Advice to libertarian fathers, + religion & the free society

[John_James]

@Clayton

This is the essence of religion - people who are voluntarily seeking advice and guidance from other people who are recognized for their wisdom and insight.

Yeah that’s a definition of “religion” that I’ve never heard in my life.

Dictionary.com says:

noun

1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.

4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.

5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

Merriam-Webster says:

1a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion>
b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

2**:** a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness

4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Wikipedia says:

a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values.^{[note 1]} Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the universe. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature. According to some estimates there are roughly 4200 religions in the world.^[1]

Many religions may have organized behaviors, clergy, a definition of what constitutes adherence or membership, holy places, and scriptures. The practice of a religion may also include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration a god or gods, sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trance, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service or other aspects of human culture.

The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system, but religion differs from private belief in that it has a social aspect.^[2] A poll showed that 59% of the world’s population is religious, 23% are not religious and 13% are atheists.

I could present more, but I think you get the idea. I have no idea where that definition is coming from. I never realized a couple of kids asking their grandfather how to construct a good slingshot was a perfect example of “religion”.

As for why religion has so much bullshit in it, I think a lot of this can be explained as low-tech, anarchistic Intellectual Property protections… think of it as stone-age DRM. Wrapping your non-bullshit insights in layers and layers of bullshit is one way to frustrate the attempts of your customers or competitors to copy your insights without paying you. So, it’s a way to make sure you get paid. “To learn the secret of the serpent, bring your offerings to the alter next week at this same time.”

You cannot be serious. I honestly mean no insult to you, but that has to be one of the most moronic things I’ve ever heard in my life.

I cannot believe anyone would even begin to suggest that people tithe money to a church because they’re just dying to know what the preacher is going to say next. I’m actually dumbfounded. If this wasn’t a textual format I wouldn’t be able to finish a sentence.