In the introduction to this book, Robert Royal discusses how religion (of whatever kind) has come under severe criticism in the modern age. What reasons does he give for the "contempt" with which the moderns and post-moderns tend to view religion? State some of the reasons below, then list 5 things you want to find out, or learn about, in order to assess the extent to which (if at all) the criticisms are valid.
Royal asserts that moderns and postmoderns view religion with contempt because they believe the religious past of the human race was the source of much evil. They thought religion would be forgotten like astrology and magic with the rise of science. I want to find out 1. Why is the war between science and religion not real? 2. What is the religious history of the human race? 3. What is human conflict due to if not religion? 4. Why were astrology and magic forgotten? 5. When were astrology and magic forgotten?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maddy. We'll definitely do some things with science and religion in the coming weeks.
DeleteAccording to Royal, many of people have ill feelings towards religion because of many reasons. For example, people blame religions for much of the evil that occurred in humanity in the past. Think of how many catholics murdered protestants, and vice versa, during the hectic Protestant Reformation in the 1500 and 1600 hundreds, or the loss of life between muslims and hindus during the partition of India. As well, many people are annoyed but just how stubborn religion appears to be. While other things like belief in magic have faded over the years, religion has not followed the same course and instead stayed permanent, much to the displeasure of the modernists. I want to find out:
ReplyDelete1. Why do people always pit science against religion?
2. Why is this supposed war not actually real?
3. Why do Europeans mean by "spiritual" but not religious?
4. Which states teach intelligent design?
5. Is there anywhere in the world that considers itself religion free?
Thanks, Jon. A lot of people equate intelligent design with religion, but most current writing on the topic treats it as science. It's tricky and I have a good video resource on how proponents of ID are being marginalized.
DeleteRoyal explains that one of the major problems that moderns have with religion is that there is no scientific basis. "As enlightenment and rationality spread, religion would weaken and disappear." Since religion is almost purely faith based not scientific, the increase of people thinking logically would decrease the amount of religious followers. Also, many people believe religion is the major cause of many major disasters in the past. For example, during the Black Death, million of jews were murdered because all other religions believed they created the plague.
ReplyDelete1. By what basis do people that believe in intellectual design, think evolution is factually incorrect?
2. Why do people always compare science and religion when they are completely different?
3. What are the main religious wars that have occurred in the past?
4. How do people attempt to prove their religious faith is true/correct?
5. What is the major cause of the human conflict if its not religious differences?
Thanks, Dave. Not sure millions of Jews were killed then, but your point is valid. The ID debate is interesting and I'd like to explore it. ID proponents don't think evolution is factually incorrect, just that it cannot explain origin of life or development of new body types in science.
DeleteAccording to Royal, modernists have contempt for religion because they believe the cruelty of the past and present is caused by faith. The persecution of people is driven by religious groups that conflict with differing groups. Full blown wars are caused by faith. Aside from that people are driven to make human sacrifices for religion, kill animals and destroy cultures. Religion is one of those mysterious side effects of our psyche that isn't physically necessary for survival but allows people to form bonds and have hope for living.
ReplyDeleteMy questions are:
1. What percentage of wars were faith driven from the beginning of time into the 16th century?
2. Why is religion necessary to instill values? can't science provide values in the sense that there is a natural co-existence we must uphold to maintain a healthy planet?
3. Are the secular nations in general more peaceful?
4. Is this inherent faith quality necessary for happiness?
5. How have certain religions mixed together, like christianity and judaism, or islam and the other two?
Excellent questions, Jeni. These would be great mini-research projects
DeleteRobert Royal says that people nowadays feel contempt for religion because they see it as an unreliable source of knowledge, although they still believe in spirituality as an important part of life. People are also shying away from identifying themselves with a religion, in fear that others will judge them for it. People also feel contempt for religion because it has been cited as the reason for many wars in the past.
ReplyDeleteSome questions that I have are:
1. Why do people see reason in letting religion drive war?
2. How do people justify their religion as truth over other religions?
3. How vital is spirituality?
4. How has the practice of citing religious differences for war progressed in the world's history?
5. Has the above progress occurred at an appropriate speed?
Thanks, Maria. Good questions. I'm not sure religious differences will ever NOT be the motive behind some violence in the world. But we've got billions of believers all over the planet. Now we want to talk about why that is.
DeletePeople hold contempt for religion because while practices like astrology and magic have faded away, religion has continued to stay relevant for many people even though it has been the cause of many harmful things. Questions I have are:
ReplyDelete1. What is the difference between religion and spirituality?
2. Has there ever been a war without religious influence?
3. What do people gain from being angry at religious or non religious people?
4. People today still find meaning in magic and astrology though they are not practiced anymore. How did that happen?
5. Where would we be if there had never been religion to begin with?
Thanks, Cliel. The issue of whether religion is the cause of many harmful things is subject to a lot of debate. Many anti-religious societies have waged catastrophic war. What religious elements do you see in the 20th Century wars?
ReplyDelete