Will religion fade out? Options

[*Steven*]

I think eventually religion will just fade out.

To the Debate Forum!

Nope. People need religion. There are so many who don't want to search for an answer or an explanation to the unexplained, and religion is a very easy answer. Why did this happen? Oh, god's will!

So, will religion fade out? Maybe organized religion? Ideas? Thoughts?

[MissHygienic]

I think you underestimate the power of parental influence. Pissing and shitting in your diapers is drastically different than growing up with a specific set of values, and in this case, religious values. This isn't about the sacredness and discipline of religion, or the consequences of religion in our history. This is about why religion will never die out.

I was not saying that religious people are weak or ignorant because one person's lies might be another person's truth. I was acknowledging the fact that from a very early age, people gather and absorb information from all different sources, and they naturally have to make something out of the information they get. What do you make of indoctrinations? Most likely, it will be from their parents, religious or not, and eventually that information holds much truth and value to them whether you like it or not. Religion is a specific set of philosophies and doctrines that are often taught to young children as infallibly correct. This trend will never die.

Religious zealots have strong and committed beliefs, so they are likely to pass it on to their children. Especially children who have no mental defenses to the pressures that are put on them to believe a certain set of values. There are some dangers in this, but not as much danger as parents who refuse to teach their child any belief or moral code, because they might think a child will simply evolve into the perfect being under God.

Each religion emphasizes a different set of values, and as long as these values exist within society, so will religion. I didn't say all, but many people don't question their values. They might question and get somewhere or they may never get anywhere. In general, people make the best decisions they can with the information that they have available to them, whether it's to defy or support religion.

[kryogenix]

I think you underestimate the power of parental influence. Pissing and shitting in your diapers is drastically different than growing up with a specific set of values, and in this case, religious values. This isn't about the sacredness and discipline of religion, or the consequences of religion in our history. This is about why religion will never die out.

I was not saying that religious people are weak or ignorant because one person's lies might be another person's truth. I was acknowledging the fact that from a very early age, people gather and absorb information from all different sources, and they naturally have to make something out of the information they get. What do you make of indoctrinations? Most likely, it will be from their parents, religious or not, and eventually that information holds much truth and value to them whether you like it or not. Religion is a specific set of philosophies and doctrines that are often taught to young children as infallibly correct. This trend will never die.

Religious zealots have strong and committed beliefs, so they are likely to pass it on to their children. Especially children who have no mental defenses to the pressures that are put on them to believe a certain set of values. There are some dangers in this, but not as much danger as parents who refuse to teach their child any belief or moral code, because they might think a child will simply evolve into the perfect being under God.

Each religion emphasizes a different set of values, and as long as these values exist within society, so will religion. I didn't say all, but many people don't question their values. They might question and get somewhere or they may never get anywhere. In general, people make the best decisions they can with the information that they have available to them, whether it's to defy or support religion.

I'm not denying the effect parents have on their children. What you're denying is people's ability to change that.

You're around your parents how many hours a day? And how many hours are you with your peers? 65% of high school students stop attending church after they graduate. How much of that 65% were influenced by their parents to leave their religion?

Go to Europe, where church attendance is very very low. Ask someone who still goes to church over there why they go to church. Chances are, they'll give you a better answer than "because my parents told me so."

When religion is on the decline, it will be those who have challenged and strengthened their faith- not the hopelessly indoctrinated- that will remain faithful.

[MissHygienic]

I'm not denying the effect parents have on their children. What you're denying is people's ability to change that.

You're around your parents how many hours a day? And how many hours are you with your peers? 65% of high school students stop attending church after they graduate. How much of that 65% were influenced by their parents to leave their religion?

Go to Europe, where church attendance is very very low. Ask someone who still goes to church over there why they go to church. Chances are, they'll give you a better answer than "because my parents told me so."

When religion is on the decline, it will be those who have challenged and strengthened their faith- not the hopelessly indoctrinated- that will remain faithful.

Well, let me clarify that I am fully cognizant that there are as many lazy atheists as there are theists. Faith will never diminish for people, and moreover, I don't believe religion will ever be on a decline to the point of being non-existent. I haven't met a lot of religious people who can explain to me, coherently, why they practice their beliefs, and not what they practice. And for these people, I don't think they will gather the ability to change that when they have not questioned or critically thought about the, "Why?" aspect.