I think some people who oppose religion view it that way, but I would be surprised if there was a substantial contingent of people who are themselves atheists, but nevertheless view religion as a valuable tool to control the masses.
I can imagine maybe a small number of high-level US Republican strategists thinking that way. But not any large number of people.
I’m not so sure anymore. There are lots of these social lies/delusions. I’m increasingly wondering if the world isn’t full of con men, sniggering up their sleeves at me when I take their insane dogmas as earnest expressions of what they believe.
Maybe they’re not insane. Maybe I’m just too credulous.
It’s certainly one of the strong, competing ideologies.
And there have got to be plenty of conscious cons, just because it would be so lucrative. But there seems to be very intense commitment in the rank and file.
When I told my first family that we’re not going to baptise our son and we’ll raise him atheist (and implicated the same for any future children), my father asked: then how will you teach him morals, what is good and bad? Only religion can do that!
Note how in the context of a church, with adults bringing their children, even if you primarily intend the Noble Lie for your children, you can hardly fail to notice that they’re are some adults just as credulous as the children. Likely you’ll think that the Noble Lie Show is a good thing for those credulous adults as well.
And isn’t that kind of the point of a faith community? To reinforce each other’s faith?
Drill that kind of thinking in them when they’re young, so it will stick when they’re older. Santa/Jesus are pretty well interchangeable for children.
He sees you when you’re sleeping He knows when you’re awake He knows if you’ve been bad or good So be good, for goodness sake
You better watch out You better not cry You better not pout I’m telling you why Santa Claus is coming, to town
I don’t think it’s just a strange coincidence that Santa leaves a lump of coal in your stocking.
I think some people who oppose religion view it that way, but I would be surprised if there was a substantial contingent of people who are themselves atheists, but nevertheless view religion as a valuable tool to control the masses.
I can imagine maybe a small number of high-level US Republican strategists thinking that way. But not any large number of people.
I’m not so sure anymore. There are lots of these social lies/delusions. I’m increasingly wondering if the world isn’t full of con men, sniggering up their sleeves at me when I take their insane dogmas as earnest expressions of what they believe.
Maybe they’re not insane. Maybe I’m just too credulous.
Yes, but these days the con to push isn’t religion but “social justice”.
It’s certainly one of the strong, competing ideologies.
And there have got to be plenty of conscious cons, just because it would be so lucrative. But there seems to be very intense commitment in the rank and file.
Hanlon’s Razor.
I wouldn’t call it malice.
Social creatures lie for advantage.
Davis’ Razor:
When I told my first family that we’re not going to baptise our son and we’ll raise him atheist (and implicated the same for any future children), my father asked: then how will you teach him morals, what is good and bad? Only religion can do that!
Note how in the context of a church, with adults bringing their children, even if you primarily intend the Noble Lie for your children, you can hardly fail to notice that they’re are some adults just as credulous as the children. Likely you’ll think that the Noble Lie Show is a good thing for those credulous adults as well.
And isn’t that kind of the point of a faith community? To reinforce each other’s faith?
Drill that kind of thinking in them when they’re young, so it will stick when they’re older. Santa/Jesus are pretty well interchangeable for children.
He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good, for goodness sake
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming, to town
I don’t think it’s just a strange coincidence that Santa leaves a lump of coal in your stocking.