I cannot say that they do not think, so much as think through a filter. If I may offer an example...a person that I work with was quite the beer drinker and also excessively "flirty" with women who were not his wife. I do not know if he engaged in extramarital affairs physically, but most certainly mentally. As is often the case in situations such as this, he was presented with the ultimatum of straightening up and flying right, or divorce was imminent. As is also often the case, he found religion. That was roughly two years ago, they're doing wonderful today. The goals were simple. Don't drink to excess and keep his mind where it belongs, on his wife and family. For whatever reason, he was unable to complete these goals without the assistance of belief in God. The point is...what do I care about HOW he salvaged his marriage and ceased damaging his body? The utility of the belief is where the importance is placed. He thinks that it helped him. And, from all evidences, it did! That is not an evidence of the truth of any religious proposition, of course, as such a goal can and has been acheived by varying methods involving different Gods, Godesses, no deities whatsoever, etc.

"Stupidity is the basic building block of the universe."

Zappa