The Falsity of Religion: Twelve Indisputable Arguments

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The discussion centers on John "Birdman" Bryant's arguments against the validity of religion, asserting that it is scientifically false yet historically significant in human society. The dilemma presented is that while religion has been beneficial for survival, it requires belief to be useful, which contradicts its falsity. Bryant proposes that understanding the utility of religion could be beneficial, but emphasizes the need to dismantle religious beliefs first. Critics of this view argue that religion serves broader purposes beyond survival, such as fostering community, providing comfort, and offering moral guidance. They contend that the value of religion can exist independently of literal belief, highlighting the personal and subjective nature of faith. Ultimately, the discussion underscores the complexity of religion's role in individual lives and the importance of respecting diverse perspectives on belief systems.
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The following is from http://www.thebirdman.org/Index/Relig/Relig-Atheist.html

The Falsity of Religion: Twelve Indisputable Arguments

By John "Birdman" Bryant

Religion today hangs on the horns of a dilemma: On the one hand, it is false in the scientific sense, as we shall demonstrate below; but on the other hand, because religion in one form or another has been around as long as recorded history -- and in fact has played a central role in man's social and personal life -- it is almost certain that religion is useful in the sense that it has helped men to survive. The real dilemma of religion, however, is that it must be believed in order to be useful, yet this is impossible when people know that it is false.

The obvious solution to this dilemma -- if indeed there is a solution -- is to discover what is useful about religion, and to try to make use of this knowledge. This I have attempted to do in my book The Most Powerful Idea Ever Discovered. But we will be stymied in our attempt to accomplish this task -- or at least to bring it to fruition in the sense of teaching others -- if we do not first and finally sweep away the foolishness of religious belief by making a plain and clear statement as to religion's literal falsity. Accordingly, we cite below what we view as twelve compelling reasons why a rational person must regard religion as false.

Complete article is at http://www.thebirdman.org/Index/Relig/Relig-Atheist.html
 
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While the author presents a well-reasoned argument for the falsity of religion, it is important to note that this is just one perspective. Religion and belief in a higher power is a deeply personal and subjective experience for many people, and cannot be reduced to a simple set of arguments. Additionally, the author's assertion that religion is only useful because it has helped people to survive is a narrow and reductionist view. Religion serves many purposes in people's lives, including providing a sense of community, comfort, and guidance. It is not solely about survival. Furthermore, the idea that religion must be believed in order to be useful is also flawed. Many people find value in the moral teachings and principles of religion, even if they do not believe in a literal interpretation of religious texts. In the end, it is up to each individual to determine the role and importance of religion in their own life, and it is not for others to invalidate their beliefs.
 
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