Back to Home

God & Science Forum Message

Forums: Atm · Astrophotography · Blackholes · Blackholes2 · CCD · Celestron · Domes · Education
Eyepieces · Meade · Misc. · God and Science · SETI · Software · UFO · XEphem
RSS Button

Home | Discussion Forums | God and Science | Post
Login

Be the first pioneers to continue the Astronomy Discussions at our new Astronomy meeting place...
The Space and Astronomy Agora
Socialogical Perspective

Forum List | Follow Ups | Post Message | Back to Thread Topics
Posted by S.H. Le on December 1, 1999 21:30:55 UTC

"Religion is the opium of the people." Marx believed that religion was a human creation used by impoverished people to distract themselves from the harsh conditions of their daily life. He also held that wealthy capitalists encourage religious belief because it diverts working people's attention from the real sources of their suffering. For Marx, once exploitation was removed from society,religion would die off.

Far from being a tool of exploitation, Durkheim believed that religion has a crucial and positive function in society. Originating in the shared common sentiments that develop when people live in groups, the collective conscience gives people the feeling of being in the presence of a higher power. "God," as some people name this feeling, is simply the members of society experiencing themselves as a group. Religious leaders designate some objects sacred and others profane. Modes of behaving around these objects form the core of religious beliefs and behaviours.

Institutionalized religion has widespread effects on society. Many people today see the vatican as a remnant of our puritanical past, hopelessly outdated today. Others assert that religion acts as the great unifier, and provides a sense of comfort.

Thoughts?

Follow Ups:

Login to Post
Additional Information
Google
 
Web www.astronomy.net
DayNightLine
About Astronomy Net | Advertise on Astronomy Net | Contact & Comments | Privacy Policy
Unless otherwise specified, web site content Copyright 1994-2024 John Huggins All Rights Reserved
Forum posts are Copyright their authors as specified in the heading above the post.
"dbHTML," "AstroGuide," "ASTRONOMY.NET" & "VA.NET"
are trademarks of John Huggins