Religion-Psychology?

[NotReady]

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This comic book, Sunday school version of religion (Christianity, in this case) drives me to distraction…


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You've just reduced one of the great minds of the 20th century to comic book level. This was C.S. Lewis' argument. I've never heard it answered. Maybe you can.

The correct formulation is, assuming that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, the following 3 choices -
1. Jesus was as crazy as someone who thinks he's a fried egg.
2. He was evil.
3. He was the Son of God.

Your move.

[Doctaprofit]

There is a body of research that shows that the ability to experience mystical like experience is inherited. We all have unique brain chemistry which affects our perception. Certain peoples having DNA which makes them feel psychologicaly connected ( compelled, mistified, part of a bigger picture.. ect) way can account for the widespread religious devotion. In evolutionary terms this must of been extremely adaptive early on. Picture a tribe in which all members are highly individualized and subsist in a manner that is simply as mutually beneficial as possible. Now picture a tribe in which everyone is part of an extended family, sons of god, with a mission in life... Evolutionarly speaking, who is more likely to procreate and spread their mimes infecting untold millions for untold generations? Religion is nothing more than an infection of the brain. It is a virus that spreads from host to host. I would say at least 90% of devoutly religious people had devoutly religious parents who had devoutly religious parents who had devoutly religious parents.. hmmm

[Doctaprofit]

nt

[BeerGolfPoker]

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[ QUOTE ]

This comic book, Sunday school version of religion (Christianity, in this case) drives me to distraction…


[/ QUOTE ]

You've just reduced one of the great minds of the 20th century to comic book level. This was C.S. Lewis' argument. I've never heard it answered. Maybe you can.

The correct formulation is, assuming that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, the following 3 choices -
1. Jesus was as crazy as someone who thinks he's a fried egg.
2. He was evil.
3. He was the Son of God.

Your move.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hello NotReady,

I don't want to hijack David's thread, but here is a link to a response I posted a couple weeks ago regarding this specific argument:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...mp;o=&vc=1

[NotReady]

In that post you said:

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It leaves out the possibility that Jesus did not exist.


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This is irrelevant because the assumption is that He existed and claimed to be God. Non-existence doesn't speak to the logic of the argument, it simply denies the premise.

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While this could properly be labeled "terribly irrational", it does not necessarily mean that Jesus was a crazy person or that he was severely mentally ill.


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This is hair splitting. Substitute terribly irrational for insane in the 3 options, no real difference.

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Jesus was a persuasive ethical teacher with great influence and polarizing or even rebellious views.


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That's the point. How could He be an ethical teacher and claim to be the Son of God at the same time, unless He was the Son of God? He couldn't be ethical unless He was telling the truth. How ethical is it to say "Your sins are forgiven", unless it's true?


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His teachings and sayings were then simply greatly exaggerated by the writers of the Gospels.


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Again, this simply denies the premise and doesn't speak to the logic of the argument.

[Wozza]

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1. Jesus was as crazy as someone who thinks he's a fried egg.
2. He was evil.
3. He was the Son of God.


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Well, I did Religious Education at school, but I must have thrown a sickie on the day that they did the 'Jesus Wasn't A Fried Egg' theory. It must go something like:
- Was Jesus evil?
- Well, umm. No, I guess he wasn't.
- Ok, he obviously didn't think he was a fried egg, therefore he was the Son of God!

Is this a reasoned argument or are you channeling Michael Palin, 'cos it has all the attributes of a Monty Python sketch. Maybe you're confusing it with the one where he's standing outside the cave at Easter saying 'Nah, he's not dead - he's just resting...'.

Anyway, I think the connection with eggs is way too close for comfort. Just think Easter. And what about The Last Supper, eh? Some people say they can make out an arm with a dagger between a couple of the disciples. Rubbish. It's a frying pan. And that chalice front and centre is nothing more than a giant eggcup. Da Vinci knew what he was doing

It all makes sense when you know where to look.

[NotReady]

Your logic is so incisive, so lucid, so penetrating I'm reduced to awestruck silence. Philosophy is at an end, theology is rendered useless. All questions concerning good and evil, right and wrong, life and death have now received their final, authoritative answer. The world may now cease to exist, its purpose at long last fulfilled.

[JoshuaD]

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DNA explains some things about the variety of biological life. It explains nothing about the existence of the universe or the origin of life. What explains DNA?

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There will always be unknowns in science, there will always be the next question. God has "existed" on the fringes of science for so long, and as science expanded, God's place receeded.

Just because science can't yet explain why/how DNA exists doesn't mean that it won't one day will, nor does it suggest God exists.

Someone asked your exact same question 2,000 years ago. But instead of asking "What explains DNA?" they asked "What explains the sky?".

[tek]

What do religious ponderings accomplish?

Does it really matter what/whom created the world? Does it really matter what the purpose was (if any). Does it really matter what happens after death?

Consider if you will a casino or card club. Does it matter who the ceo is or the marketing campaign they have going for the slot club or the history of the casino?

Not to me. I sit at my poker table and play the best I am able. While playing I don't ponder irrelevant questions. I just play and eventually leave.

Same thing in everyday life. Just do your thing and quit worrying about things you have no answers to or control over.

I know SOMETHING created the world. I just don't care whom, why or what happens after death. Sure, various religions have a few kernels of neta stuff to consider. But when you go full tilt into any particular religion, you might as well "drink the kool-aid".

[JoshuaD]

[ QUOTE ]
What do religious ponderings accomplish?

Does it really matter what/whom created the world? Does it really matter what the purpose was (if any). Does it really matter what happens after death?

Consider if you will a casino or card club. Does it matter who the ceo is or the marketing campaign they have going for the slot club or the history of the casino?

Not to me. I sit at my poker table and play the best I am able. While playing I don't ponder irrelevant questions. I just play and eventually leave.

Same thing in everyday life. Just do your thing and quit worrying about things you have no answers to or control over.

I know SOMETHING created the world. I just don't care whom, why or what happens after death. Sure, various religions have a few kernels of neta stuff to consider. But when you go full tilt into any particular religion, you might as well "drink the kool-aid".

[/ QUOTE ]

Why play poker? There are a number of other ways for you to make the money you do playing poker. Why do this?