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But the solution you offer in your view is that the Christian God can solve things, which is still regarded as an external thing, rather than trying to unify humans in some way that doesn't rely on obedience to a supernatural entity's commandsWe are all regarded as fallible.
We do not have to do anything.
There is no way anyone can become perfect.
The fallibility is universal to all human beings, it is not possible to fix it.
The external source we can choose to turn to on account of our fallibility does not remain only external, "it" can impact on us inside, in ways Christian people find to be positive.
All of these principles can be abused, and when they are the results are harmful.
As far as I am aware, abuse occurs in all religious belief systems, in atheist social groups, and also in mental health care. For that reason I regard the problem as a risk wherever people are, not something we can blame on theism or Christianity exclusively.
But the solution you offer
rather than trying to unify humans in some way that doesn't rely on obedience to a supernatural entity's commands
Human frailty, the question of what comes after death, any sort of philosophical questions we have (what's the meaning of life is another common one)Solution to what?
Compassion, common humanity in our experiences of suffering and happiness, there's a start that doesn't require anything supernatural to present the compelling nature of something that is universal to the human condition, practically speakingDo you have a suggestion?
Human frailty, the question of what comes after death, any sort of philosophical questions we have (what's the meaning of life is another common one)
Compassion, common humanity in our experiences of suffering and happiness, there's a start that doesn't require anything supernatural to present the compelling nature of something that is universal to the human condition, practically speaking
Of course we should explore the questions, but concluding we have even a remotely conclusive answer is dangerous territoryI am all for teaching philosophy, and encouraging people to explore these questions.
Yes, we need a universally applicable sense of compassion and humanity. Philosophical and pragmatic arguments supporting this can be very strong, independent of anything supernatural.
Of course we should explore the questions, but concluding we have even a remotely conclusive answer is dangerous territory
If the explanations don't require the supernatural, what use does it serve in any sense?
So Christian evangelism would be arguably problematic in that it's claiming one must believe as another does for their "salvation", right?So personal conclusions as to the answers cannot be imposed on others, problem solved.
If it's merely about the means and not the end, the supernatural would still seem unnecessary except to satisfy some need for "wonder", which still doesn't require thatFor the purpose of establishing a "universally applicable" sense of compassion and humanity, it does not need to serve a use, obviously.
So Christian evangelism would be arguably problematic in that it's claiming one must believe as another does for their "salvation", right?
In any "universally applicable sense of humanity and compassion" many things would be "arguably problematic". We would need to agree as to what constitutes "imposition on others" to resolve this.
If Christian evangelism was deemed a problem purely on account of the notion among Christians that their concepts are applicable to all people, we would need to forbid all beliefs that are regarded as applicable to all people. Atheism would be problematic, because non-belief in deities is deemed to apply to all people, and therefore one must be either an atheist or a deluded person. Deism would also be an issue, because they do not believe anyone at all can interact with the Supreme Being, it is not just deists who cannot in their opinion.
Obliterating freedom of world view in such a manner is not my idea of humane or compassionate. The commonality among humans of having a world view and the passion with which people often express their world view, indicates to me that any appeal to a "universally applicable sense of humanity and compassion" would require freedom of world view, not oppression of world view.
Not sure I was insinuating atheism was the source of compassion anyway, that's almost non sequitur to my point. The beliefs themselves are not the issue so much as the source of justification for them.
I'm not pretending I have a perfect standard either, the question is whether Christianity can be said to have the benefits it claims even in the present, let alone those that I would imagine a Christian doesn't claim they have substantive evidence for, more that their faith is the evidence in s sense
Conversion therapy is slowly being banned in various states, which is encouraging, not sure on the more general example you gave about "faith healing" and such, though I think there are legal areas that would address thatThere are laws in the UK which I believe do not exist in the USA, or maybe not in some States. It is illegal for any religious leader, or healthcare worker, to claim to be able to change a persons sexual orientation. It is based on evidence of risk of harm, but no evidence any such change can be achieved.
It is also illegal for anyone who offers faith or spiritual healing services to claim or suggest in publicity that they can cure any condition, unless they have support for such a claim from the medical profession.
We can believe in the flying spaghetti monster, that disabled people are tragic and a shame (I am lifelong disabled, and pitying me will not impress me, try to "cure" me and I call a lawyer to report assault), and that our own offspring's homework is the inerrant word of the Ultra-god. False advertising and religious claims for non-existent, non-necessary and potentially harmful "cures" are not met with legal tolerance.
I do not mean everything is perfect around here.
Is this the sort of issues you are disturbed about?
That's certainly one problem that can come about, but someone holding false beliefs even if they behave ethically is still concerning to me in the sense that they believe that truth is not as important as their self satisfaction and comfort about existential questions, which gets into a parallel of drug abuse (opiates in particular)
The moral paradigm would have a more foundational aspect of critical thought and reason that solves human weaknesses in that we don't seek perfection, but improvement in a general sense
I meant opiate in the metaphorical sense of addiction to something that is illusory in the solution it provides
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