• Why do theists believe in a god?
• Why do most theists fight so hard to defend their beliefs?
My personal theory is this:
Most theists believe in a god because they fear living in a world that is without some sort of governing force behind their lives. When you really think about, reality is quite scary. You only have control over yourself, and everything else around you is out of your control. Someone could walk up to you and shoot you without warning, or a storm could come and destroy your house, or an asteroid could come and destroy the entire planet. Through religion (theism), you don’t have any reason to fear or have concern with the world around you because it is all under the control of a perfect deity who loves you. And no matter how much pain you and your family and friends may endure now, everything will have a happy ending in a perfect heaven, as long as you have faith in the deity. The more faith you have in the deity, the more it will protect you from the ”evils” of the world around you. It’s all very childish and annoying.
Even in the face of hard scientific theories and facts, most religionists refuse to bend or question their interpretations of our naturalistic world. And in all honesty, I don’t blame them. Why should they want to give up the perfect fantasy for a belief in a world without order, and the belief that a person’s life will eventually disappear from existence? This is why they fight so hard against atheism.
Transhumanism is both comforting and realistic. It combines Secular Humanism with a greater appreciation for science, medicine, and technology, the three things we will require a greater knowledge of for our survival in the future. Transhumanism is a complete package, all wrapped up in one word. Practically everything you need for a better now, and a better future can be found within the definition of this word.
Adherents of Transhumanism philosophy believe that:
1. Some (perhaps all) limitations of human nature are undesirable.
2. Science and technology, steered by human values, could enable us to transcend our limitations.
3. Transcending the current limitations of human nature will lead to remarkable reductions in human suffering and marvelous improvements in human freedom, happiness, and potential.
Unlike straight atheism and Secular Humanism, Transhumanism promotes the idea of “transcending our limitations” so that we -- our species -- may continue to survive for a very long time, if not forever. And, unlike religion, it puts all responsibility on the human race. If we want progress, it is all up to us, and not some magical deity that most likely does not exist. Transhumanism takes Secular Humanism to another level, and makes religion irrelevant.
What do you think?
Edited by SecularFuture, 29 May 2003 - 04:40 PM.