Loss of religion - does it mean loss of father figure and ethics?

Question: Loss of religion - does it mean loss of father figure and ethics!?

Do you agree!? (it seems to me that, up to a point, religion is about moral values and a code of good vs bad behavior, though some portions of it are no longer valid, as times do change)

Here's the quote this reflection is based on:

'Without the solid authoritarianism of religion's grand narrative, individuals, incredibly alienated into a self-reflexive solipsism, are catapulted into a hermeneutic no-man's land, stripped of identifying referential indicators and devoid of the appropriate apparatus for making consistent ethical choices!. At heart the crisis of faith is articulated as a loss of the father-figure [!.!.!.]'
(Daniel Lea - 'Graham Swift')

After all, Sigmund Freud himself made this observation, that religious faith and the way we see God is based on our experience with our fathers, which shapes the way we see authority and the way our superego is structured!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Dear Analyst ,

Let me define religion before I answer your point!.

Assume that you are giving birth to you a child!. That child is your child!. Assume yourself to be god here!.

The child when it is born doesn’t wear anything!. They don’t know how to eat or how to walk or how to do anything!.

We start teaching them everything and then finally they become intelligent intelligence!. However till them posses all the knowledge, they are still innocent and keep doing mistakes!.

The teachings you give to the child to enlighten the child is Religion!.

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At the very outset we should first clear our minds that religion is not man made scripts!. Religion is god made!. He gave us set of rules to live!. Depending on different places, different times he gave us several verses!.

Through his verses he has given us like a theorem the purpose of our living and what our ultimate goal is!. He has also created a materialist world like toys for us to play!. We can be children paying around with toys and fighting with each other!. But if we want to be matured, we need to read those scriptures understand the quintessence / inner meaning of the subject and follow them!.

We might take up specialized subjects in our higher education; however we are given basic education in our primary school!. This primary education becomes the culture derived from these scriptures!.

A person developing without the religion and culture becomes like a Tarzan / orphan who don’t know what to do in life!. He also becomes dangerous to the society!.

Hence we can say “At heart the crisis of faith is articulated as a loss of the father-figure”!.

Did I answer you or confuse you… if you need further clarification, please feel free to ask!.

With love
GentlemanWww@QuestionHome@Com

It seems possible!. Too me, religions primary function is to instill moral values into people!. Some people see this as "controlling the masses", but to them I pose this question!.

Would you rather the masses go uncontrolled and run rampant, destroying all individual progress so that their is no global progress!? Though, arguably, this controlling could be what stopped our evolution!.

Then again, evolution is the fruit of necessity!. We haven't evolved further, because we no longer need to!. Because of religion!?

-AgnosticWww@QuestionHome@Com

To me!. religion is a delusion as Tom Lukas said "stop praying start doing" I agree!. to me realign to a backbone for people who don't want to comment into doing anything!. the thing is, religion is an excuse to get out of something!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Most often than not!.!. it is!. It is FAITH in someone DIVINE/ ALMIGHTY that somehow keeps us to abide by the rules!.!.!. the commandments that is!. And despite our imperfections, it is still Faith In GOD that will always lead us back home!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

very very interesting analysis, but I don't see your point about ethics!.

No wonder many faiths were based on worshiping ancestors!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I agree that to some extent religion can instill good morals!. But so many wars are started by religion or faith, even within the same religion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, after my son passed away in January of this year!.!.!.I gave up on God and religion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yesWww@QuestionHome@Com

Such a claim presumes that people are not capable of acting morally or ethically without religion!. This is a completely false idea!. Having a particular moral compass has more to do with being part of a society than believing in a particular religion!.

I know that as an atheist, I firmly believe that it is wrong to steal, cheat, murder, rape, lie, etc!. Mainly because these acts cause harm to others and I believe that is is absolutely wrong to harm others unless they pose a specific and imminent threat to the well being of myself or others!.

EDIT
I don't understand why people presume the masses would act in an immoral and/or destructive fashion without religion!. The reality is that most people left to their own devices are going to act in their best interests!. Even without religion, the average person know that you do best to treat others well!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

True, the relationship individuals experienced at the hands of their all too human and mortal parents, themselves victims or products of their own upbringing, shapes the thinking and outlook of descendants!.

Think not of religion as an authoritarian Pater Figure, but rather as a ideology for the as yet immature and unenlightened to seek and find their way to the truth, love and liberty that enables man to live rather than simply and merely exist!.

Crisis of faith is rather a loss of truth and reliance than loss of father figure!. Understanding the weaknesses, all too human frailties, and vulnerabilities of Father* casts us into his realm and we become as he!. If not perfect, then at least as one in his pain, suffering and joy, in itself a submission to HIS will!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I do not believe in the religions and yet I believe in the existance of a supernatural being we call God!. Both are irrelevant!. There is no evil or bad behavior in this world!. We perceive them as such!.!.but in reality they are "reactions" by human beings to different situations!. For example: Many men see a beautiful girl on the beach suntanning topless!. The majority's "reactions" are looking and perhaps wishing!. However one man goes further!.!.!.his "reaction" is over the top!.!.and chases the girl for the purposes of a sexual assault!. This is illegal and he is arrested However we perceive this man as "evil"!.!.where in actual fact he simply "'reacted" much worse than the other men who were watching!.Www@QuestionHome@Com