Few questions about religions

[fundamentals]

1) Everything that happens in the universe has a reason. Everything happened indirectly. Nothing was directly put into the universe by a supernatural force. If there was a God, why did all species emerge randomly through evolution? Why did God use evolution instead of creation? What would have happened if humans had evolved and then failed to survive and became extinct?

2) There are so many things in the holy books that contradict current science. For example, the Quran is a book that contradicts evolution. But evolution is a thing which is completely proven. "The theory of evolution" refers to the scientific model that explains how evolution occurs. evolution itself is real. Only Charles Darwin's idea of how evolution happened is a theory. But in science, a theory is a verified and explained explanation supported by observations, experiments and scientific research. Therefore, a theory is not an idea or a guess, but a scientifically verified and validated concept.

3) The fact that we are not at the center of the universe, that there are infinite amount of galaxies, stars and planets, so there are infinite amount of potentially habitable planets almost proves that we are not alone in the universe. (basically aliens does exist.) The Bible describes the earth as the center of the universe. Also it seems weird to me that humans have existed on earth for at least 300,000 years, but the current holy books came only 1500 to 4000 years ago at maximum.

4) We all have different childhoods, and human psychology varies depending on what kind of childhood you had and what circumstances you grew up in. Those who have had a bad childhood, those who have been exposed to psychological violence, are often more prone to crime. So you can't judge people who had a good childhood and people who had a bad childhood equally and put them in heaven or hell for acting good or bad.

5) If the world was created for human beings and we all have a purpose, why did the dinosaurs live for 165 million years without knowing anything about God? What was the reason? And why are there dysfunctional planets created in the universe that don't even have stars around them?

I would be very grateful if people knowledgeable about these things could answer my questions. I am really curious. Have a nice sunday.

 

[crossfire]

Buddha said that if you are out of your mind if you conjecture about the origin of the world. **shrugs**

 

[sun rise]

Why did God use evolution instead of creation?

That's like asking a dog why a human puts on clothes. Humans can't understand the mind of the Divine.

2)

That's a statement not a question.

Also it seems weird to me that humans have existed on earth for at least 300,000 years, but the current holy books came only 1500 to 4000 years ago at maximum.

The universe is evolving as is human society. Much from the past has been lost.

So you can't judge people who had a good childhood and people who had a bad childhood equally and put them in heaven or hell for acting good or bad.

True.

5) If the world was created for human beings and we all have a purpose, why did the dinosaurs live for 165 million years without knowing anything about God? What was the reason?

That's the same question as #1.

If you want to get really boggled, look at one system of ages from Hinduism that postulates the life of Brahma to be much much longer than the life of the current universe. "Brahmā lives one hundred of such "years" and then dies. These "hundred years" total 311 trillion 40 billion (311,040,000,000,000) earth years."

 

[Quintessence]

I'm afraid I can't answer any of your questions because they do not really apply to my religion or theological viewpoint. But this does raise an important issue - mind the assumptions you bring to the table. Both theology and religion are startlingly diverse and varied. Some religions are theistic, some are non-theistic. Within theistic religions, some understand gods to be supernatural, others do not. Some religions place great emphasis on what is believed, while others place great emphasis on what you do or practice. One could go on for several thousand volumes about the heterogeneity and diversity of the cultural phenomena called religion, as well as on theological perspectives. If you're really interested, consider taking a comparative religion course of some sort.

 

[fundamentals]

That's like asking a dog why a human puts on clothes. Humans can't understand the mind of the Divine.

That's a statement not a question.

The universe is evolving as is human society. Much from the past has been lost.

True.

That's the same question as #1.

If you want to get really boggled, look at one system of ages from Hinduism that postulates the life of Brahma to be much much longer than the life of the current universe. "Brahmā lives one hundred of such "years" and then dies. These "hundred years" total 311 trillion 40 billion (311,040,000,000,000) earth years."

You are just being evasive. Evolution is a process in which everything has the possibility of occurring. i am saying that mankind could not have survived in that process, and you just quote one of my sentences and give an inadequate answer. i am just asking, why are you doing this? if you really cannot answer, you can choose not to answer.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

5) If the world was created for human beings and we all have a purpose, why did the dinosaurs live for 165 million years without knowing anything about God? What was the reason? And why are there dysfunctional planets created in the universe that don't even have stars around them?

I hesitate to assume non-humans don’t have any kind of religion. I don’t think that we have established enough common linguistic knowledge to ask them if they do.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Buddha said that if you are out of your mind if you conjecture about the origin of the world. **shrugs**

Well, fortunately I am sufficiently mentally ill,lol.

 

[fundamentals]

I hesitate to assume non-humans don’t have any kind of religion. I don’t think that we have established enough common linguistic knowledge to ask them if they do.

They are not intelligent. How can they? They are all driven by instinct, not intelligence.

 

[LuisDantas]

1) Everything that happens in the universe has a reason. Everything happened indirectly. Nothing was directly put into the universe by a supernatural force. If there was a God, why did all species emerge randomly through evolution? Why did God use evolution instead of creation? What would have happened if humans had evolved and then failed to survive and became extinct?

* No, not everything has a reason. Even when there are reasons, there are often multiple ones acting together with fairly unpredictable results.

* Not everything happens or happened "indirectly" either. Direct actions with direct results are definitely part of existence.

* I don't know what a supernatural force would be. Do you?

* Species do not emerge randomly; the mutations do. Evolution is guided by selective pressure.

* No idea. It depends on what you would expect of a god, I suppose.

* Plenty of species and even specifically Homo Sapiens do in fact become extinct. Our time will doubtlessly come as well. So, I guess the answer is "much the same thing".

2) There are so many things in the holy books that contradict current science. For example, the Quran is a book that contradicts evolution. But evolution is a thing which is completely proven. "The theory of evolution" refers to the scientific model that explains how evolution occurs. evolution itself is real. Only Charles Darwin's idea of how evolution happened is a theory. But in science, a theory is a verified and explained explanation supported by observations, experiments and scientific research. Therefore, a theory is not an idea or a guess, but a scientifically verified and validated concept.

Yes, that is the gist of it.

3) The fact that we are not at the center of the universe, that there are infinite amount of galaxies, stars and planets, so there are infinite amount of potentially habitable planets almost proves that we are not alone in the universe. (basically aliens does exist.) The Bible describes the earth as the center of the universe. Also it seems weird to me that humans have existed on earth for at least 300,000 years, but the current holy books came only 1500 to 4000 years ago at maximum.

Indeed. Even on Earth, it is not all about us humans.

4) We all have different childhoods, and human psychology varies depending on what kind of childhood you had and what circumstances you grew up in. Those who have had a bad childhood, those who have been exposed to psychological violence, are often more prone to crime. So you can't judge people who had a good childhood and people who had a bad childhood equally and put them in heaven or hell for acting good or bad.

I guess you can, at least hypothetically. But it won't be an exercise of being fair and just.

5) If the world was created for human beings and we all have a purpose, why did the dinosaurs live for 165 million years without knowing anything about God? What was the reason?

Because gods were invented by humans?

And why are there dysfunctional planets created in the universe that don't even have stars around them?

I don't know about that. Maybe you are talking about planets that did not fully form or that escaped their own stars somehow?

 

[crossfire]

I hesitate to assume non-humans don’t have any kind of religion. I don’t think that we have established enough common linguistic knowledge to ask them if they do.

Hey, the neighborhood cats would regularly leave me offerings on my porch.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Buddha said that if you are out of your mind if you conjecture about the origin of the world. **shrugs**

Good thing we know how worlds are made now. Puts one's mind at ease on the matter.

 

[1213]

...why did all species emerge randomly through evolution? ...

Why do you believe in evolution?

3) The fact that we are not at the center of the universe,

How would you prove that?
By modern knowledge everything seems to be moving away from earth. That indicates earth is the center.

Perception, though, is not reality: our eyeballs don’t hint that beyond nearby planets, stars and galaxies, everything is moving away from us. The universe is constantly expanding—at an ever faster rate.

Will the Universe Ever Stop Expanding?

Scientists debate what the future of the cosmos looks like and whether space will ever stop getting bigger and bigger

www.scientificamerican.com

The Bible describes the earth as the center of the universe.

Where?

Also it seems weird to me that humans have existed on earth for at least 300,000 years, but the current holy books came only 1500 to 4000 years ago at maximum.

I think that is a good point. If humans would have existed 300,000, it is amazing that they developed for example computers only lately.

5) If the world was created for human beings and we all have a purpose, why did the dinosaurs live for 165 million years without knowing anything about God?

Sorry, I have no reason to believe they lived for 165 million years without knowing anything about God.

 

[sun rise]

You are just being evasive. Evolution is a process in which everything has the possibility of occurring. i am saying that mankind could not have survived in that process, and you just quote one of my sentences and give an inadequate answer. i am just asking, why are you doing this? if you really cannot answer, you can choose not to answer.

I answered.You did not like the answer. Typical for the internet.,

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

1) Everything that happens in the universe has a reason. Everything happened indirectly. Nothing was directly put into the universe by a supernatural force. If there was a God, why did all species emerge randomly through evolution? Why did God use evolution instead of creation? What would have happened if humans had evolved and then failed to survive and became extinct?

2) There are so many things in the holy books that contradict current science. For example, the Quran is a book that contradicts evolution. But evolution is a thing which is completely proven. "The theory of evolution" refers to the scientific model that explains how evolution occurs. evolution itself is real. Only Charles Darwin's idea of how evolution happened is a theory. But in science, a theory is a verified and explained explanation supported by observations, experiments and scientific research. Therefore, a theory is not an idea or a guess, but a scientifically verified and validated concept.

3) The fact that we are not at the center of the universe, that there are infinite amount of galaxies, stars and planets, so there are infinite amount of potentially habitable planets almost proves that we are not alone in the universe. (basically aliens does exist.) The Bible describes the earth as the center of the universe. Also it seems weird to me that humans have existed on earth for at least 300,000 years, but the current holy books came only 1500 to 4000 years ago at maximum.

4) We all have different childhoods, and human psychology varies depending on what kind of childhood you had and what circumstances you grew up in. Those who have had a bad childhood, those who have been exposed to psychological violence, are often more prone to crime. So you can't judge people who had a good childhood and people who had a bad childhood equally and put them in heaven or hell for acting good or bad.

5) If the world was created for human beings and we all have a purpose, why did the dinosaurs live for 165 million years without knowing anything about God? What was the reason? And why are there dysfunctional planets created in the universe that don't even have stars around them?

I would be very grateful if people knowledgeable about these things could answer my questions. I am really curious. Have a nice sunday.

Well, here is 3 other texts of religion than the one you wrote.

Religion | Definition, Types, Beliefs, Symbols, Examples, Importance, & Facts | Britannica

Religion, human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. Worship, moral conduct, right belief, and participation in religious institutions are among the constituent elements of the religious life.

www.britannica.com

"... in more humanistic or naturalistic forms of religion, they are expressed in terms of one’s relationship with or attitudes toward the broader human community or the natural world. ..."

The Concept of Religion (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

plato.stanford.edu

"...
As Paul Griffiths notes, listening to the discussions about the concept religion

rapidly suggests the conclusion that hardly anyone has any idea what they are talking about—or, perhaps more accurately, that there are so many different ideas in play about what religion is that conversations in which the term figures significantly make the difficulties in communication at the Tower of Babel seem minor and easily dealt with. These difficulties are apparent, too, in the academic study of religion, and they go far toward an explanation of why the discipline has no coherent or widely shared understanding of its central topic. (2000: 30)

..."

What is Religion?

"... Religion is the most intensive and comprehensive method of valuing that is experienced by humankind. ..."

So the fact is that depending on how you understand religion, it is only about the supernatural or not just about the supernatural.

Indeed this piece of text could be considered religious:
" ...
Definitions
Atheism is the comprehensive world view of persons who are free from theism and have freed themselves of supernatural beliefs altogether. It is predicated on ancient Greek Materialism.

Atheism involves the mental attitude that unreservedly accepts the supremacy of reason and aims at establishing a life-style and ethical outlook verifiable by experience and the scientific method, independent of all arbitrary assumptions of authority and creeds.

Materialism declares that the cosmos is devoid of immanent conscious purpose; that it is governed by its own inherent, immutable, and impersonal laws; that there is no supernatural interference in human life; that humankind, finding the resources within themselves, can and must create their own destiny. It teaches that we must prize our life on earth and strive always to improve it. It holds that human beings are capable of creating a social system based on reason and justice. Materialism’s ‘faith’ is in humankind and their ability to transform the world culture by their own efforts. This is a commitment that is, in its very essence, life-asserting. It considers the struggle for progress as a moral obligation that is impossible without noble ideas that inspire us to bold, creative works. Materialism holds that our potential for good and more fulfilling cultural development is, for all practical purposes, unlimited. ..."

Our Vision

We envision a world in which policies are made using the best evidence we have rather than using religious dogma.

www.atheists.org

So welcome, but even what religion is, is maybe not that simple.

 

[Mock Turtle]

They are not intelligent. How can they? They are all driven by instinct, not intelligence.

This is simply not true, and even if most non-humans are driven by instinct, this applies to much of human behaviour too. Such that it is only a portion of our behaviours that involves intelligence - with much of this being apparent because we as a species have the advantage of complex symbolic language, and seemingly being the only species to have invented such as far as we know.

We are still in the very early stages of understanding what goes on in the minds of non-human life, and if we refer to intelligence as just the way that humans use such we will not get very far in even understanding what intelligence others might have. Given that the behaviours of so many species does seem to imply intelligence rather than simple instinct at work - even if much of this might be of the 'oh, look at what I have found' sort - and which is much the same as what humans do all too often. That is, recognising a solution when playing about with things. And we have to look at the aims of intelligence - if there is such - in solving whatever problems arise.

The fact is that we have a long way to go before we understand what goes on in any non-human mind.

 

[ChristineM]

What would have happened if humans had evolved and then failed to survive and became extinct?

Who knows, there would be no humans to tell the tale

Therefore, a theory is not an idea or a guess, but a scientifically verified and validated concept.

A theory is not proof, evolution is the best, most tested most observed way forward.

The fact that we are not at the center of the universe, that there are infinite amount of galaxies, stars and planets,

As i understand it, in an infinite universe everywhere is the centre.

basically aliens does exist.

Quite probably.

Also it seems weird to me that humans have existed on earth for at least 300,000 years, but the current holy books came only 1500 to 4000 years ago at maximum.

Takes a long time to create the stories good enough to keep the masses under control ;-)

So you can't judge people who had a good childhood and people who had a bad childhood equally and put them in heaven or hell for acting good or bad.

Assuming heaven and hell actually exist.

If the world was created for human beings and we all have a purpose, why did the dinosaurs live for 165 million years without knowing anything about God?

Ah ha, checkmate god believer's.

And why are there dysfunctional planets created in the universe that don't even have stars around them?

Need to study some astronomy here, but I'm guessing planetary collisions, exploding stars, gravitational eddies etc pushed or pulled them from their host star.

And a great big welcome to RF

 

[ChristineM]

They are not intelligent. How can they? They are all driven by instinct, not intelligence.

There are many intelligent animals out there, some have or will soon be entertaining their version of the stone age.

 

[We Never Know]

Who knows, there would be no humans to tell the tale




A theory is not proof, evolution is the best, most tested most observed way forward.



As i understand it, in an infinite universe everywhere is the centre.




Quite probably.



Takes a long time to create the stories good enough to keep the masses under control ;-)




Assuming heaven and hell actually exist.



Ah ha, checkmate god believer's.



Need to study some astronomy here, but I'm guessing planetary collisions, exploding stars, gravitational eddies etc pushed or pulled them from their host star.

And a great big welcome to RF

"Takes a long time to create the stories good enough to keep the masses under control ;-)".

Do you really think religion keeps the masses under control?
I think religion keeps the masses out of control. Holy wars for one example.

 

[ChristineM]

"Takes a long time to create the stories good enough to keep the masses under control ;-)".

Do you really think religion keeps the masses under control?
I think religion keeps the masses out of control. Holy wars for one example.

Even the holy wars are controlled, without religious masses there would be no one to willingly battle in the name of their god at their priests command

 

[Secret Chief]

They are not intelligent. How can they? They are all driven by instinct, not intelligence.

(Hold my beer)