What would happen if we chose our religious views based on an economic-like view of the options? What if we chose based on what each had the most to offer? This is something that's been on my mind lately. Let's try this out.
What advantage does atheism or agnosticism have over other religions? I've heard some claim vague things like "integrity" to be theirs, but this means nothing. Integrity exists with members of religion and the atheism alike.
You don't have to come to church, but then again, neither do Christians. Christians can really only be counted on to attend church two times a year: Easter and Christmas. Not only that, but many, such as myself, don't consider going to church something we have to do, rather it is something we are delighted to do. For me, personally, there are few times when when I am happier than when I am gathered with other believers.
As for non-Christian religions, I can't speak for them. I don't think Jews have holy places (in local areas), and I don't know much about what Muslims do in their buildings or how often they meet.
What most religions have to offer is the promise of an afterlife. This offers comfort for the dying as well as those who mourn the deaths of others. But an atheist doesn't believe in the afterlife, so death is final. The loss of a loved one is a permanent loss.
An atheist doesn't even get the pleasure of saying, "I told you so." If they're right, they will cease to exist, just like everyone else. But if they're wrong, they run the risk of having an unpleasant afterlife because of their disbelief. Some will say that this is a bad reason to convert, but I don't see why. This looks to be a lose-lose situation no matter how you spin it.
Some also claim that life is more precious if it is finite. This, again, doesn't make any sense to me. If life is good, why would you want it to end? If finite is better than infinite, than shouldn't a shorter life be even better than a longer life? Is it better to die after one million years or one hundred years? How about one seventy years versus seven days?
Religion usually offers community for those who are of like mind, but I've never heard of an atheist church/temple/gathering place. Granted, most people tend to side on atheists on political and moral issues, so they might not need it.
Atheism has science on its side, since science is forced to operate on the assumption that there is no such thing as gods, angels, demons, spirits, or any kind of supernatural phenomenon. But religion is not always opposed to science. The two are distinctly different things. One is concerned with the physical world, the other with the supernatural (i.e. the things science can't touch).
I wrote this up mostly in the order that it came to mind. If you think I've missed something, feel free to add to it.
What advantage does atheism or agnosticism have over other religions? I've heard some claim vague things like "integrity" to be theirs, but this means nothing. Integrity exists with members of religion and the atheism alike.
You don't have to come to church, but then again, neither do Christians. Christians can really only be counted on to attend church two times a year: Easter and Christmas. Not only that, but many, such as myself, don't consider going to church something we have to do, rather it is something we are delighted to do. For me, personally, there are few times when when I am happier than when I am gathered with other believers.
As for non-Christian religions, I can't speak for them. I don't think Jews have holy places (in local areas), and I don't know much about what Muslims do in their buildings or how often they meet.
What most religions have to offer is the promise of an afterlife. This offers comfort for the dying as well as those who mourn the deaths of others. But an atheist doesn't believe in the afterlife, so death is final. The loss of a loved one is a permanent loss.
An atheist doesn't even get the pleasure of saying, "I told you so." If they're right, they will cease to exist, just like everyone else. But if they're wrong, they run the risk of having an unpleasant afterlife because of their disbelief. Some will say that this is a bad reason to convert, but I don't see why. This looks to be a lose-lose situation no matter how you spin it.
Some also claim that life is more precious if it is finite. This, again, doesn't make any sense to me. If life is good, why would you want it to end? If finite is better than infinite, than shouldn't a shorter life be even better than a longer life? Is it better to die after one million years or one hundred years? How about one seventy years versus seven days?
Religion usually offers community for those who are of like mind, but I've never heard of an atheist church/temple/gathering place. Granted, most people tend to side on atheists on political and moral issues, so they might not need it.
Atheism has science on its side, since science is forced to operate on the assumption that there is no such thing as gods, angels, demons, spirits, or any kind of supernatural phenomenon. But religion is not always opposed to science. The two are distinctly different things. One is concerned with the physical world, the other with the supernatural (i.e. the things science can't touch).
I wrote this up mostly in the order that it came to mind. If you think I've missed something, feel free to add to it.