Religion
Related: About this forumHypothesis: faith, is a sub-set version of Self-Deception...
...and a symptom of a medical condition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-deception
Self-deception
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Self-deception is a process of denying or rationalizing away the relevance, significance, or importance of opposing evidence and logical argument. Self-deception involves convincing oneself of a truth (or lack of truth) so that one does not reveal any self-knowledge of the deception.
(snip)
Medicine
Self-deception has a prominent role in several medical conditions, such as borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and histrionic personality disorder.
i.e. faith is a symptom of a medical condition, a type of disease, specifically a disease of the mind, or by analogy, a mind-virus. Consequently, when a non-faithful individual engages with an individual who claims to be a member of the faithful they should have the mind-set that the 'faithful' person is, metaphorically, infected with virus.
The non-faithful should fully acknowledge that a person expressing faith, who may be willfully ignorant (by definition) as a symptom, is not necessarily otherwise cognitively challenged. Therefore, they should be approached with robust logical arguments against the ideas they express and not be treated with personal derision, condescension or disdain. Such responses are not helpful, instead the non-faithful should focus entirely on the ideas themselves, that is, expose and discuss the roots of the deception as the problem. Also consider, furthering the mind-virus analogy, most faithful were 'infected' while they were children, a time where the ability to effect skeptical review of bad ideas is almost non-existent, and their faith, their disease, so to speak, was implanted and took root early and was not/is not the result of a conscious/deliberate/informed choice on their part.
The overall hypothesis is that the 'faithful' should be treated/approached with the same empathy and compassion as someone who has a physical disease or some other mental condition.
They are not stupid and its not their fault. Their faith is a symptom of a disease they were generally exposed to as children and they should be engaged and approached as such.
Discuss.
Cartoonist
(7,532 posts)While I no longer suffer from the disease, I don't really know how I recovered. It happened over a period of time and used no drugs.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)but many people cannot tolerate reason.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)trev
(1,480 posts)That's why religious proponents make every effort to indoctrinate children.
It's even in Proverbs. I'm on my phone so won't bother to log out and look it up, but the verse basically says your child will adhere to your teachings for life.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)Proverbs 22:6
trev
(1,480 posts)SCantiGOP
(14,247 posts)Than discussing this.
Act_of_Reparation
(9,116 posts)SCantiGOP
(14,247 posts)there you are.
Cartoonist
(7,532 posts)What I think you mean is that you don't want anyone to discuss this, so you tried to cut it off before it began.
SCantiGOP
(14,247 posts)three comments about inanity.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)Just gets more fascinating as we go.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)And in harmony.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)So Christian.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)I am using the scientific method of observation and analysis.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)My apologies for the error.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)But getting an apology from you is greatly appreciated, even if it's dripping with contempt and trademark Christian love.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Understood.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Confirmation bias is one of those some things.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)It's not magic, I assure you.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)But just because you feel you are correct about an issue does not constitute proof.
MineralMan
(147,591 posts)Thanks.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)MineralMan
(147,591 posts)What I post is always my opinion, as I state in my signature line. You're welcome not to share that opinion. We can discuss that, on a case-by-case basis, no?
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable.
Hard enough to defend your positions as it is.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Or a sceptic?
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)You exist, and you know the actual answer, therefore the answer is knowable.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)I do exist, or so I feel.
MineralMan
(147,591 posts)Meanwhile here you are in this thread.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Interesting. And predictable.
MineralMan
(147,591 posts)It's not. In fact it's a perfectly good thread for this group.
As always, thanks for your comment. I can always count on you to reply to me, whether we were having a conversation or not. That way, I know you're OK.
Major Nikon
(36,900 posts)If your neighbor thought your satellite dish was transmitting mind control beams into his home designed to corrupt him, you'd probably think he is insane or at least highly irrational. Meanwhile the exact same belief happens with some religionists about homosexuality and society views them as rational people.
Quite often people in this group focus on the belief in one or more deities as the issue. That's not really the issue. Religion makes numerous unsupported incredible claims that go far beyond belief in one or more deities. The issue is what they believe their invisible overlord is telling them to do. That's where the real delusional behavior begins.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)The president of the United States has claimed, on more than one occasion, to be in dialogue with God. If he said that he was talking to God through his hairdryer, this would precipitate a national emergency. I fail to see how the addition of a hairdryer makes the claim more ridiculous or offensive.
Major Nikon
(36,900 posts)Meanwhile that same presidunce couldnt differentiate between god or Dick Cheney telling him to invade Iraq.
Response to Major Nikon (Reply #5)
Freelancer This message was self-deleted by its author.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)... with an attempt at a power play, to shut off further commentary or investigation/therapy? Then we hear a warning about right-wing terrorism!? Yes, we might in fact take threats of right wing terrorism, suicide attacks, seriously.
So: when we confront a patent in angry Denial, patience and caution are clearly advised.
To our patients? In a democracy, it is thought to be good to allow many points of view to be expressed. Including those that challenge your own faith.
Act_of_Reparation
(9,116 posts)...cuz I stopped growing at 13.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)What about the self deception of those who feel they are competent to declare others to be deceived when speaking of unprovable matters?
Discuss? Hardly.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Or not.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...please discuss.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)If so, the answer is obvious.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...what 'name' did I 'call'? I don't see it, so please be so kind as to highlight the specific text, the 'name' I called. Or, failing that, please explain why is this triggering such a vehement response from you. Does this represent something personal, something deeper, for you?
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Perhaps the reason for your post is rooted in something from your past.
Or it might be that because this article validates your own view, you feel it must be correct.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)..., and therefore, I sense I have 'hit a nerve', so to speak.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Confirmation bias is an interesting topic, is it not?
Mariana
(15,120 posts)You asked a question. A question isn't an answer, by definition.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...it is my hypothesis, I'm not into self-validation and circular references.
I asked for discussion, not validation.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Thank you for revealing so much, intentionally or not.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...yes, ouch, that was/is my method. Touche'
Major Nikon
(36,900 posts)As usual.
Hes made the same lame ass allegation before, and will insist ad nauseum he was called a name, even when he cant manage to figure out what name he was called. Funny how that works. Sounds kinda familiar.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)On a certain level.
MineralMan
(147,591 posts)You must have read that into the post, between the lines, or something.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Or something.
MineralMan
(147,591 posts)but so far, I haven't seen you post anything about religion. Instead, you are making snide comments to other posters here. I'm not sure what the usefulness of that might be.
So, do you have a religion topic you would like to discuss today, or will you spend your brief time in the group today simply posting vague attacks on others here?
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)And yes, I do have something to post about.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218316104
MineralMan
(147,591 posts)NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)It is not included in my OP. You can search the text until the last black hole has evaporated from the universe and you won't find it, so where did this word come from?
It is a product of your mind, and it is curious that you should openly post it here.
Is there something deeper there, in your mind, that you need to explore?
trotsky
(49,533 posts)Please link to it.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)No need for a link.
Cartoonist
(7,532 posts)In the OP, there are several possibilities. While there is NO actual name calling, some terms can be twisted into descriptive designations.
Self-deceptor
Mind-virus owner
Willfully ignorant (by definition)
Putting quotation marks around faith and faithful is highly offensive.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)I agree that the language is a bit more aggressive than therapeutic.
Though it caught my attention...
Maybe there's a place for a "Dr. Phil" intervention in the Faith community?
Personally I very much like the content here. Though for myself I like to generally pursue a more calmly reasoned approach.
Still? It's a democracy. Let many approaches blossom?
To be sure, I might say that if a contributor is going to advance a view as calm therapy, he's going to have to explain any use of aggressive language.
Maybe Neo Green should be introduced as using "Dr. Phil"-style therapy?
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Framing the majority of humans as the victims of a virus as a way of elevating those who are not subject to this supposed virus.
Cartoonist
(7,532 posts)We're just trying to help. We recognize the virus. Many of us suffered the same thing. You are wrong in saying we do this just as a self aggrandizing conceit.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)trotsky
(49,533 posts)Major Nikon
(36,900 posts)Not that theres any sense trying to hide what was always a transparent tactic.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)trotsky
(49,533 posts)Your cherry-picked definition from a website of ONE meaning of the word doesn't change that, no matter how desperately you wish that were the case.
MineralMan
(147,591 posts)Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)As they were advertised in say, John 14.13.
And? Metaphorical, "spiritual" Christians know this. That is exactly why they chose to call them metaphors. Because taken literally, even the simplist sense of science suggests such promises are clearly false
So can we agree on that?
Response to Bretton Garcia (Reply #63)
Freelancer This message was self-deleted by its author.
edhopper
(34,836 posts)unprovable as in, absolutely no evidence at all?
Yeah, that is worth discussing.
The delusion of lack of evidence for, and evidence against existing, means "faith is being tested."
It's the logic of a schizophrenic.
Response to NeoGreen (Original post)
Cartoonist This message was self-deleted by its author.
elleng
(136,095 posts)Karadeniz
(23,424 posts)reasonable to me. Before I'd finished reading, I thought most people's faith could be chalked up to its being socially acceptable within their niche. As far as Christianity is concerned, faith is now the buzzword for being Christian rather than modeling one's thoughts and actions on Christian teachings. As James wrote, you can't have one without the other. Faith-Christianity is not a true religion, at least as far as the original communities felt.
Cartoonist
(7,532 posts)It's their last and final word. When they run out of cognitive arguments, they throw out the word "faith" to signal that reality and logic have no place in their ideology.
Response to Cartoonist (Reply #55)
Freelancer This message was self-deleted by its author.
Response to Karadeniz (Reply #52)
Freelancer This message was self-deleted by its author.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)Inherently understandable. An appeal to instinctive Reasonableness?
Some theologians like Aquinas or Augustine referred to the "rational soul "
I've made the argument too that the "word" or "logos," relates to our English cognate "logic."
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)Though he usually uses it unfortunately, just to attack reason and logic and science, as just more faith.
But Guil? What if we turn it around? Religious faith was just an early version, prescience, of Logic?
It may be that there are no "presuppositionless inquiries." But given that, the provisionally best grounded studies, those advancing the most likely convincing results, "fruits," would be Reason, Science, Logic.
Or for religious folks, the "rational soul."
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)interesting - thank you for posting!
There was one aspect of your post that I wanted to ask your opinion about, specifically: When would it be appropriate for someone who is non-faithful to "expose and discuss the roots of the deception" with someone who identifies as a person of faith?
Obviously I'm talking about outside of this group - since the purpose here is to discuss such issues - but in society as a whole, should this engagement only take place when a person of faith tries to convert someone who does not believe the same as they do or (worse) the person of faith insults or condemns someone because they do not believe?
In other words, do you see this sort of engagement initiated as a reaction to people of faith who overstep their bounds or should this engagement be a proactive step by non-faithful individuals to try to help cure the faithful of this disease?
Thank you again for posting!
Wishing you well and peace.
Tim
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)And by "delusions" and "false spirits."
So there is a useful biblical language, precedent, to describe delusions even in very religious people. Even those "Christians" who think they are following Christ, may be following a "false Christ."
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)To your point, if there are Christians who may be following a false Christ - and it is viewed as a symptom of a disease (i.e, self-deception) - would it be more appropriate and/or effective to be reactive or proactive when initiating engagement to address/counter a person of faith?
Thank you again - wishing you well and peace!
Tim
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)Christians are privileged, and not used to very direct criticism in general though. And that has allowed them to live with far too many illusions, unchallenged, for far too long.
So SOME criticism is in order. When, is a matter for individual judgment.
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)First of all, thank you again for taking the time to respond to another of my posts.
If I may ask another question - in your opinion, should ALL illusions held by a Christian (such as myself) be challenged and criticized? For example, as a Catholic, I believe in the Trinity as well as Transubstantiation - so I can understand and respect why someone who does not believe as I do would find these beliefs worthy of challenge and criticism. On the other hand, are there certain aspects of faith (again, in your opinion) that should be celebrated?
I ask because I think that the way I try to live my life is a byproduct of my faith - not to avoid being sent to hell or to bargain my way into heaven (if either place exists), but rather because I believe that the love of god is to be shared by and with everyone - regardless of their belief or unbelief - and that I can best share that love by offering comfort and support where I can, especially among those who are less fortunate than myself.
Of course it could be argued that I might still try to live my life that way even if I was not raised Catholic (others certainly have), but the fact of that matter is that I was raised that way...so perhaps even if others do not agree with what I believe, I hope at least that my actions and deeds (inspired by my faith) have a positive impact on others.
I imagine that we will not agree on most topics concerning religion and/or faith, but I greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with you.
Wishing you well and peace -
Tim
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)But at some stage, we hope you will see some bad effects coming from religion too.
Who will teach tolerance if there is no religion? Maybe the Constitution; Liberalism.
Liberal Christianity has a few, albeit problematic, overlaps with atheist liberalism.
Some say we are religious as children; cf. St. Paul. But we add to, modify that, as we become adults.
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)Last edited Thu Jun 27, 2019, 08:44 AM - Edit history (1)
I absolutely agree that there are other ways to teach tolerance outside of religion - and I also agree (and acknowledge) that there are some bad effects that stem from religion.
I think that discussions like this are helpful for both sides to understand our differences, and see if (perhaps) there are areas where we can find agreement.
Thank you again - wishing you well and peace.
Tim
Major Nikon
(36,900 posts)Without realizing it I think you've made the point as to why faith should not be celebrated. It requires people to suspend critical thought.
This is perhaps the #1 problem with organized religion. It posits ideas as divine and inarbitrable. That's why we can't seem to pry away ideas about why it's a good idea to hate based on oral tradition from the stone age.
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)First of all, if I gave the impression that ideas about my faith are not worthy of challenge and/or criticism...that was not my intent, and if my post conveyed that message, then the fault lies with me, and I apologize for not being more clear.
The point that I wanted to make, was that there ARE certain aspects of faith which lend themselves to discussion/debate/challenge/criticism (such as belief in the Trinity or Transubstantiation) but I also wanted to ask: If a person of faith lives their life in positive service to others based on their faith, should that also be challenged or criticized? In other words, should the belief itself be challenged/criticized or should just the actions resulting from those beliefs?
That was the gist of my initial response to Bretton Garcia - I hope that I was more clear in my response to you.
Thank you again for the opportunity for discussion - wishing you well and peace.
Tim
Major Nikon
(36,900 posts)Assuming this is what you are saying, its not all that surprising. Its pretty hard to envision religion without dogma, and Christianity is certainly no exception. What Im pointing out is this is the inherent flaw of religion. Whenever any idea is exempt from criticism, corruption is the inevitable result. This is true with many things besides religion, but is especially true in that instance.
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)Actually, I try to be open to criticism and debate on most topics, including issues of faith (that's the only way one grows and learns) which is why I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with you and others.
If I stated that there was a particular idea/belief that I thought was beyond criticism, I would be more than happy to discuss it with you.
Thank you again - wishing you well and peace!
Tim
Major Nikon
(36,900 posts)How else does one define faith?
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)I think on this point we are in agreement - as a person of faith (specifically a Catholic) there are certain ideas that I accept and believe, including the Resurrection, Transubstantiation, and the divinity of Jesus - but why should having these beliefs shield me from dissenting views and criticism?
These are my beliefs (not yours), so you should have every right to disagree, criticize, and (if so desired) mock me for these beliefs.
It is my hope and goal, however, that these beliefs guide me in treating others fairly and with respect, but if they don't, then you have every right to call me out for my actions.
Again, I appreciate the discussion - wishing you well and peace
Tim
Major Nikon
(36,900 posts)Are there aspects of faith that should be celebrated?
My answer is no for the reasons given which have nothing to do with how you view your faith on a personal level. Regardless of what potential you think faith has for benevolence, in practice it has even more potential for malevolence. Either way its still a dishonest way of behavior modification. I can really see nothing worth celebrating.
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)answer to that question, as well as your right to question and criticize my beliefs.
Obviously we see this differently and will not reach agreement on this issue, but I greatly appreciate your well thought out position/comments and your civility in discussing this with me.
Thank you again - wishing you well and peace.
Tim
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...Thanks for your reply, I will do my best to address your comments and questions.
When would it be appropriate for someone who is non-faithful to "expose and discuss the roots of the deception" with someone who identifies as a person of faith?
My post above does not suggest that those without 'faith' should engage, but is focused on if and when they do engage.
In other words, do you see this sort of engagement initiated as a reaction to people of faith who overstep their bounds or should this engagement be a proactive step by non-faithful individuals to try to help cure the faithful of this disease?
First, the hypothesis uses an analogy to express the main point and is a priori on shaky ground, as with most analogies, when the details are discussed. That being said, I don't think there is a cure, in the medical sense, I merely wish to provide a possible means for those who are without 'faith' to frame their dialog/approach in discussion with those who claim 'faith'.
The only way out of the 'faith' trap, that is to defeat the virus so to speak, is for the individual to escape on their own.
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)That makes perfect sense.
If I may ask another question - in your opinion, if an individual (like myself) who claims to be a person of faith is self-delusional in this regard, would it be possible (or even likely) for me to escape the "faith trap" on my own if I see that faith as being beneficial?
For example, as you may have seen in a recent post of mine, my father died last Tuesday:
https://www.candlelightfuneralhome.com/notices/Tom-Lynch?fbclid=IwAR34Q7Emcxxl-pLx8VXkk2T6Fl4OUKIdIt7zLJWMbzB3CV98YJPvolrIkVc
During his life, my father was a very devout Catholic, and that faith not only gave him great comfort, but (in my opinion) it also helped shape his worldview and the way he treated others - with great compassion and love. My mother also shared this faith, and that faith gave her great comfort during the time he was dying - not to mention the words of support and comfort the priest provided at his funeral.
To that end, not that I think that you or anyone else in this group is trying to dissuade me from my own personal beliefs/faith, but for the sake of discussion, do you think faith is always a trap, when (for some) it may be the only available means of solace, support, and comfort?
Thank you again for the opportunity to discuss this with you.
Wishing you well and peace.
Tim
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)... my response(s):
in your opinion, if an individual (like myself) who claims to be a person of faith is self-delusional in this regard, would it be possible (or even likely) for me to escape the "faith trap" on my own if I see that faith as being beneficial?
I really can't speculate on the probability or even the likelihood of your specific ability to escape, other than to say it is possible and that the probability isn't fixed across time.
During his life, my father was a very devout Catholic, and that faith not only gave him great comfort, but (in my opinion) it also helped shape his worldview and the way he treated others - with great compassion and love. My mother also shared this faith, and that faith gave her great comfort during the time he was dying - not to mention the words of support and comfort the priest provided at his funeral.
To that end, not that I think that you or anyone else in this group is trying to dissuade me from my own personal beliefs/faith, but for the sake of discussion, do you think faith is always a trap, when (for some) it may be the only available means of solace, support, and comfort?
No doubt the belief can be a catalyst for comfort and in some cases compassion, regardless of the 'flavor'. However, the level(s) of comfort/solace, no matter how great, do not provide one iota toward the truth of the base beliefs. Transubstantiation is not a real thing. It does not comport with the real world. Creationism is not a real thing. Resurrection is not a real thing. The End-Of-Days in not a real thing.
These beliefs are incompatible with the desire to create and maintain a durable society. Managing the future of society through the 'lens' of religious philosophies and 'truths' is illegitimate and dangerous.
Plus, there are better alternatives in the world that can be catalysis for comfort and compassion, and which have the added benefit of not requiring a belief in magic. It is up to you to seek them out and find them.
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)Although I'm relatively sure that we will not reach agreement on this topic, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with you.
Thank you again - wishing you well and peace!
Tim
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...
MaryMagdaline
(7,884 posts)I dont logically believe in god, etc, but I envy my parents resolute faith. Without it, life is meaningless. Believers do have an advantage over the rest of us.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)Without religious faith, "life is meaningless"? That is simply not true.
One perspective:
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/blog/corymarkum/life-without-god-meaningless
...For the godless, the sheer finitude of this life, combined with its fragility, makes every second of it incomparably more astounding and more valuable than it would be if it were merely a chapter taken from an infinite book of life.
MaryMagdaline
(7,884 posts)It really is no substitute for the belief in afterlife. If religion is the opiate of the people (it is) Im not sure a benevolent god or dictator would not prescribe it for the benefit of mankind.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)I'm sorry you think life is meaningless without religion, but not everyone does.
MaryMagdaline
(7,884 posts)Pendrench
(1,389 posts)In my opinion, the fact that one does not adhere to a particular religion and/or set of beliefs (such as I do) does not make their life meaningless. It may, in fact, give MORE meaning to their life, and to the lives of those they love and cherish.
Wishing you well and peace.
Tim
Pendrench
(1,389 posts)those who do not have faith, or that we who profess a certain faith have any sort of advantage over those who do not believe.
For example, my father recently died (on June 18) - and while I can personally say that my faith offered me comfort, I can also say that I found comfort in the memories of my father, as well as seeing his legacy live on in his children and grandchildren, not to mention the friends he made, and all the good he accomplished in his life.
Those things are independent of faith, and can be shared and celebrated by all of us...so I definitely can see how faith is not necessary to find comfort in such situations.
As far as compassion is concerned, I would bet that many of the people who took care of my dad during his last illness probably did not believe in god...yet their compassion to him and to our family stemmed from the fact that they were simply good, caring people, not because of what they believed or did not believe.
Anyway, those are just my personal thoughts on this issue - I welcome the opportunity to continue this discussion with you and others.
Wishing you well and peace
Tim
The Velveteen Ocelot
(120,883 posts)"A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. Mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress in social, occupational, or other important activities." If a person's religion isn't causing him/her significant distress in his/her important activities, it wouldn't be classified as a mental disorder.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...I was using an analogy to express a hypothesis of an idea. The analogy is not the idea itself.
Also, please consider, the idea is, at its base, a suggestion focused toward people who do not claim 'faith', not the other way around.
Plus, I merely suggested that 'faith' is a form of self-deception and then noted that self-deception is a symptom of mental disorders.
I did not say that 'faith' = mental disorder. You reading too much into the hypothesis.
MaryMagdaline
(7,884 posts)If you cure me of my self-deception, am I better off? Are you?
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...before 911, wouldn't they have been better off?
The other passengers?
The citizens of the US?
The world as a whole?
MaryMagdaline
(7,884 posts)THEY on the other hand, ended up no worse than they would have, had they lived exemplary lives, loved mankind and cured cancer. They still end up dead and going into nothingness.
They died, however, thinking they would get into heaven. As a wartime advantage, score one for bin laden. If society needs soldiers, the believers have an advantage.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...don't have "Gott Mit Uns" imprinted on their belts.
The overall advantage is with the secular society whose service members are not deluded with irrational ideas and hold to the idea that: "The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his."
MaryMagdaline
(7,884 posts)If Im forming an army. Patton was good for motivating the anti-believers, though.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)...as we are now.
NeoGreen
(4,033 posts)
Dysrationalia
Dysrationalia is defined as the inability to think and behave rationally despite adequate intelligence. It is a concept in educational psychology and is not a clinical disorder such as a thought disorder. Dysrationalia can be a resource to help explain why smart people fall for Ponzi schemes and other fraudulent encounters.
(snip)
Examples
One example that can be related to dysrationalia centers on two former Illinois schoolteachers who pulled their children from the local public school in the area because discussions of the Holocaust are a part of the history curriculum. These parents, who are presumably competent due to their college education, believe that the Holocaust is a myth and should not be taught to their children. This is an example of a problem in belief formation regardless of intelligence.
A survey was given to Canadian Mensa club members on the topic of paranormal belief. Mensa members are provided membership strictly because of their high-IQ scores. The survey results show that 44% of the members believed in astrology, 51% believed in biorhythms, and 56% believed in the existence of extraterrestrial visitors. All these beliefs have no valid evidence.
There are many examples of people who are famous because of their intelligence, but often display irrational behavior. Martin Heidegger, a renowned philosopher, was also a Nazi apologist and used the most fallacious arguments to justify his beliefs. William Crookes, a famous scientist who discovered the element thallium and a Fellow of the Royal Society, was continually duped by spiritual mediums yet never gave up his spiritualist beliefs. Kary Mullis, an American biochemist and 1993 Nobel Prize winner, is also an astrology supporter and a global warming and HIV/AIDS denier.