Does Religion have a place in the modern world?

[rosscruz89]

First I am working from the assumption that the core metaphysical claims of the various religions are impossible to prove either way so all that remains to talk about is the effect of religious belief and religious practice on individuals and groups.
The question then becomes: “does religion have a place in modern lives?” and of course that leads to other questions: “do you mean lives in New York or lives in Tehran?”. Despite the effects of globalisation ,not least in the way we see the world but also the effect it has on the world, there are still clearly definable and for the most part separate civilisations in the world.
So if we are not going to be specific about the civilisation, and “modern” is arguably a somewhat civilisation-specific word, the question then becomes “does religion have and place in contemporary lives?” with equally important follow up question :
“Whether yes or no, is there a case for a conscious effort to either instil or discourage religious belief?”
In order to be precise about the question we must be clear about to whom the question is directed. It is not directed at evangelists for example who will seek to spread religion due to their beliefs. For simplicity the question should be directed to two groups: First, secular individuals who have to make a decision about their children’s upbringing or generally someone who has to make a decision as to the benefits of religious belief for another individual. Second, individuals with power who through whatever means influence peoples beliefs; for example a leader of a theocracy or a media mogul.
So what does religion offer to the individual and to society as a whole? I suppose that question needs to be answered in relation to the other options and in reference to history.

(if this post sounds a bit weird thats because it was one of my first blog posts, i overformalise when im nervous)

I apologise if this is well worn territory but this being a religious forum im sure you wont mind.

 

[DavyCrocket2003]

Hey, welcome to the forum!

I guess your O.P. cuts out responses from anyone who believes in the dogma of religion; therefore, I will not attempt an answer.

 

[opuntia]

The question you should be asking is: Does the modern world have a place in religion?

 

[3.14]

aslong as there are tests in school there will be prayer

 

[Bedlam]

Atheist: "Certainly not! Religion is outdated and primal, and should only be used as a teaching tool to show young children what not to do with their lives!"

Theist: "Certainly not! The modern world is corrupt and shortsighted, and scientific thought only destroys the true word of god!"

.............

Well... old churches do have very pretty bells. I'm going with a resounding maybe on this one.

 

[Storm]

It's kind of like asking whether language has a place in the modern world. It's part of us.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Of course it does. People, as a population, will always need someone to tell them what to believe and what to do, and there will always be others more than willing to oblige.

 

[JMorris]

it has a place in people's homes and places of worship, not in the public arena.
if other people's religion had no effect on me, i certainly wouldnt have any problem with religion.
would any athiest/agnostic?
but if your interfering with civil rights, education, science, medicine, then i got a big problem with your religion (but mostly just you)

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

It is far too easy for the secular to adopt or evolve a shallow and myopic understanding of religion. I think there is value to be found in Yi-Fu Tuan's definition:

All human beings are religious if religion is broadly defined as the impulse for coherence and meaning.​

Actually, I believe it goes beyond this. Whether one views godliness as some set of (inferred or revealed) attributes of preternatural agency, or one views Deity as the reification of those attributes, there is, in my opinion, value in a people seeking a covenant with godliness, and that is the subtext of much organized religion. While we have endless arguments over such things as the historicity of the Flood, the religious community spends much of its time and effort building social bonds and effecting acts of kindness and charity.

 

[Breathe]

Of course it does. People, as a population, will always need someone to tell them what to believe and what to do, and there will always be others more than willing to oblige.

:yes:
I most definitely agree with you here.

Of course religion has a place in the modern world. It just needs to lose some, well, pushy-ness.

 

[Green Gaia]

It is far too easy for the secular to adopt or evolve a shallow and myopic understanding of religion. I think there is value to be found in Yi-Fu Tuan's definition:

All human beings are religious if religion is broadly defined as the impulse for coherence and meaning.​

Actually, I believe it goes beyond this. Whether one views godliness as some set of (inferred or revealed) attributes of preternatural agency, or one views Deity as the reification of those attributes, there is, in my opinion, value in a people seeking a covenant with godliness, and that is the subtext of much organized religion. While we have endless arguments over such things as the historicity of the Flood, the religious community spends much of its time and effort building social bonds and effecting acts of kindness and charity.

Five years later and you're still quoting that definition.

Five years later and I still haven't found a better one.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Five years later and you're still quoting that definition. Five years later and I still haven't found a better one.

Nice signature, GG. :yes:

 

[j76]

I agree