At the "heart" of religion (esoterica) is "the mystery"; the rest (exoterica) is public-facing, dumbed down, ritual reenactments via mneumonic narratives of aspects (metaphors?) of "the mystery". Philosophy is the rational exorcism of self-abegnating, stupifying, infantalizing, reality-denying/escapist "mysteries" of which religion (i.e. cultic (conspiratorial) thinking) consists. — 180 Proof
If your point is that individuals have used religion as an excuse to do terrible things, I wouldn't disagree. However, I believe that says more about the nature of man than it does about the nature of religion. — Tzeentch
What remains undeniable is that religious belief is so widespread that it must be considered an elemental part of the human experience. We are Homo religiosus, not in our desire for creeds or institutions, nor in our commitments to specific gods and theologies, but in our existential striving toward transcendence: toward that which lies beyond the manifest world.
For a start I recommend (re)reading:... how philosophy may aid in bringing forth discussion in the most helpful and critical ways.
Well, "the truth" is imaginary, thereby a denial (E.Becker) or distraction from (L. Feuerbach) the real — 180 Proof
Well, "the truth" is imaginary, thereby a denial (E.Becker) or distraction from (L. Feuerbach) the real: ineluctable ephemerality ... oblivion. Philosophy reminds us to 'make life significant' because of, not despite, the real (e.g. daoija, (early) buddhism, ... epicureanism, spinozism, absurdism). — 180 Proof
Bad philosophy. Religious apologetics. "New Age" perennialists. Etcetera.Who's keeping the flame of this illusion of the truth burning? — TheMadFool
Bad philosophy. Religious apologetics. "New Age" perennialists. Etcetera — 180 Proof
I'm beginning to have second thoughts about the truth. I no longer believe such a thing exists. Still the myth persists - I wonder why? — TheMadFool
everything there "works" in such harmony — dimosthenis9
In my view a lot of current philosophy, especially in the English-speaking world, denies 'man's need for metaphysics' — Wayfarer
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