Quote:
Originally Posted by DiscoDan  I understand that atheism is generally considered to be the "religion of the educated", so perhaps it is my low level of education that prevents me from understanding your statement. How exactly would a church espousing literature from the Lord of the Rings provide society with the same level of utility as a church believing in a personal god, but advocating relentless nonviolence? |
Pardon me for putting in my 2 cents, Radical, to this question addressed to you. "Lord of the Rings" and "The Holy Bible" are both works of fiction, made up by people. To base a discipline of worship on either is equivalent -- there are moral guidelines that could be discerned from LoR, just as there are in ThB. Therefore, you could say they would both be useful -- for social order, moral imperative, friendly gathering, comfort -- whatever. If a LoR follower came to you proselytizing about how you are required to recognize his mighty power or be doomed to burn in hell forever, you would rightly consider him to be delusional. Christian god -- same thing!