this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2024
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Atheism

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So, recently I was talking to a friend and somehow we got to talking about religion and stuff. When I complained that religion is often put on a huge pedestal and that it's really just a glorified opinion and should be subject to the same criticism as any other opinion, they told me that that was a really hot take.

According to them, belief and religion is more than just an opinion since it's such a big part of people's lives. I countered that opinions are also big parts of people's lives and personalities. I mean, a huge chunk of your personality is based on your opinions, right?

We agreed to disagree but I kept thinking about it. I don't get why religion shouldn't just be treated like any other opinion just because people tend to cling to it. I get that ~~it~~ people are emotionally invested but that's not just the case with religion but other opinions too. I would appreciate your thoughts to help me understand better, is it really a hot take?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I read the other comments (at 2h after this post) and they go into some philosophical waters. I'll just offer the pithy response that people rarely die for opinions. I think that demonstrates the value that people place upon religious ideas, whether right or wrong. Essentially, your friend is telling you that this opinion means so much more to them to the point that it's in a different category. I can understand that.

I don't think religion serves us well, but others do and they'll fight and die for it. I wouldn't die over which form of electronic music is best, but drum and bass is certainly a contender in my mind. That's my opinion.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

First of all, D&B is awesome. I'll try to find a smooth way to drop Fox Stevenson's name here (although he kinda went a different direction a while back but it still slaps imo).

Anyways, yeah, that is a pretty good point. It's a weird thing. Another person mentioned in a comment that spirituality lights up special parts of the brain which may have to do with what you're saying. This is a real tough one to figure out

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

A charlatan misrepresented a scientific study to claim that a woman's egg lights up when the sperm fertilizes it as an argument that conception is divine (hence, anti-abortion). That's the first thing I thought of in relation to spirituality lighting the brain.