My 7 Year Old Daughter's Take On Religion

Everyone knows that it is really God bowling.

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

hedonist wrote:

I wonder though...is that religion-related or just common sense on your daughter's part?

(as an aside, this reminds me of "I'm Open" - in a really nice way)

to me, saying "people just believe that so they don't have to fear (whatever)" is what religion is all about. She obviously didn't mean it in the context of religion, but she already grasps the concept of averting fear through self-trickery, which I found quite impressive.

Yeah, that is pretty impressive. I agree, most religion seems to be to try and explain the shit that scares them that they can't explain.

Doesn't mean there isn't something out there though.

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

hedonist wrote:

I wonder though...is that religion-related or just common sense on your daughter's part?

(as an aside, this reminds me of "I'm Open" - in a really nice way)

to me, saying "people just believe that so they don't have to fear (whatever)" is what religion is all about. She obviously didn't mean it in the context of religion, but she already grasps the concept of averting fear through self-trickery, which I found quite impressive.

I think there is also the aspect of some people being hopeful (not so much fearful- although the two can certainly be intertwined).

Just as people buy lottery tickets and leave the store imagining 'what if'... some wish to believe in something after we depart. You got to admit... the vision of heaven is pretty alluring: you mean I won't just decay... I'll get to hang out in the most peaceful place ever? Rock on!!

I wish I could believe- I just have a hard time doing so with science slapping me every time I ponder for a moment or two. My childhood teachings are hard to overcome though: it's amazing how influential children can be and how strong their beliefs are forged.

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

hedonist wrote:

I wonder though...is that religion-related or just common sense on your daughter's part?

(as an aside, this reminds me of "I'm Open" - in a really nice way)

to me, saying "people just believe that so they don't have to fear (whatever)" is what religion is all about. She obviously didn't mean it in the context of religion, but she already grasps the concept of averting fear through self-trickery, which I found quite impressive.

Ah, she's learning how we all rationalize :P

It's nowhere near my place to assume your daughter's thought-process, but I'm not sure that self-trickery is limited to religion. Sometimes it's just how we get through and deal with life, and those things that are so much larger than us peons.

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

I think there is also the aspect of some people being hopeful (not so much fearful- although the two can certainly be intertwined).

Just as people buy lottery tickets and leave the store imagining 'what if'... some wish to believe in something after we depart. You got to admit... the vision of heaven is pretty alluring: you mean I won't just decay... I'll get to hang out in the most peaceful place ever? Rock on!!

I wish I could believe- I just have a hard time doing so with science slapping me every time I ponder for a moment or two. My childhood teachings are hard to overcome though: it's amazing how influential children can be and how strong their beliefs are forged.

I sort of meant "fearful" in the sense of being afraid of this being it, no seeing other loved ones that had passed before them, no paradise awaiting us, etc. But yeah, I guess hopeful could be used as well.

Either way works. My cold, cynical self believes that it is our job to come to terms with the reality that awaits us at some point: accept our fate.

DMB's lyrics resonate with me: eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.

Our lives are our most precious gift and too many times I am guilty of focusing on the wrong things. I always have to remind myself to place things in perspective. No more wasted days like the one getting away from me right now as I sit on this forum!

All religious parallels aside, frankly I find the notion of giants beating on drums much more frightening than any natural explanation of thunder. :P

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

I wish I could believe- I just have a hard time doing so with science slapping me every time I ponder for a moment or two. My childhood teachings are hard to overcome though: it's amazing how influential children can be and how strong their beliefs are forged.

Yeah the next time science is opening up it's palm, smile and ask, what was before the big bang, big boy. Then you can go and ponder religion again before some hick from the south or some freak muslim ruins that for you too.

Smellyman wrote:

“If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did."

-Jack handy

Jack Handy: best philosopher ever. Period.

I personally liked, "If you ever drop your keys in a river of molten lava... let 'em go. Because man, they're gone."