I cannot believe that 'when the soul enters the body' is actually part of the abortion debate

[Hugh_Lebowski]

212. Religion/Faith has a lot of utility in a lot of people's lives

And I'm absolutely not hostile to individuals being religious, because I see this utility.

Faith and one's church community helping to get one thru hard times/fear/loss is a prime example.

It's also a guidebook of sorts to help parents teach their children what are a set of values I find (mostly) agreeable ... if you're doing it right at least. Kids don't come with a manual, and throughout the centuries, religious texts and teaching have in many ways provided them for parents. I see some value there.

Churches provide a space for the community to gather and socialize and create bonds.

It at least somewhat assuages the fear of death that we all live with.

I could list more positives, or a WHOLE bunch of things about the concept that I think are shite, but I'll spare ya.

Other than to say what I've already said, bottom-line, none of that soul/eternal afterlife stuff, the piece that really provides the 'hook' to get people in the door (damn near every religion has an 'eternal life' story of some sort) ... is true. It's the church's version of marketing, basically. Because humans in general fear death, we'd all want to live eternally, see our dead loved ones again someday, etc.

Religion basically provides a mechanism that allows us to THINK ... that none of us ever REALLY die. Powerful stuff, given that 'survival' is pretty damn instinctual

I get the allure, but I draw the line at making actual LAWS based on SOME people's ideas about supernatural fairy-tale creatures like Souls and Gods. Just really rubs me the wrong way, hence this thread.

Welcome to DU btw