Opinion Poll

POSTED BY: misbehaven
UPDATED: Friday, August 25, 2006 11:06
VIEWED: 1705
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MISBEHAVEN

Friday, August 25, 2006 2:35 AM

Let me start by saying, that I sincerely hope this thread doesn't turn into a flame war. I simply want to put forth three questions, and I woud like to hear everyone's thoughts. There are no right or wrong answers here, just your opinions. Also, this isn't necessarily a yes or no poll, so take all the space you need.

Does Prayer Work?

Are Religious People Happier & More Moral?

Are Religious Societies Healthier?

RUE

Friday, August 25, 2006 2:42 AM

double your pleasure, double your fun ...

RUE

Friday, August 25, 2006 2:42 AM

no

no

no

IMHO

LIKES to touch the third rail

YINYANG

Friday, August 25, 2006 2:48 AM

No. Anytime when people think it does is a coincidence, nothing more.

And, here's a video! I haven't watched it, and I apologize for the droning voice, but... it's moving!

http://godisimaginary.com/video.htm

No!

No. Example - Puritans. Another example - England after Henry VIII. Another example - the Middle East. Another example - those people who want to burn Harry Potter books.

---

I'm a trouble-maker; Kaneman said so!

::points to 'I'm a trouble-maker' sticker on shirt and makes a platypus noise::

SERGEANTX

Friday, August 25, 2006 2:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by misbehaven:
Does Prayer Work?

Are Religious People Happier & More Moral?

Are Religious Societies Healthier?

These questions all dance around a topic I've been interested in for some time. I'm a materialist and have never found cause for believing in the supernatural. But religious practices are obviously very useful for a great many people.

I think it's pretty clear that prayer, and faith in general, can have profound therapeutic value and can provide people with an equanimity that will make things go better for them in general. Does that count as prayer 'working'? I think it does, but I'm also aware that that's not how most people of faith see prayer working.

This brings us to the question I've been so interested in. Must one believe in prayer, religion, etc, as a kind of actual supernatural power that defies physical reality? Or is it enough to recognize and pursue the mindstates and attitudes that religion can foster? In other words can there be a kind of 'materialist religion' that captures the benefits of religious faith without the delusion?

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

CAROLJUDE

Friday, August 25, 2006 2:59 AM

Does Prayer Work?

Depends what is meant by 'work.' People who believe in prayer are no doubt conforted by their faith. So that's kind of a 'yes.' Does it bring bicycles and keep loved ones from falling ill or dying? Heck no.

Are Religious People Happier & More Moral?

Not from what I've experienced.

Are Religious Societies Healthier?

Anyone keeping up at all with the news of the day for the last 2000 or so years can answer that one easily.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Walk tall, or don't walk at all...

DREAMTROVE

Friday, August 25, 2006 3:25 AM

no
no/yes
yes

WHIMSICALNBRAINPAN

Friday, August 25, 2006 3:57 AM

Does prayer work? Yes, but not always the way you want.

Are Religious People Happier & More Moral?

Unfortunately not always the case. I've seen a lot of immoral acts done in the name of god or done because the "religious" person thinks they are in the right. There are a lot of very miserable religious people.

However, a lot of people claim to be religious in this day and age and are really just going through the motions or have completely forgotten the true teachings of their religion.

Having said that I do know some happy and very moral religious people.

Are Religious Societies Healthier? Depends on the society.

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." http://whimsicalnbrainpan.blogspot.com/

CANTTAKESKY

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:00 AM

Does Prayer Work?
Depends on the prayer. Santa Clause prayers--"Please God, this is what I want for Christmas"--don't work, at least not any more than chance.

In my view, the distinction between the spiritual and the psychological(mental, emotional) is important. I am of the opinion that people have 3 dimensions: physical, psychological, and spiritual. Physical refers to the body, psychological refers to the mind and emotions, and spiritual refers to the "soul." For optimum health, we need to nourish all three: food and exercise for the body, education and relationships for the mind/emotions, and prayer for the soul. The soul is probably the most neglected of the three, even amongst religious folk.

My idea of prayer is any type of "reaching out" to something grander than ourselves that helps us find meaning and inspiration in this brutal world. So, in my view, it is entirely possible for atheists to pray and be spiritual, even if they don't call it that. A volunteer who stands in awe of a mass of people at a refugee camp and finds some source of overwhelming compassion--to me--is praying and feeding his soul. A preacher who is talking to someone called "God" but who isn't inspired is just babbling.

Are Religious People Happier & More Moral? Pardon me while I laugh.

Are Religious Societies Healthier?
Isn't this the same question as the earlier one? Still laughing.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

CANTTAKESKY

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SergeantX:
In other words can there be a kind of 'materialist religion' that captures the benefits of religious faith without the delusion?

I think so. See my comments above on prayer. I think there are a great number of very spiritual atheists/humanists who have found that equanimity in philosophy, ethics, art, music, compassion, etc.

For me, spirituality is key. Ideology is neither here nor there. Words are meaningless. It is the truth we know without words that matter.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

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