> The Pope as Rabble-Rouser - Religion as a Staple of Life
19 September 2006, 20:48
Brain science is currently exploring how mind responds to stimuli with intensive scanning technology, illustrating some fascinating facts. First, humans are terrified by terror, horror, and ominous threats. No surprise there. But what seems most terrifying is the unknown and the uncertain, which leaves many in a neurotic state of hell. It’s sad but true, most humans would rather rely on certainty even though it’s not based on reality than remain uncertain. And the truth is, there are few certainties regarding life, a soul, afterlife, and the purpose of life.
So there’s a parallel universe here: 1. the uncertain conditions of the world, and, 2. the fragile state of mind that requires most people to come up with various forms of certainty that will minimize fear regarding those conditions. History has clearly demonstrated the efficacy of religion in successfully providing the level of certainty people are looking for, much more effctively than reason, which requires a lot bunch of work, not to mention a minimum amount of intellect.
How’s that going to change any time soon? Until it does, get used to religion, because you can be certain: It’s not soon going to disappear.
Brain science is currently exploring how mind responds to stimuli with intensive scanning technology, illustrating some fascinating facts. First, humans are terrified by terror, horror, and ominous threats. No surprise there. But what seems most terrifying is the unknown and the uncertain, which leaves many in a neurotic state of hell. It’s sad but true, most humans would rather rely on certainty even though it’s not based on reality than remain uncertain. And the truth is, there are few certainties regarding life, a soul, afterlife, and the purpose of life.
So there’s a parallel universe here: 1. the uncertain conditions of the world, and, 2. the fragile state of mind that requires most people to come up with various forms of certainty that will minimize fear regarding those conditions. History has clearly demonstrated the efficacy of religion in successfully providing the level of certainty people are looking for, much more effctively than reason, which requires a lot bunch of work, not to mention a minimum amount of intellect.
How’s that going to change any time soon? Until it does, get used to religion, because you can be certain: It’s not soon going to disappear.