by I.M.

Created on: June 20, 2008

To say that we are better off without religion is a preposterous statement in various ways. The definition of the word "religion" itself is broad, encompassing the worship of the supernatural and personal values in the same. The broadest definition from Merriam-Webster defines religion as being a "cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith." Without this type of religion, civilization itself would not exist. If one believes in and upholds the constitution of the United States, it must be because of a belief in certain "unalienable Rights" and equality. And these beliefs are held to with ardor and faith. Civilization began with religion, and we will undoubtedly continue to harbor religion in one form or another until the end of civilization.

At the dawn of civilization, monuments were erected to the gods on all continents where people began to form societies. It did not spread from one civilization to another, but rather, appeared simultaneously and independently of the others. It seems to be a perfectly rational thought that if any civilization could have flourished without a religion, they would have done so. However, it appears that there was no other way for a people to undertake the monumental task of forging a society and a culture, other than by sharing the same system of beliefs. Religion, therefore is the foundation of civilization, and all that has been achieved since.

Even our modern science is the product of religion. It is precisely the need to understand the world and to further knowledge that has driven humankind from the beginning of time. Religion - in the belief in the supernatural - was, and still is, a way of knowing and understanding; and just as with science, the ultimate goal of religion is truth. When we, as humans, are confronted with the limitation of knowledge, we will pursue what is within our means to understand or explain that limitation of knowledge, whether it be through natural phenomena, or superstition. Even the ability to question one's own existence is a mystical feat in itself, and in that, we are hardly different from our prehistoric ancestors. As long as philosophical questions exist, we will continue to adhere to different religions, whether they be institutions, or our own set of values - in the full context of the definition of religion - to address what we do not know. And there will always be philosophical issues, particularly concerned with the aspects of life in society, that are beyond knowing

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