DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post

**borasolit** · 08-15-2007, 11:08 PM

If you think about the social and psychological benefits, there are a wide variety of options.

Civic and social organizations of many types can serve the social needs, although there is generally less of a mutual aid committment in those organizations. There's generally less expectation to help a friend in need than there is to help a member of a religious community. Government programs can provide many social programsl to help those in need, and can serve a large and diverse population. There are some who would like to see those government programs replaced by "faith-based organizations."

Social order can be established by rule of law as an alternative to religious law. Although fear of God can be a powerful incentive, and an omniscient God could be more effective at detecting wrong-doing than a thousand video cameras, punishment by physical means seems to be more effective than the promise that, "God is going to get you."

The psychological benefits of believing that divine intervention is available and working on your behalf can be a great confidence booster and provide hope and a sense of optimism that might otherwise be difficult to achieve. An alternative is to use affirmations to reinforce positive thoughts. The absence of religious belief might encourage people to take more responsibility for their own well-being. There are those who would rather sit and pray, than work hard to better their situation.

In times of relative prosperity and security, people feel less need for religion. Wealth is an excellent substitute for religion because it can solve so many problems.

Absolution of guilt can be remedied by religious confession and penance. Alternatively, you can make reparations to the injured party, which is generally the solution prefered by the injured party.

Fear of death is something religion can help with. Both for the person dying, and perhaps more importantly, for the grieving survivors. It's a matter of having helpful thoughts. Non-religious helpful thoughts would include, "They had a good life," "I'm grateful for the time we had," and "It's better they are no longer in pain."

08-15-2007, 11:08 PM	#7
borasolit Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 412 Senior Member	If you think about the social and psychological benefits, there are a wide variety of options. Civic and social organizations of many types can serve the social needs, although there is generally less of a mutual aid committment in those organizations. There's generally less expectation to help a friend in need than there is to help a member of a religious community. Government programs can provide many social programsl to help those in need, and can serve a large and diverse population. There are some who would like to see those government programs replaced by "faith-based organizations." Social order can be established by rule of law as an alternative to religious law. Although fear of God can be a powerful incentive, and an omniscient God could be more effective at detecting wrong-doing than a thousand video cameras, punishment by physical means seems to be more effective than the promise that, "God is going to get you." The psychological benefits of believing that divine intervention is available and working on your behalf can be a great confidence booster and provide hope and a sense of optimism that might otherwise be difficult to achieve. An alternative is to use affirmations to reinforce positive thoughts. The absence of religious belief might encourage people to take more responsibility for their own well-being. There are those who would rather sit and pray, than work hard to better their situation. In times of relative prosperity and security, people feel less need for religion. Wealth is an excellent substitute for religion because it can solve so many problems. Absolution of guilt can be remedied by religious confession and penance. Alternatively, you can make reparations to the injured party, which is generally the solution prefered by the injured party. Fear of death is something religion can help with. Both for the person dying, and perhaps more importantly, for the grieving survivors. It's a matter of having helpful thoughts. Non-religious helpful thoughts would include, "They had a good life," "I'm grateful for the time we had," and "It's better they are no longer in pain."
	Quote