Dark Matter wrote:Religion is primarily a pursuit of values from which a system of interpretative beliefs are formulated. That is why it is much easier for men to agree on religious values — goals — than on beliefs — interpretations. In other words, while core moral instincts do appear to emerge largely independent of religion, religion refines them answers the 'why.'
As I had stated, in terms of morality there are pros and cons of religions.
Religions [Abrahamic] do not refine and answer the "why". Believers are at the mercy of an all powerful God to grant them eternal life to avoid the threat of going to hell. Religions [Abrahamic] exploited this and merely rely on very barbaric and crude methods, i.e. based on very primal fears and threats, in this case threat of going to burning Hell and eternal death if believers do not obey.
This is what is going on the primitive world where people only respect power [all powerful God], avoid fears and threats. The Abrahamic theistic religions [in part] are inherently very malignantly evil.
It is actually false to say the Religions [Abrahamic] promote 'morality.' Morality is something that is a spontaneous competence from the individual and not something that is imposed upon any one.
Note for example the morality of slavery. The Abrahamic religions did not control slavery, rather such religions condone slavery. Slavery is now banned in all recognized countries based on consensus [secular] via reason and wisdom. The promotion of basic human dignity/rights is based on the evolving increase of human empathy and compassion and not because of religions [Abrahamic].
There are pros from the morality of religions [Abrahamic] but its cons are based on immutable barbaric doctrines of invoking primal fears and threats.
But saying "highly secular societies are among the most stable and cooperative on Earth" and leaving it at that is absolutely inane. It ignores the fact that the stability of all secular societies have religious roots and that by discarding those roots, all that's left is politics and power. The stability is therefore an illusion. Moreover, complacency leaves modern and "stable" secular societies vulnerable to more primitive and vibrant cultures -- exactly like what we see what's happening in Europe today.
There are core moral instincts and religions [Abrahamic] has corrupted it with barbaric, primitive and crude elements based on fears and threats.
The moral impulses and values of those in Europe has been improving after their distancing from religions [Christianity].
Why Europe is getting worse is because at present they are pandering to another Abrahamic religion, i.e. Islam.
The Abrahamic religions [in part] are inherently very malignantly evil.
Another the the study fails to take into account is that other studies, studies in "neurotheology" using FMRI, suggests that there is a neurological and evolutionary basis for subjective experiences traditionally categorized as spiritual or religious.
There is an proximate psychological cause to such subjective experiences that drive the majority to be religious.
One can be religiously net-good [Buddhism, Jainism] or religiously net-evil [Abrahamic religions]. At present whatever pros from the Abrahamic religions are being outweighed by their cons in terms of morality and other qualities.
Not-a-theist. Religion is a critical necessity for humanity now, but not the FUTURE.