Theistic beliefs are a terrible way to determine what is true, especially when theism is not only simultaneously used to justify harm (bigotry, supremacy, exploitation), but also unnecessary for achieving caring about justice (rights, environmental conservation, veganism, anti-capitalism, etc.).
Do some theists end up doing and believing progressive and beneficial things? Yes, but a house built on a weak foundation can fall apart much more easily than one built on a solid one. You should do good in the world because that is the kind of person you want to be, not because of a (very likely untrue) belief you adopted that cannot be falsified.
but a house built on a weak foundation can fall apart much more easily than one built on a solid one
I’d say it’s pretty bleedin’ obvious that the house with the strongest foundation is the world’s oldest living cultural group: Aboriginal Australians. Obviously, belief in the Rainbow Serpent has greatly benefitted their ancient nations. They preserved knowledge of the sea level rise at the end of the ice age through 10,000 years, that’s the best history-keeping in the world. I’d say Aboriginal religions are carefully calibrated machines of political technology, creating good societies through social engineering.
The results speak for themselves: Believing in the Rainbow Serpent is the right thing to do, because it makes the world a better place. So I believe.
I just feel like taking this stance a little too hard makes philosophy = bad. There is a difference when beliefs conflict with being just, I agree. But good religion is built on deep conviction, in my mind, and approaches a sort of chicken-or-the-egg relationship with truly righteous acts.
Theistic beliefs are a terrible way to determine what is true, especially when theism is not only simultaneously used to justify harm (bigotry, supremacy, exploitation), but also unnecessary for achieving caring about justice (rights, environmental conservation, veganism, anti-capitalism, etc.).
Do some theists end up doing and believing progressive and beneficial things? Yes, but a house built on a weak foundation can fall apart much more easily than one built on a solid one. You should do good in the world because that is the kind of person you want to be, not because of a (very likely untrue) belief you adopted that cannot be falsified.
I’d say it’s pretty bleedin’ obvious that the house with the strongest foundation is the world’s oldest living cultural group: Aboriginal Australians. Obviously, belief in the Rainbow Serpent has greatly benefitted their ancient nations. They preserved knowledge of the sea level rise at the end of the ice age through 10,000 years, that’s the best history-keeping in the world. I’d say Aboriginal religions are carefully calibrated machines of political technology, creating good societies through social engineering.
The results speak for themselves: Believing in the Rainbow Serpent is the right thing to do, because it makes the world a better place. So I believe.
I just feel like taking this stance a little too hard makes philosophy = bad. There is a difference when beliefs conflict with being just, I agree. But good religion is built on deep conviction, in my mind, and approaches a sort of chicken-or-the-egg relationship with truly righteous acts.