Understanding Religion's Relationship To Human Social Systems

Someone asked: "If anyone is searching for real truth in this day and age of deception on every side. why not trust a reliable source? I have found the only reliable source for me is someone who cannot lie, on whose very laws the universe is controlled.  I believe the very essence of God's (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) words is truth; and all His just regulations will stand forever. Can you think of a more infallible source of truth?" ----- In reply, ...  I too would LOVE IT if there was an infallible and personally invested super-parent who could help guide me in life. But I wouldn't rely on that any more than I had to. And the goal would be to reach a point where I seldom need any advice. And yet, ... wanting something or even feeling a need for something doesn't make it so. So we can't really justify saying "Well, since I'm screwed without X, then X must exist". Reality doesn't work that way. Instead, we must accept full responsibility; 

Responding to this video:  ( link )  So my reply to that video was this: Replies to my comment (so far) were as follows: I admit. That was satisfying to read. But then here comes this from someone else: Now, rather than post further replies directly there, I've decided to respond in a blog. I'll drop a link in the comments of that video.  So here it is. My reply:  What could possibly be better than this reality? Have you ever actually been to Earth? I don't know what it's like on your planet. But we recently had a young woman who was locked in to her own brain, unable to move or communicate in any way; except maybe to move her eyelids. That's not unique. It happens to a lot of people. But she MELTED into her couch (link). It took many years to die. Her psychopath parents kept her there; just to abuse her. No one checked on her. We don't even have laws in place that assure active oversight for all persons diagnosed with anything which cau

Today, someone said: "The only proper response to an emotional appeal is no response at all. Anyone resorting to that clearly doesn't have a valid logical argument. They're just trying to manipulate you." ------ Some replied to that by saying: "Perhaps, if you are a Vulcan. Humans, however, have emotions, and smart humans acknowledge they are a part of any equation. Any logical reasoning should include the very human emotions compassion and empathy. Being heartless is not a virtue." ------- In reply, someone else asked: "are more psychopaths or more emotional people in jail for murder?" ------- My thoughts about this: The initial proposition lacks needed context. There are some context where I'd agree. There are others where I'd disagree.  But let's consider the replies which have landed on the table thus far.  Psychopaths are motivated by intense emotions. Non-Psychopaths enter a temporarily psychopathic state when they commit violen

In a "Stoicism" discussion group,  someone posted this:  One man replied this way: " This would be more accurate if they chopped down the tree in the last image. Then everyone will be equal. Equally poor off which is what their approach really creates. " --- Now, I realize going into this, ...  I'm not going to have an immediately large impact on anyone's worldview; no matter what I say, and no matter how I say it.   Human psychology doesn't work that way. In fact,  I expect very little in the form of positive reply, in the forum where this discussion was happening. Most "Stoics", from what I've seen, are political Conservatives.  However,  for me, this is good mental exercise. Perhaps I'll even be able plant a few seeds along the way.  Here's how that discussion unfolded: I offered this, in reply : What you've said there is a socially, politically, and economically Conservative view. And I'm open to being enlightened about

  ​A Christian on Youtube (  Bread of Life)  says " I agree that determinism can be comforting, and can help people forgive others more easily. ". She then asks: "But it also absolves humans of moral responsibility, doesn't it? Are you okay with absolving dictators for slaughtering thousands or millions? Just wondering. Thanks!" --------------------------------------------------- Excellent question, Rebekah. My answer is: Yes. It can have that effect. It can make such people feel absolved of past, current, and future moral obligations. I wouldn't say it absolves them. Such behaviors are still "bad" within the context of having objectively rational and healthfully-emotional reasons to decry those behaviors. Granted, there is still a necessarily-subjective aspect of all morality; since it all comes down to what a person subjectively values. And yet,... Since everyone *wants* to avoid their own suffering and maximize their

All appropriately credentialed historians agree that the fantastic, infallible, divine "Only begotten Son of God" character in bibles did not exist. Instead, SOME historians say that one-or-more fallible, mortal Jewish guys inspired someone to create fictional stories about a fictional religious-Superhero. The rest of historians say it's a total fabrication.   That lore was created using already-established religious concepts  from other religions fictions; like dying and rising gods, human sacrifice, scapegoating, etc.. Zero (none; not any) appropriasie scholars  say those stories (as written) are true. They all reject the miracle parts as mythical. Notice: The first person to ever write about Super-Jesus (aka "Jesus Christ) was Saul/Paul. Saul/Paul admitted basing ALL OF IT on mental visions. These would be mental visions he either lied about or that he hallucinated . Decades later (either late-1st century, or possibly starting in the 2nd century), some other pe

A Christian Fundamentalist asked me this today: "would you endure (your perceptions) over long periods of torture?" -- My reply: That's a question for scientists who study the way our minds work. But sure. It's is possible to use torture as a means of brainwashing. And some minds would prove more resilient than others, to that method of brainwashing. So? ------------------------------------------- He then asked: "Or would your mind be swayed? " -- My reply: No one knows how well their mind would stand up to any given form of cognition-manipulation until they've experienced it. However, ... any such torturer would have an especially difficult time using such a method on me. Why? Because I would immediately say whatever they want me to say. So then they wouldn't have the necessary resistance to break. It's hard to break a stick that bends easily. So I'd keep thinking whatever I thought before, while saying whatever they want to hear. My perc