Atheism

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Isn't religion really just an opinion? (self.atheism)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by illectrility to c/[email protected]

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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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[–] illectrility 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

We preach to our kids that Religion is a choice.

Sorry, but all my alarm bells are ringing when I read this. It sounds like something you would say if you don't want to admit to indoctrinating your kids.

I really don't see a preacher give a disclaimer like "Just FYI: You don't have to believe a word I'm about to say. There's no actual evidence for anything I'll tell you. It's actually partially disproven. We still believe it, though. But, again, just because all of us here believe it, doesn't mean you have to. Of course we all want you to believe it too. Your parents brought you here for a reason but feel free to not believe us. Totally fine."

Come on, as if. Furthermore, do you really think that young children would understand what you mean? I doubt you would have a non-believer come in and explain their beliefs and how the world actually works and have your children pick, right? Also, do you really think that a kid who is put in a room by the people they trust most, their parents, and is told stuff that everyone there, including their parents, agrees with would get what you mean with "choice"? No, they just follow their parents' example.

Obviously I don't know you and if you actually explain to your kids how the world works as proven by science and assure them that your religious beliefs are purely spiritual, that's cool I guess. I know for a fact, though, that people who do that are a minority so little that they're statistically insignificant.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Catholics are 'two truths', see St. Thomas Aquinas. Science is one path to truth. God and faith are another. If both are true, then any (seeming) contradiction must be a human error, a misunderstanding that deeper study (either of faith or of science) will eventually reveal the truth and let both sides agree again.

Science has a large component of Catholicism actually. The Catholic monk Mendel discovered genetics and Catholics officially are cool with evolution. (Of course, specific people may disagree but there have been a lot of... Evangelicals... Who seemed to have joined in recent years pushing us to some braindead perspectives).

Nonetheless, the 'Mysteries' of Catholic faith, such as the Virgin Birth, the existence of God, etc. Etc. Are all unprovable and unfalsifiable. Given the nature of the core of our faith, it can only be described as a choice.

There is no proof, no logic, no argument to the core issues. It's simply if you believe or if you don't believe.