It's a little presumptuous to say that since there was no scientific method, which didn't exist until 300 years ago and is constantly evolving, people made shit up. That's ignoring the work of countless natural philosophers and other smart people.
They didn't know so they made up some theories. That itself is not stupid even if the theories turn out to be false.
Certainly is stupid to cling to bronze age goat herder theories when we currently have a rover on mars
Right, it'd be stupid to believe in theories proved wrong. Just want to point out that back in the days it was probably the best effort.
With religion it’s a little different though.
I really find it hard to believe that the people who created those religions were just making up theories. They were doing the same damn thing that cult leaders are doing today. Want power? Tell folks that you know some hidden, secret truth about why they exist. Tell them they have some great purpose and you know what it is.
The cult leader doesn’t have to worry about resources anymore, he doesn’t have to worry about reproducing anymore, and doesn’t have to worry about threats from outside as much anymore. The cult will feed him, breed with him, and protect him with their lives.
I can remember a time when I was young that I could have easily been wrapped up in that shit. I was primed for it by my family’s extreme religiosity and dealing with serious trauma.
I mean, I’m sure that some people in the realm of religion were just coming up with theories, but the winners were the big grifters with big promises.
I agree with you on it not being stupid. It’s hard being a human, and when someone offers eternal peace and an afterlife spent with the people we love, it isn’t dumb to hear him out. It’s not dumb at all. It’s sad.
As David Cross said, [paraphrasing] "they didn't have science then so everyone was even stupider than now."
It's a bit more involved.
Edit: Reddit DRM's images now?! Can you guys see it?
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The only truly stupid thing is assuming we know it all.
Which is exactly what religion does.
One thing faith does get right is that while you should always strive for meaning and answers, you do need a way to find peace with what you will never know and what you will never have control over.
That's not what faith does though. It forces meaning where there is none. That's not finding peace with it, that's denial.
Who's saying we know it all?
If we is Christians, then god can be your answer for everything philosophical, right?
