Re: virus: religion and society

sodom (Sodom@ma.ultranet.com)
Mon, 19 Oct 1998 15:31:43 -0400

My humble answer is: Yes, or something like it is necessary so long as a large majority
of the population is ignorant of the sciences. People, i think, need hope. And when you
are raised that there is a loving God and a beautiful heaven awaiting you, to have all
that removed from the picture of your life, would wipe out all hope for your loved ones
that are dead, for yourself and your children to be eternally together, for divine
purpose, lonliness etc... No matter how much I enjoy my lack of divine morality, I admit
that to make the shift from religion would be very traumatic for some people.

I say: Some type of social cohesion is necessary for a large society to survive. Religion
is probably the most common and proven method (even though I think it is just delusion).
Nationalism is probably the second most important large social bond.

Bill Roh

Josh Bradley wrote:

> Is religion necessary to instill hope and morality in the "masses?" What do
> people think? I'm perfectly happy, moral, etc. without religion, but what
> about the other 90% of the population. There are so many stupid people out
> there! Is religion necessary to keep them in line?
>
> -Josh