Comments on: Religions, cults and fads are the fault of technology

By: sebastian

sebastian — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:56 +0000

Sara — it’s very unlikely that Christianity originally took the ‘repent and go to Heaven’ form. That probably came a little while later when some bishops/kings/whatever realised the control that they could wield with such dogma.

Most religion starts off helpful, clean, just, and then heads off into badness when a bad/evil person enters the fray.

Melissa — yes, technology is a tool to an end of some sort. But the goals shift and technology changes to accommodate — or vice-versa. Problem is, technology is entirely limited by our knowledge — which is why you see weird stuff like phrenology or leeches or [insert weird stuff here]. But as our knowledge increases, it makes old technology look positively weird.

I think most people only hold onto their religion for fear of what life will be like without that crutch. But that’s just an opinion

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:43:36 +0000

Aha, you make much more sense now. I guess if it requires belief or faith, it’s not a real technology, is it? I always thought the word “technology” implied (or flat-out stated? Dammit, I’m up past my bedtime again….) that there was a standard, definite way to get the same result every time. As in, whether or not you *believe* the method will work.

By: Sara Strand

Sara Strand — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:33:39 +0000

Well I’ve always believed that religion is kind of a joke and it doesn’t matter which avenue of religion you take- it’s all kind of cultish. I believe in something after you die, but I think the whole concept of fessing up to your sins seems kind of lame. I mean, if a pedophile says, “Hi. I’m sorry, but I touch kids inappropriately and I feel bad”, technically if he’s confessed that means God is ok with that and therefore as a society we should be because God is. I get quite a bit of flack on the religion thing but the whole idea that masses of people are following the directions of a book, supposedly left by God in some pile of rubble somewhere to be discovered by someone who then in turn preaches “the word” to us seems like we’re pretty damn gullible. I mean, how do you know some guy, bored out of his wits, didn’t just write this up? That he wasn’t 7 shades of crazy when doing so? And yet people believe it, and then look at the cults who all kill themselves for some higher purpose like they are the nuts. And I think people cling to religion because they have no other answers to anything. I also think it’s horribly selfish for people to be asking for miracles only when something goes wrong. You have cancer? Well hot damn- let’s pray! Technically, shouldn’t you be praying thanks everytime something positive happened? Hey- you paid your utility bill and water came on! Let’s pray! I appreciate that everyone needs something of importance in their life- religion just doesn’t jive or pass the litmus test of common sense for me. But I agree- what if one day technology gives us that medical fix- one zap and you are perfectly healthy, what would people do? I suppose they’d say it’s a gift from God of course, so let’s continue praying. But is that really the best thing? To just be able to cure somebody? Sure, nobody wants to see a loved one pass away, but really- that’s what we’re here to do. We live for awhile then die. Are we challenging God by seeking treatment?

By: sebastian

sebastian — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:34:36 +0000

Hehe, nothing wrong with rambling… it’s usually a more-direct line to your actual thoughts… filtering isn’t always good!

I’m saying that back then, the idea that this guy had a hot-line to God wasn’t so far-fetched.

Today, if I tell you that God talks to me, you’ll probably step away slowly with your back pressed to the wall.

As our understanding of the universe changes, our concept of what is ‘religious’ (i.e. worthy of faith/belief) also changes.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:43:00 +0000

Am I over-tired or are you assuming that all religions are is smoke and mirrors? Supposing a religion actually did have the technology to talk to God…. if the technology were to be revealed, I think the religion would be okay. So are you saying the technology is only cool because it’s mysterious, or that it’s only pretend technology… OR are you really saying “Go to bed, Melissa, you’re rambling terribly and need to read it again in the morning”?