i don’t know if religion is bad so much as zealotry (aware of the irony of my name; but that’s a play on critical role and jester) the place i felt most accepted growing up queer was my family church an summer camp. my childhood pastor was one of the first people to write me and both congratulate and comfort me while also apologising for the national church’s recent stances (a few years ago). granted it was a new england methodist church so i realize my privilge but still
My response, with respect, is that religion is always ever just a small walk away from fundamentalism and zelotry.
I’m sure you and countless billions have had wonderful experiences within an environment that happened to be religious. However, I would strongly disagree that the presence of religion in that environment was a fundamental requirement for the positive sides of those events to happen.
All benefits one can point to of religion can just as easily be present in secular settings as well.
My response, with respect, is that religion is always ever just a small walk away from fundamentalism and zealotry.
Billions currently live and have lived their religious lives without falling down this purported slippery slope which takes away from this point.
I would strongly disagree that the presence of religion in that environment was a fundamental requirement for the positive sides of those events to happen.
What secular equivalent is there to Christmas, Easter, Eid, Ramadan, Holi, Diwali etc? Why has no secular tradition been able to produce days of collective joy or reflection in a similar vein?
All benefits one can point to of religion can just as easily be present in secular settings as well.
Except happiness. Which according to the Pew Research Center is more common among the religious, for whatever reason.
Billions currently live and have lived their religious lives without falling down this purported slippery slope which takes away from this point.
This does nothing to take away from my point. If you’d want to argue against my point, you’d need to show a solid barrier between typical moderate religious beliefs and fundamentalism/zealotry.
I attest no such barrier exists outside of simple circumstances in which one hasn’t lead the believer to the other… yet.
What secular equivalent is there to Christmas, Easter, Eid, Ramadan, Holi, Diwali etc? Why has no secular tradition been able to produce days of collective joy or reflection in a similar vein?
There are countless holidays and special events that aren’t religious and see families and communities coming together.
Some examples in the US because that’s where I have best context: 4th of July, The Superbowl, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, literally any other sporting event, New Years, etc.
Not to mention you also don’t need a religious context to celebrate holidays that originate from religions such as Christmas, St. Valentine’s day, Easter, etc.
Except happiness. Which according to the Pew Research Center is more common among the religious, for whatever reason.
This makes sense when you see it in the context in which Pew gathered that data, being in a country (the USA) that prioritizes special treatment towards the religious, most especially Christians.
There’s also aspects such as false hope given to the religious, the gaslighting in religion to accept one’s shitty circumstances, etc.
i don’t know if religion is bad so much as zealotry (aware of the irony of my name; but that’s a play on critical role and jester) the place i felt most accepted growing up queer was my family church an summer camp. my childhood pastor was one of the first people to write me and both congratulate and comfort me while also apologising for the national church’s recent stances (a few years ago). granted it was a new england methodist church so i realize my privilge but still
My response, with respect, is that religion is always ever just a small walk away from fundamentalism and zelotry.
I’m sure you and countless billions have had wonderful experiences within an environment that happened to be religious. However, I would strongly disagree that the presence of religion in that environment was a fundamental requirement for the positive sides of those events to happen.
All benefits one can point to of religion can just as easily be present in secular settings as well.
Billions currently live and have lived their religious lives without falling down this purported slippery slope which takes away from this point.
What secular equivalent is there to Christmas, Easter, Eid, Ramadan, Holi, Diwali etc? Why has no secular tradition been able to produce days of collective joy or reflection in a similar vein?
Except happiness. Which according to the Pew Research Center is more common among the religious, for whatever reason.
This does nothing to take away from my point. If you’d want to argue against my point, you’d need to show a solid barrier between typical moderate religious beliefs and fundamentalism/zealotry.
I attest no such barrier exists outside of simple circumstances in which one hasn’t lead the believer to the other… yet.
There are countless holidays and special events that aren’t religious and see families and communities coming together.
Some examples in the US because that’s where I have best context: 4th of July, The Superbowl, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, literally any other sporting event, New Years, etc.
Not to mention you also don’t need a religious context to celebrate holidays that originate from religions such as Christmas, St. Valentine’s day, Easter, etc.
This makes sense when you see it in the context in which Pew gathered that data, being in a country (the USA) that prioritizes special treatment towards the religious, most especially Christians.
There’s also aspects such as false hope given to the religious, the gaslighting in religion to accept one’s shitty circumstances, etc.