Excellent video. I used to call myself a "new atheist" a decade ago. Looking back, what alleviated my existential pangs were ideological narratives which were substantially no different from religious mythology. I believed in the myth that scientific progress is inherently good, and that the light of science would dispel the age-old slumber and delusion caused by the religions. We even had our own prophets (Dawkins, Hitchens, et al.) and scripture (The Skeptic's Dictionary by Randi, Shermer, etc.). I'm really glad to be out of that box now.

I love this channel this is the best quality philosophy on youtube, even better than famous "the school of life" Great job

I am often full with Skepticism watching these videos... cuz its very very very uncommon to find someone who shares the ideas i have. THX another superb video.

Still coming here 9 years later, and it still hits. Cheers

Lovely video! So full of insights, like always!

You have managed to say something I have been trying to say for several decades but have failed to say as well as you say it. During my lifetime (born 1944), definitions of “religion” have been promoted by people with an agenda, usually the desire to impose their ideas about the universe on everybody else. A perusal of English-language literature from before the eighteenth century, however, suggests a broader understanding and usage of the word. The definition I have been using for most of my life is, the sum of those beliefs, practices and prohibitions that pertain to a person’s understanding of the highest powers of the universe. I got the impression that my parents religion was one thing; their denominational affiliation was another. I got the impression that they saw the organization of which they were members, not as a religion but as an association of people who considered themselves called to a specific emphasis or emphases among the many ideas about morality, which religious practices are appropriate and which are not, and what religious prohibitions to adopt for ourselves. My parents emphasis on personal religion, however, led them to very different conclusions about whether or how to impose those religious prohibitions on others. Whereas a small but vocal minority in western society (in North America, I think it may be about 15 %) advocate the use of discrimination, intimidation, coercion or civil laws to impose their religious prohibitions on everybody else, my parents eschewed the use of those methods in favor of encouraging people to consider the evidence (see Hebrews 1:1) of a spiritual dimension in the universe. My parents are now deceased but they seem to have been a minority even among the members of their own denomination. There is evidence that the people who created that organization were dedicated to promoting personal (in contrast to institutional) religion. But there also seems to be a universal tendency for religious organizations to devolve into hierarchy, creedalism and dogmatism. If anyone reading my lament has ideas about how to use organization to encourage people AND minimize dogmatism at the same time, PLEASE share those ideas with us.

Thank you so much for making this video. A lot of points were cleared. It's a shame that people like you aren't the ones leading the contemporary debates over religion.

This guy always teaches me something profound.

Yes it is.

Your videos help me remind myself to stay on track! Thank you!

Very good presentation. You just earned another subscriber.

“Yesterday we obeyed kings and leaders and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to truth, follow only beauty, and obey only love and the need of money”

Religion is a set of beliefs based on faith. I read that one recently and I like it's simplicity.

This channel is absolutely brilliant.

What's hidden in the flowery language of religious mythology is most coherently understood to the western mind in the language of depth psychology. I would say most clearly in the work of CG Jung.

Outstanding work.

I like your videos. I'm gonna do a little project with the data you provide through Patreon. I'll show you when it gains form.

Great writing

How is fear defined in religion, is where a projection of yours has stopped; looking for the character of a situation! Stable mind, stable future is endemic for the rise of pain! A pain of multiple character. Just definitions! Good work, studious . . . Helping a character I am! If you do not understand ignore this!

Awesome job!!!! Thank you!!

To thy own self be true.

For what I understand is that humans created religion. Now that I am older I see religion as a way to control others. I feel that there's a universal, creative Force of the universe. For all my life of being "religious" has shown me that those religious leaders are racist, bigots, and mostly think of their benefits. It's a man idea with the intention to bring changes for the "good" of mankind, but failed to make those changes because of their lack of understanding of the human behavior. We each have a whole different mind, feelings and emotions. These religious leaders are more for themselves like every human being is. Their desire is to maintain a group loyal to them and their institutions. That's why they have failed to bring changes to humanity in a positive way. Now that we are able to get more knowledge on the subject people are beginning to leave their congregations and find a life of their own. I am one of those. No more lies and control. One need to look at the planet's history and what is being going on for centuries with their control and power. Abuses and crimes against humanity.

When I am sleeping like a dead man, who is the being that creates the wonder of dream ? God is in us, the author of our dream. Our job then is to dream big and not worry about how things happens. Worry is a misuse of imagination. Imagination is even more important than knowledge. Knowledge is power; the devil it is.

this made me think of the conversation between Sam Harris and Jordan Peterson, Sam seems insistent that science can answer existential questions and Jordan had a hard time articulating his justified objection to that stance

Thanks for posting this interesting video!

i Love this pleasure of knowledge .

Excellent!

Are you from Canada? Awesome videos. New subscriber :)

Religion may give soothing answers to questions both science and our minds cannot. We have an innate feeling of eternal justice. If this world is unjust and now that there is no cure for this because of egocentric human nature, what would comfort our souls against such injustices? So comes religion.

Religion is a cultural system of behaviors and practices, world views, sacred texts, holy places, ethics, and societal organisation that relate humanity to what an anthropologist has called "an order of existence". Different religions may or may not contain various elements, ranging from the "divine", "sacred things", "faith", a "supernatural being or supernatural beings" or "...some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that will provide norms and power for the rest of life." Religious practices may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of God or deities), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture. Religions have sacred histories and narratives, which may be preserved in sacred scriptures, and symbols and holy places, that aim mostly to give a meaning to life. Religions may contain symbolic stories, which are sometimes said by followers to be true, that have the side purpose of explaining the origin of life, the Universe, and other things. Traditionally, faith, in addition to reason, has been considered a source of religious beliefs. There are an estimated 10,000 distinct religions worldwide. About 84% of the world's population is affiliated with one of the five largest religions, namely Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or forms of folk religion. With the onset of the modernization of and the scientific revolution in the western world, some aspects of religion have cumulatively been criticized. Though the religiously unaffiliated, including atheism (the rejection of belief in the existence of deities) and agnosticism (the belief that the truth of certain claims - especially metaphysical and religious claims such as whether God, the divine or the supernatural exist - are unknown and perhaps unknowable), have grown globally, many of the unaffiliated still have various religious beliefs. About 16% of the world's population is religiously unaffiliated. The study of religion encompasses a wide variety of academic disciplines, including theology, comparative religion and social scientific studies. Theories of religion offer various explanations for the origins and workings of religion.

He’s got such a soothing voice

Nagbasa kag comments para mangitag answer sa? Wa yot. HUMSS B2. Anyway, thank you for this wonderful video!

Nice video. Where did you get your definition of "atheism." I'm finding that there are multiple definitions popping up these days...

Thank You

Now I understand JP!

Atheism is more like the absence of the belief in a way. People don't exactly try to be atheist, they kinda just are

Here is one for you: Religion => Re-legion You have entered into a second Legion, not being 100% loyal or faithful to your Creator.

What is dharma or religion ? Answer is there are some of the fundamentals about dharma… (A) First, dharma is the natural characteristic or inherent value of something. The dharma of fire is to burn and the dharma of a bird is to fly. (B) Second, the yogis say that human dharma is based on expansion (vistara), flow of mind (rasa), and service (seva). Vistara means expanding our psychic boundaries to include one and all; rasa means keeping steadiness of mind; and seva means caring for and serving others. (C) Another way of describing human dharma lies in the 10 characteristics of dharma: 1. Dhrti (patience) 2. Ks’ama (forgiveness) 3. Dhama (self-control) 4. Asteya (non-stealing) 5. Shaoca (cleanliness) 6. Indriyanigraha (control over organs) 7. Dhii (benevolent intellect) 8. Vidya’ (spiritual knowledge) 9. Satyam (benevolent truthfulness) 10. Akrodha (non-anger) Certainly, each of the above points is a discussion unto itself. As we all have a general understanding of what these points are, suffice to say here that the more we adhere to these tenets, the greater we are following our manava dharma, or human dharma.

Religio literally means "re-link." The personal aspect is relinking one's mind and body, or relinking one's actions to the mental paradigm of reality. That anxiety you mention is the passion (pathos) of our suffering as living beings. Logos is the mental paradigm, logically refined into symbolic systems of words. Ethos is the standard of integrity in your actions, judged by the mental paradigm, and this gives a person one's reputation. Do you live according to your word? Do you speak with integrity? That is the personal aspect. The social aspect becomes the communal narrative, a communal standard by which the community judges the integrity of our personal actions in view of the communal code. Therefore, my definition is "the relationship you have with the story your tell yourself." "One" is a single person, a couple, a family, band, tribe, cult, political party...etc. Atheism is still a religion in this definition as is Agnosticism, and political unity and power is also religion. Urban lifestyle first began in temple networks that became city-states. Kingship came from on high, according to Mesopotamian myth, and this means that the priest-kings supported warrior kings to protect the pilgrimage/trade routes that fed the temple complexes. Religion was the first political system. Separation of Church and State is a misnomer, as if it was going to be any different. "...same as the old boss!"

"Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool." Mark Twain

Atheism - rejection of the belief in a deity? No. It's more like a lack of belief. There's no active rejection taking place. That would be called "anti-theism." Anti-theism and atheism are not the same.

an orderly collection of concepts to allow the infinite nature of spirituality to fit the limited needs and understanding of mankind

Science is about things that can be weighed, measured, analyzed and observed. Religion is about belief in things that can't be weighed, measured, analyzed, or observed. Never the twain shall meet.

Religion is the belief and acceptance of 'someone' or 'something' and following their teaching and rules. This definition is better because nowadays there is a lot of things that are actually religion even though they say otherwise.

Shout out po sir rule

Religion comes from word : "re-ligare" which means "to bind". To bind humans with supernatural being (God).

perfect

I agree.

As a person who was raised as an Atheist, I am quite sure religious belief is nothing more than the extended phenotype of our gene expression. We have evolved parts of our brains that foster religious belief in all forms. In our earliest beginnings it served as a way for early humans to come together in social structures that in turn increased the likelihood of our group survival and propagation of genes that were selected over time to where we see ourselves today. Unfortunately in modern times we no longer need this behavior and in fact it has enabled a small group of people control large groups of people for nefarious agendas. Unless we as a society "unfuck ourselves" religion will continue to destroy us.

Religion : re ligare. Ligare means to tie, chain, bind something together. What binds us togheter? Or a society? The way we think, and act. So by that definition the way we judge. In arabic religions means deen. But deen also means judgment. So we all have relgion because we all judge even atheists.

theology vs metaphysics

this is goin to bring a new "enlightenment"

I understand here,better than my 101 phylosophy

I think scientism is the dominating religion now.

I don't think it's fair to put blanket statements on why people choose religious lifestyles, when 10 randomly selected people who follow these lifestyles, especially in our age of critical thinking, will give 10 different answers as to why they have chosen religion. For me, religion helps me to answer the question of "who am I?" by bringing me closer to the day to day practices of my ancestors. I say the same prayers and follow the same rituals that my ancestors have for over 1300 years, and Sunday mornings are a time of personal inflection when I bring my consciousness back to how my ancestors would have wanted me to live. Some people like me do it for philosophical reasons, other look for other existential meanings, some for social reasons, some for family relations, and in the present day I've seen many people my age turn to religion in reaction to far-left social movements and a desire to conserve what always has been.

Religion = “reli”ef + le”gion”, The legion of relief

Humankind is materialized color operating on the 49th vibration... You'd make that connection walking down the street or going to the store. W.I.N.C.

this was back when academy was smoking a pack a day

Buddhism isn't a religion though...

Very well established view. Can be augmented with a little bit push about how belief, faith is different than religion and as you expressed here with quote of Dostoyevski, religion is mostly about masses it can not function properly just being inside of an individual, human interactions are its liferoot The legal philosopher Ronald Dworkin believed the religions real purpose is to become a law system instead of becoming a shell for personal beliefs and emotions. He believed American legal system, if properly realigned, can be a godless religion to comfort us. I disagree with him about separating religion from God but the point he directed seems legit expecially for Islam in my opinion. A religion has all the powers and means to establish indispensable law system much better than any government because religions' purpose was easing the life of all who believes in itself, while governments real interest is to keep their governance intact. There is a war between religion and others but those others are not atheists or other religions, they are institutions and governments. Any government and institution will have to have a dispute with religion sooner or later. Being law itself is the only way to restrain governments from being destructive to their citizens and themselves without need of real bloodshed

Religion uses reason and intellect as philosophy does

Existence itself is the answer. Not Religion.

I would not consider anything to be a religion unless it specifically includes a complete and coherent understanding of reality. That is almost the only defining property i would use.

Academy of ideas do you know Jiddu Krishnamurti?

language is culture. all wisdom depends on definition

RELIGION ( to me at least ) IS REVERENT GRATITUDE TO "THE CREATOR" FOR CREATING THE GIFT OF LIFE

Once you overcome the fear of death and make peace with it, then there's absolutely no need for the existential questions. You can make sense of the universe by looking to science for answers to many of the questions. But rather than do all of that, find ways to expand personal freedoms--recognizing that organized religion carries with it stern attempts to remove personal freedoms.

My neighbour's name is Allan and I've been told he is the sustainer of the Heavens. I must admit to being a little sceptical as ive only seen him sustaining his garden.

The debate about RELIGION and man's need of it to "LIVE", refers to the "HARMONY" that is needed for ease of existence. The dismantling of such notion, is what the Egyptian Pharoah foresaw, after those detained to prevented them from overtaking the continent, gave up and wanted out 'o there with "I don't get mad, I get even in mind". The confusion that is so widespread today was orchestrated "AFTER THE EXODUS" with the theatrical PRODUCTION of "The GARDEN OF EDEN", it marked a SEVERANCE from the GOD that was THE THEME OF STUDY AND CONTEMPLATION of the Egyptian "SCHOOLS OF HIGHER LEARNING" (the UPDATED "TEACHINGS" are geared at "REPAIRING THAT SEVERANCE"). The narrations that begins right AFTER EGYPT, introduced "GOD IN HEAVEN" suggesting that being an INDIVIDUAL IN OUTERSPACE", the "PLAY BY PLAY" of THAT narration is at the center of HUMANITIES mental mayhem, as in "How can "A LOVING ALMIGHTY BEING BE ENVOLVED IN SUCH HATEFUL ATROCITIES", then they copied PROVERBS, PROFOUND PRAYERS (PSALMS) and others that was the Egyptian Reign's daily occupations, along with "THE CREATOR'S MOUTHPIECE" "THE MESSIAH", to call it "GOD'S WORD". When it was all written and edited by man with nefarious intent. The trick used was including the mental make-up of "their" being, talking about "A" "FALLEN ANGEL", a RED CREATURE. As God was "INDIVIDUALIZED", so was that "Red Creature" later known as Satan. In those writings He even announced "His" intention to end up taking over the reign of "THE GOD OF EGYPT". He DID, for the most part, by quite a few folks still uplifting "The Chosen", even though their ATROCITIES goes on till this day, even by Proxy. The debate is perpetated by the misguidance of "The Church" and the clones of the "Red" being that cleverly indoctrined His conquered to view them as "WHITE", even between a snow-white hair an shirt. A mothers/fathers mental constant transmit to the fetus, the offspring's inherits such transmition. Science tries to figure it all out, under influential promptings.

I think "not religious" is better than "atheist". We are all born "not religious". Religion is something we learn, like language, but language comes first. One cannot discuss the divine without language.

can i know your name? Academy of ideas

Who else is forced to watch this because of your teacher 🙋‍♀️

Broo. Where can i get the transcription of this videoo?

Once you are free from all religions then you can be religious” -sinkiy

[1 million spelling mistakes, apologies, will correct later] So to conclude Religion = 1. A fouca on something beleived to be "all important" the focus on which provides meaning/answeres that neutralise the fear if death, meaning of life and the way one should live. The "all important" subject which envikes a strong emotion (due to answering fundamental queations which the lack of creates fearcand uncerteanrly in every area if ones life. A mans religioun is the prinicple experience, beleife, idea that providea meaning to his life. Dominant rwligions provide the most meaning to the greatest group ofcpeople requiring the least resistance in the population to worshop.

This is true

The First known depiction of Je-'SUS' Crucifixion depicts him as a HORSE being crucified, it was found in Rome.

There are deities in Buddhism though?

Labyu sir rule

I came here because of my teacher

What.. no transcript?? :

Religion : belief system or outdated opinions. Adopted or passed down.

Men must worship something it is in our nature. We also also have a sense of eternity and therefore death is something wrong or incomplete. What is our life? This is why we search something more perfect. Our conscience also speaks to us of right, wrong and justice. We seek God because we are created by God for relationship with him through Jesus.

Religion: an inspiring product of human mind....

You made no mention of ideas about the nature of religion from non European world views, as if only the European view is the one of any validity. European does not have a monopoly on the contribution to human thought and production of philosophers and intellectuals who have pondered about the nature on the world. The symbol in my avatar is that of the Akan religion . I doubt if you know what it is or were it's from. Because it's not Western so it's irrelevant. By the way what you said about Buddhism was a mistake westerners of often make. Despite my objections I did however enjoy you talk.

w-wait, why does the guy sound sorta like Jordan Peterson?

Thou art God.

My PHIL-135 class brought me here. lol

There is no 'certainty' whatsoever in life except that it is temporary at the present state of medical science.

Science and religion should come to the same conclusions, since both search for truth. If this is not the case, lies or mistakes are prevalent in either one, or in both. It is clear, that a lot of mathematics is and was used in Creation.

Subtitles please

Many atheists I personally know are among the most religious people I have met.

THE BUDDHISM THAT CAME FROM THE BUDDHA WAS NOT A RELIGION BUT A PHILOSOPHY. MUCH LATER "OTHERS" USED THE WAYS OF THE BUDDHA TO FORM THEIR OWN RELIGIONS.

It's an insidious evil, in case you haven't noticed. RIP, Thom Jefferson.

Thank you for the interesting video as always. I just have to underline that Buddhism is not a religion (as it is mistakenly believed) but a philosophical system.

The most important part of this video is the bullet point @ 7:55 "What is the proper way of living this life?" Most if not all religions are systems of control. They have precepts that must be obeyed by the adherents of the religion. If the precepts are obeyed, the adherent will be rewarded, and if the precepts are not obeyed, the adherent will receive punishment. Some form of authority needs to be invoked in order to convince the adherent to obey. This authority can be a god that has supernatural powers, or a human who ultimately becomes united with the supernatural, thus gaining supernatural status. Bottom Line: Religion is a way of controlling human behavior, and convincing them to give money to the religious order on a regular basis. It's all about the Benjamins, baby. But it's mostly about controlling behavior -- the money just makes their task worth doing. Religion also plays a large roll in preserving the status quo, which tends to lead to a stagnant social order, and eventually to a sick and maladjusted society. Religion is also largely responsible for the contempt with which we view other humans (humans in groups other than our groups, i.e., "them"). Religion tends to keep groups apart rather than bringing them together, and major problems need most groups acting together, not fighting among one another.

Think about the question that was asked at 6:35. Does that sound vaguely familiar with what's been going on over the past 2 years, and how they're trying to control everybody with fear. Actually it's not even "TRYING" anymore, it's "doing" at this point and people are letting it happen with such ease to themselves. People are acting like every single thing that happens, can, and will result in their death on the spot. I've always wondered what's the point of living if you're already acting like you're dead. I never even thought that until all this bs began.

If the science of consumerism continues to grow and be so widley consumed those ideas and all original thought may be destroyed!

Seems incorrect to me that everyone has a fear of death and so seeks comfort in religion. Death has never been something I have feared. It would have been an inconvenience when I was busy with a task, and a hardship for the loved ones surviving. For me religion provides the structure to understand life which is much more than what our senses tell us. Now in my old age I look back and marvel at the miracles we thought were hardships that all played key roles in bringing my wife and I to who we are today. We are quite content. We believe in that which is excellent and worthy of praise and that works. We believe a new and more exciting existence is in store for us after this one is done. As a matter of fact I have given the Powers That Be a request that we be allowed to live in a cabin in the woods near a lake and stream while we acclimatize ourselves to the next life - given that that was the dream home that escaped us in this one Are we nuts? Possibly. We choose to believe something that is fantastic and gives us hope. If we are wrong we will never know. How can we lose?

I refuse to be classed as atheist, nor agnostic or religious. Can I please be left out of this categorisation? I seek to understand and accept I wont. Not gnostic either. People might invent their little stereotypes and gods and philosophies. But how should they be able to class others by their own unproven realities?