Why do Intelligent People still Believe in Religion?9b: Aesthetics and practical mysticism | GinaConspiracy
After re-watching Richard Dawkin's series “The enemies of reason”, I was reminded that although there are many negatives in religion, there are a few things that they and the new agers still hold the pattens on that may actually be useful to humanity As you saw in my little tour of my alter, I enjoy my alter, rituals and feng shui
Many purists would say “You aren't a real skeptic if you indulge in that” Well yes I am, however I use these not in a dogmatic way but in a helpful way I coined his phrase in discussion with my Girlfriend last week, which I called useful mysticism My kitchen god is no different from pretending that Santa is real, and if it reminds me to keep my kitchen clean I may have to get a bathroom god after Chinese new year to remind me to keep my toilet clean Thanks to a mix of paradolia which is seeing patterns that aren't there and our own mirror neurons which produce empathy, we are capable of feeling life or a presence when it is not, especially on inanimate objects
If I can trick my mind to think that the kitchen god is actually a presences and will punish me if I don't keep my kitchen clean then all the better The mind readily accepts and is open to illusion thanks to our limited perceptions and mental processes I find it interesting that along with so many scientists, illusionists are some of the top skeptics Just because I go see an illusionist, it doesn't mean I believe that person has any magical powers, the same is true with my kitchen god My alter is a reminder of things that are important to myself and what I hold dear
I light candles and meditate and do yoga in front of it in an attempt to be reminded that I should focus on what is truly important in life and relax There are actually many atheists out there who still attend worship service specifically in non-judgmental and liberal churches for this very reason There are beautiful interiors and rituals that allow that person to take their mind our of the real world for a period of time, which is very therapeutic at times Alternative medical practitioners give pampering attention, and advice and they allow us to be in a non-jaded and relaxed safe place, which is good for the brain on occasion My Girlfriend and I went to a Greek fest on the north side of town and they were celebrating their Greek orthodox church
The spokesperson proudly proclaimed that when the Russian czar decided to pick a religion for his country he sent ambassadors around and picked the Greek orthodox church because it was the most beautiful I was blown away that being pretty was the reason anyone would pick a religion, however on a certain level I can understand Beauty is their idea of god and they want to be closer to god Churches weren't even constructed til the 4th century and the Christian community was more of a communist co-op who were supposed to help the poor and needy as opposed to making rich buildings Dr Robert Price Suggested in place of churches, we build lyceums, which in ancient Greece were places of learning and art as well as a gymnasium and library
It was a place to come and discuss philosophy, science or art, and it was beautifully designed It was a cathedral to learning that took one out of the mundane and inspired one to learn They also acted as public meeting houses, much like the British pubs used to be I do not know how the funds for this sort of project would be raised considering all the other things needing our help, however the idea would take away one more thing that religion can hold a patent on Churches also hold a patent on 2 other areas
That is the collection plate and group singing It is found that religious people give more, and that is actually the only area where they statistically claim to surpass us A lot of this however is caused by the fact that church hits them with constant reminders of giving and making it very easy to give and uncomfortable not to give Sadly a lot of this giving goes to not actually help those in need, but to frivolous decorations at best and televangelists at worst Group singing is pretty much the only thing I miss at church, in fact I know a few people who still go to church because it is the only place where singing is not only allowed but almost mandatory
If you watch my video amazing truth, it shows that I haven't been to church in 8 years as my voice has sadly feel out of practice Many Christians think that god is filling them during their praise in song, but studies have found that singing in unison has an emotional effect on anyone regardless of the song, and it creates a feeling of community and togetherness For some reason singing anywhere else is looked down on or considered annoying because our Ipods have set a very high standard of what is considered good singing Karaoke is the only place that singing is ok in our society and its never together Who knows maybe rock band will be the new church for many people
We had a great time singing along to the Beatles together, at our center for inquiry on new years Maybe “Just as I am” will be replaced by I am the walrus for group singing Sounds like a great ritual to start to me! Dawkins also discussed in his video medicine and pseudo-science, and found a few positive things about it In the case magic like crystals there is the fun in getting new things, most of the pseudo-science books I've found have beautiful pictures and seem full of hope I use feng shui because it helps me declutter and people say it helps make the room look nice which is good as I have no fashion sense
It also makes me more aware of things in my house I need to take care of Even if its not real, the effects I put into are useful mysticism A little illusion is good for the soul and the placebo effect helps However overspending, reduced skepticism, blind belief and getting ripped off are not If your skepticism becomes compromised by not scientifically backed treatments or beliefs back off so you can think without the emotion involved In alternative medicine, if you can't back up the treatment with scientific methods such as double blind testing, replace it with a massage
Something tried and true to be highly beneficial for you if done by a licensed practitioner, and you get pampered to your hearts content
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