Lanky_Pomegranate530You google it if you like. You won't find it.
A sense of meaning. Not replaced but science hasn’t found it yet.
Many people find meaning in understanding how the world works.
Didn’t say it was the only thing that provided meaning but you’ll find in a church depression is less prevalent likely due to the sense of meaning and purpose attendees have.
That sense of meaning is something all attendees can achieve because they are taught to. Science doesn’t teach a person how to be okay with their purpose in life, in fact some of the answers science finds may push people further from purpose.
You’ll find very low rates of depression in amusement park jobs. Yet, they dont teach them about purpose of life there, are they?
Your logic is awful. You’re making the most ridiculous conclusions.
There’s actual scientific evidence of it helping with depression and lower rates of mental health problems. If you google it you will find not one but many dozen articles discussing links between religion and improved mental health.
Not everyone who needs can work at an amusement park but anyone can find a religion to suit them even in the US.
We have lots of religions, some that we’re expected to abandon as adults, some we’re expected to carry forward as adults.
Why? Because they make things easier for you (other) people.
Santa Claus: Won’t give you presents if you don’t go to bed X-mas eve!
(Now get outa my hair kid so I can do a bunch of work to make you happy tomorrow morning.)
The Easter Bunny: This bunny poops colorful, cooked, eggs all over the yard and it’s ok for you to eat them in sandwiches for the next week. Ok so he doesn’t poop them, he only hides them after you cook them. Somehow…
Everyone gets a valentine: There’s someone who loves you everywhere, and we should share our love with everyone.
Life is Fair: Things should be fair, and when you get something you should share it with your sister, or your classmates. Not enough for everyone? None for you!
Fighting is bad: Anyone who gets in a fight gets in trouble, whether you started it or not!
As we get older, we’re only supposed to keep the more “adult” religions, like being subservient to our betters, elders, priests, lawmakers etc. They tell you to “be honest (in business.)”. “Don’t murder others (unless I tell you to)”. “Follow the laws of the place you’re in.” and “Don’t cheat on your wife (and get caught).”
We’ve got a few others in there, but those are pretty much the ones you’re “expected” to follow.
Your reward? You get to think about the ending of a fictional book you haven’t actually read a whole lot as though it were real, and you’re one of the characters. It’s amazingly pacifying if you’re trying to keep millions of people from stealing, killing each other, and sleeping around.
I won’t argue that religion hasn’t been usurped throughout history in the name of control. I can mostly only speak with any confidence on Christianity. The Bible regardless how holy and true we are told it is has no doubt been tainted by men throughout history.
There’s still plenty of good in religion despite that. And I don’t think it’s wrong to believe there’s more than what we see. What life looks like after death is a mystery. Science points to your body shuts down. Fact. But we can’t say with any certainty that’s it.
From my experience a healthy church encourages my skepticism. It’ll encourage asking tough questions. It helps me to explore what I believe. The reward when doing that exploration seems to vary from one to another. Myself I became more resilient to the day to day troubles around me that were too big. Me yelling in the void of social media doesn’t change much about issues like global warming or people in need. I can reduce my consumption I can repair instead of replace. I can volunteer my time to help kids who’s parents can’t take care of them. The universe as a whole will be a little better for it
Not all need religion, I accept that, some people have all they need to get by and will cruise from now to the grave. But to some of us it is a major force for happiness and healthiness.
There are many things that provide comfort for people. Drug/Alcohol use, literature etc. Fandoms are just… weird, and religion is the oldest and most mature category of fandoms.
The Bible “has been tainted by men” because it’s a construct and story written by men, it’s always been that.
We don’t worship George Lucas today, but maybe in a thousand years we’ll worship Geo Luca and the virgin birth of Anak SkyBoots.
If you think I’m being reductive or insulting, it’s not meant to be. I grew up taking communion, and agonizing over every masturbation. The story isn’t the problem, it’s the rules to be part of the Fandom.
Not insulted at all. Grew up in Church of Christ and I can tell you that church did not match me. There’s a lot to what didn’t match me but let’s go with the overall close mindedness of it was a problem for a curious mind.
As soon as I was old enough not to go, I didn’t. Atheism for the next two decades until I found something was missing. Explored other churches and found a non-denominational that matches my views as well as doesn’t judge me as a heretic for questioning.
I think it’s unfortunate many of us grow up going to a specific brand of church. What worked for our parents in their situation may not line up either with our personality or the world we live in today.