Why do some people believe that religion is holding humanity back?

I might be poking a hornet's nest but why do some scientists, rationalists, atheists and just aobut everyone else believe that religion especially christianity is holding humanity back?

"Thanos is a happy guy! Just look at the smile in his face!"

Because some believe that Christianity or the possibility of a god restricts the idea of human will and human potential?

Because Freud said religion is an infantile state of human potential? (Probably wording this second part wrong btw)

I feel like the idea is that believing in any religion restricts how much free will we have, but for most people it's kind of their choice to believe in it in the first place?

edited 19th Oct '15 12:58:54 PM by StarBee

First of all, this is probably not the best place to start this conversation.

Secondly, it's because they are ignorant.

There have been many religious people who contributed in humanity's progress (Hell, Isaac Newton was a very religious man, to start with) and there have also been many non-religious people who contributed in holding back humanity's progress (Nazis, anyone?).

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

edited 19th Oct '15 1:18:33 PM by ElectricNova

I'm pretty sure they were-

-oh.

Nevermind, then.

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

because people belive that certain extremist religions do

edited 19th Oct '15 1:25:03 PM by Ultimatum

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True, but most of the big ones don't.

um this topic should really get sunk before it gets out of the dock

its in the wrong place and stuff like this literally never ends well

relax.

I'm sure no one here is planning to take extreme positions for lulz

New theme music also a box

Wow, this thread went into Godwin mode already?

Anyway, Hitler and his gang portrayed themselves as Christians in order to acquire the Christian vote (they achieved it with a fair amount of success in regards to Protestants, less so with Catholics). Behind the scenes, however, there was an intense hate of Christianity, due to its Jewish roots (amongst other 'arguments'), and I think there was a future plan to wipe out Christianity within the territory occupied by the Reich.

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Anyway, OP: I think the thread is really not appropriate for this forum (you could ask that in the General Religion thread, in OTC, though I think you would also receive some derisive discourse/responses, in spite of the intelligent discourse that happens there once in a while). Let's just say that people who do not share beliefs or disbeliefs will never be naturally fond of other beliefs or disbeliefs. For a multitude of reasons (philosophical, pseudo-philosophical^note looking at you, Sam Harris, personal, economical, political, conflicts of rights and interests and territory, and so forth).

The question of free will has different responses from religion to religion (and even from denomination to denomination, and even from person to person within a religion). There are atheists, agnostics and theists who were/are either very pro-determinism, very pro-free will, or try to achieve a sort of balance. It is a question which will never have a solid, definitive answer people can agree with (because it's been one of the major questions in philosophy throughout history, due to its repercussions in the realms of morals, ethics, values and cultural or political systems).

And, finally, you have to take into account that there are atheists, agnostics and theists who are massively myopic and can only fight strawmen and spout a whole lot of lies and bullshit when it comes to religion and non-religion. Remember, bigotry is something that is pervasive in the current debates around religion, on both sides, so, you have to either: a)take it with a lot of salt; or b) turn off, and focus on your personal and/or communitarian role, regardless of belief or disbelief. Or c) investigate and refine knowledge and thought through careful and detailed research.

edited 19th Oct '15 1:49:35 PM by Quag15

Because of the actions of some particularly zealous believers.

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...

I have the feeling that this topic'll probably be locked soon.

The fact that only 140 characters are allowed here is honestly so disappointing to me.

All in favour of hollering the mods to lock or transfer this thread?

Where would it end up if it was transferred?

The fact that only 140 characters are allowed here is honestly so disappointing to me.

Aye.

edited 19th Oct '15 1:46:50 PM by Demetrios

Flora is the most beautiful member of the Winx Club. :)

OTC.

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Does anyone else want to say aye? One aye is good enough (), but two ayes is better.

edited 19th Oct '15 1:49:02 PM by Quag15

I'll aye too then.

The fact that only 140 characters are allowed here is honestly so disappointing to me.

aye aye captain make him walk the plank!

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Punch it.

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

Punch it like Captain Falcon

The fact that only 140 characters are allowed here is honestly so disappointing to me.

[trolling]

New theme music also a box

It might work better entitled "What do non-believers think of religion and its effects".

Stories don't tell us monsters exist; we knew that already. They show us that monsters can be trademarked and milked for years.

I've hollered the mods a while ago. Let's hope the Falcon punch will happen.

I think that would exclude believers from having something to say. It's best to hear from both sides, otherwise, it would end up being too limitative (and could generate a sort of echo chamber).

edited 19th Oct '15 3:29:32 PM by Quag15

Extremists in anything can give a bad vibe.

That, or you have a bunch 'a young men trying to look intelligent. Bonus points if they fit the internet definition of a neckbeard.

Try imagining how far the universe extends! Keep thinking about it until you go insane.

The problem is that when people think of extremists in general they turn on one religion in particular because the media is constantly bombarding them with images and stories that seem to suggest that extremism comprises the entire religion and then they think that religion in general is holding everyone else back.

edited 19th Oct '15 3:50:36 PM by Ultimatum

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Especially inside bad guys.

Oh, you meant Extremists, not Extremis.

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.