Looking at world and human societies not as some sort of highly complex, incomprehensible, enigma but as something that can be broken down and understood through a series of numerous basic social mechanisms, presents the world we inhabit as something that sparks our human creativity and intrigue. Furthermore and most importantly its mere study can be edifying, for in doing so we unlock practical knowledge about our own beliefs and values; And how these have impacted the lives and societies of past humans and how these same values will affect our future.
Belief systems exist for a number of purposes. They try to make sense of the human condition (I exist, what does that mean? Soon I won't, what does that mean? The universe is awe inspiring, etc.) They provide a road map for navigating life's major events (growth, maturity, relationships, etc.). They are often hijacked by societies to help maintain conformity with norms and sanctify the agendas of the powerful. That applies whether they are formally religious, informally spiritual, materialistic, nihilistic, etc. The specifics of belief are determined by the environment (geography and history) in which they arise and spread. Jungles generate jungles of deities. Stark deserts generate stark theisms. Technological societies generate rationalist systems. Societies in tumult attract apocalyptic models. Societies with severe class conflict gravitate to revolutionary belief systems (like Marxism), and so on. All belief systems provide models for action in a universe that is necessarily uncertain; that's their attraction. All belief systems (including those vehemently opposed to traditional religion) constrain us with necessarily inadequate models that can never provide universal answers. Whether you are 'religious' or not, you are still stuck with the same problem. The only advantage of genuine science is that it is always open to change and improvement. Religions are often not (though some are), but equally pseudo-science (i.e. one that unwaveringly believes that it has the correct and final answers to issues) is not either.
I used to think a religion this, a religion that... Now, I use the term "indoctrination" because when you try to analyze a religion communism is used as counter-argument very often. They are right. Communism indoctrination method is extremely similar to religious one. With that out of the way, my favorite theory is that indoctrinations have started in an early human societies as a mean of trying to understand the world around us. Very soon, persons in power with high sociopathy streak concluded that indoctrination is a great tool for controlling the fellow humans for their own purpose and gain. Time passed by and collective knowledge has accumulated. Slowly but surely, indoctrination has been losing its value as the tool for understanding. On the other side, methods for using indoctrination as the tool for mass control have perfected. Why does indoctrination is having the renaissance, both in casual and fundamentalist circles? Those in power have tried secularism but they figured out that it is much easier to control subjects when they are indoctrinated.
I think you are wrong, sad and conspiracy believer more than a regular religious people are. So so sad. Who gives a shit about money and control and power. People don't go to church for this, don't even care about this. Just read durkheim
The reasons I feel that religion has continued to keep such a foothold in modern society is because of suffering, indoctrination, tradition, because it is intellectually lazy (not that anyone person believing is lazy but it takes a great leap to be able to free yourself especially if you have a strong family or cultural tradition), also that people seem to be naturally inclined (not that being atheist is unnatural, it is more that we desire explanation with consistency or at least relative consistency, and religion fills that desire, where leaving scientific study to explain the world, etc. changes often and always winds up with more questions when one is answered). When faced with uncertainty as shown in the only other comment here, religion proclaims itself to be the only answer you need and everything will be alright. That is appealing to a lot of people. However, we are all faced with uncertainty and there is something to be said for our ability to adapt to uncertainty by creating religion, but we should not let our previous and purely speculative solutions impede our progress into the future.
Just wanted to say finding blanaced and well articulated comments on contentious issues like this really does give a little ray of hope. I wholeheartedly agree with you. All too often the "new atheists" are quick to ridicule and belittle the religious without really looking at why people persist with religious. I think you've captured all the reasons here.
belief in postmodernism can only take reason so far. There are situations that secularity and language cant rationalize. the fact of the matter is people and the future shift from reality to reality. we live in a nodal world that can be fully understood in terms of vancular and explaination. freedom that people find in expressing there culture is an every mutuating rhizomatic disenfranshisement science by means of culture not religion. the future only can manifest as religiously free in terms of new found spirituality which artistic expression and responsive action cant really liberate. the fact that humanhood is both neopolitical and neocorporate and also neophilosophical do also hold as the main problem in a given scientific postmodern neoreligious reality and developed civilization.
Chip Staggs. if your idiology is wrong your theology willbe wrong. For all humans There is only two ways to predict the truth about the future ither you do it your way or God' way
All I know is that our current administration scares me with its catering to the religious far-right. I see no difference between the extreme muslims or the extreme christians. As we live in a learned society I do not see a place for religion.
my only issue with this video is the length of it! Peter Kivisto thank you for your insight! this has helped me so deeply!
Looking at world and human societies not as some sort of highly complex, incomprehensible, enigma but as something that can be broken down and understood through a series of numerous basic social mechanisms, presents the world we inhabit as something that sparks our human creativity and intrigue. Furthermore and most importantly its mere study can be edifying, for in doing so we unlock practical knowledge about our own beliefs and values; And how these have impacted the lives and societies of past humans and how these same values will affect our future.
Incredibly interesting, please continue posting such videos
Belief systems exist for a number of purposes. They try to make sense of the human condition (I exist, what does that mean? Soon I won't, what does that mean? The universe is awe inspiring, etc.) They provide a road map for navigating life's major events (growth, maturity, relationships, etc.). They are often hijacked by societies to help maintain conformity with norms and sanctify the agendas of the powerful. That applies whether they are formally religious, informally spiritual, materialistic, nihilistic, etc. The specifics of belief are determined by the environment (geography and history) in which they arise and spread. Jungles generate jungles of deities. Stark deserts generate stark theisms. Technological societies generate rationalist systems. Societies in tumult attract apocalyptic models. Societies with severe class conflict gravitate to revolutionary belief systems (like Marxism), and so on. All belief systems provide models for action in a universe that is necessarily uncertain; that's their attraction. All belief systems (including those vehemently opposed to traditional religion) constrain us with necessarily inadequate models that can never provide universal answers. Whether you are 'religious' or not, you are still stuck with the same problem. The only advantage of genuine science is that it is always open to change and improvement. Religions are often not (though some are), but equally pseudo-science (i.e. one that unwaveringly believes that it has the correct and final answers to issues) is not either.
I used to think a religion this, a religion that... Now, I use the term "indoctrination" because when you try to analyze a religion communism is used as counter-argument very often. They are right. Communism indoctrination method is extremely similar to religious one.
With that out of the way, my favorite theory is that indoctrinations have started in an early human societies as a mean of trying to understand the world around us. Very soon, persons in power with high sociopathy streak concluded that indoctrination is a great tool for controlling the fellow humans for their own purpose and gain.
Time passed by and collective knowledge has accumulated. Slowly but surely, indoctrination has been losing its value as the tool for understanding. On the other side, methods for using indoctrination as the tool for mass control have perfected. Why does indoctrination is having the renaissance, both in casual and fundamentalist circles? Those in power have tried secularism but they figured out that it is much easier to control subjects when they are indoctrinated.
I concur that sociopathic leadership would see utility in the use of religion for social control and exploitation. I think Marx saw that as well.
I think you are wrong, sad and conspiracy believer more than a regular religious people are.
So so sad. Who gives a shit about money and control and power. People don't go to church for this, don't even care about this. Just read durkheim
The reasons I feel that religion has continued to keep such a foothold in modern society is because of suffering, indoctrination, tradition, because it is intellectually lazy (not that anyone person believing is lazy but it takes a great leap to be able to free yourself especially if you have a strong family or cultural tradition), also that people seem to be naturally inclined (not that being atheist is unnatural, it is more that we desire explanation with consistency or at least relative consistency, and religion fills that desire, where leaving scientific study to explain the world, etc. changes often and always winds up with more questions when one is answered).
When faced with uncertainty as shown in the only other comment here, religion proclaims itself to be the only answer you need and everything will be alright. That is appealing to a lot of people. However, we are all faced with uncertainty and there is something to be said for our ability to adapt to uncertainty by creating religion, but we should not let our previous and purely speculative solutions impede our progress into the future.
Just wanted to say finding blanaced and well articulated comments on contentious issues like this really does give a little ray of hope. I wholeheartedly agree with you. All too often the "new atheists" are quick to ridicule and belittle the religious without really looking at why people persist with religious. I think you've captured all the reasons here.
Thank you kivisto, very cool
Jesus is the way to truth and life! Praise Him Praise Him!
jesus makes me horny
Religious skepticism lecture.
belief in postmodernism can only take reason so far. There are situations that secularity and language cant rationalize. the fact of the matter is people and the future shift from reality to reality. we live in a nodal world that can be fully understood in terms of vancular and explaination. freedom that people find in expressing there culture is an every mutuating rhizomatic disenfranshisement science by means of culture not religion. the future only can manifest as religiously free in terms of new found spirituality which artistic expression and responsive action cant really liberate. the fact that humanhood is both neopolitical and neocorporate and also neophilosophical do also hold as the main problem in a given scientific postmodern neoreligious reality and developed civilization.
anyone in the chat thriven by catholic values and satanic acceptance?
And Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
Lol
Do you believe this to be true?
If you do believe it to be true, i ask:
Why do you believe it to be true?
Much love and respect!
Chip Staggs. if your idiology is wrong your theology willbe wrong. For all humans There is only two ways to predict the truth about the future ither you do it your way or God' way
Jesus also said that all that his father said was true. His father was a bigoted mass murderer. ‘NUFF SAID.
@@ivanruiz4948 dude, how would jesus let his girlfriend talk to his dad without him introducing her? that's how I believe it as lol
All I know is that our current administration scares me with its catering to the religious far-right. I see no difference between the extreme muslims or the extreme christians. As we live in a learned society I do not see a place for religion.
sociology is the study of scientists. its scientists studying statistics about scientists.
No, it is not.