It's when it gets colder, and I'm alone, and decided to procrastinate that I start thinking. Not my usual thinking (which is usually along the lines of, 'my goodness, I would ever so love a moose on my wall'. I'm being serious here). But there are times that my love of Poe and Nabokov start seeping melancholy into my life, and I get philosophical. And I mean, really philosophical.
It doesn't help that mugs of lovely things and soft music enhances this state of mind. As does lack of sleep. And as I feel quite mentally depraved and rather unpoetical, I shall give you some writings and be on my way. (mind you, they are impartial observations not meant to offend anybody with skin of average thickness)
Of all practices employed by humanity, it is science, commerce and the arts that are constantly developing. It is a combination of these three aspects that defines the development and advancement of a society. The level of sophistication (and the most fashionable combination of each) is what humans use to determine the superiority of a culture or society, the development of others and as a ranking system to devise superiority (mostly percieved) to other cultures and previous generations, both where the advancement and/or combination of the three is lesser.
A girl in my college asked why religion still exists. Why, with all advancements in science and controversy in religious groups, does it still have sway in modern society.
Religion, like philosophy, is not vital to the survival of society as a whole, yet society still embraces religion as one of its foundations. The western law is based around the moral codes found in basically all religions. Love and treat others with the respect you think you deserve. Don't hurt others. Go through life being the best person you can be. You have responsibility over your own life, yet you can choose to put your faith in something you believe in. Of course, religion is more mulit-faceted than that, but western society has the basics, which, as most people will acknowledge, make for a more peaceful society.
But this embracement of moral codes still does not explain why people still hold to religion, though science and reasoning may be thrown at it again and again. It should be noted that religion is most definately not a western phenomenon. It is without the aid of the western world that isolated societies have found reason to believe in other-worldly beings. It is a craving inside each human to validate their existance. In such isolated societies, they base their existance around nature and the different spirits they feel around them. In a world of men, imperfection is everywhere, and to believe religion is an exception is a mighty arrogant act. When you take away the pretenses and form placed by men, religion (and more precisely, spirituality) is just a belief in something that gives meaning to ones life.
Just like science cannot prove or disprove the existance of the individual conscience, it cannot prove or discredit something that cannot be seen or touched, that is niether tactile nor aural, merely felt by the individual. But who is to say that what one feels is just a part of ones imagination? Who is to say that things that are only felt are not real? Instincts are merely felt, yet as part of human nature one knows to trust these. Who are men to say that religion cannot exist, soley on the basis that it is an outdated practice and that, because the belief of a higher power is wholly visceral?
Religion, like philosophy, is not vital to the survival of society as a whole, society has to power to build and destruct by itself, yet religion and philosophy are vital to the survival of the individual. It gives one something to believe, and therefore justifies and validates ones existance.
That is why (I believe) religion still exists today. That isn't to say that people haven't found other ways to subconsciously explain their existance. That is the wonder of humanity, it never stops looking for solutions and reason.
Side note, this is not thrusting religion onto anyone, I personally believe forcing ones beliefs onto another is a very rude thing to do. This is basically to put my mind at ease from answering what was a rhetorical question asked to nobody in particular. And I am feeling mighty deep right now. Run for cover!
So, after that mind-boggling bamboozle, go hunt some deer (or the native equivalent).
[The above image is a (tiny, tiny) section of an illustration I am working on at the moment. When I finish it I'll share.]
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