I would say that, as the electric stove replaces the campfire, the scientific method replaces religion.

Those who look to religion for answers are looking backward. There's a new sheriff in town.

What do you think?

Maybe for some. There are many that just want comforting answers. They don't want to study, or think. They would prefer that others do that sort of thing, and report back.

If they're inclined to religion, they will go that way. It's a comfort issue for them. Not to mention family traditions, and all of the emotional psychological dances involved.

because it still serves the purpose for which it was created--i.e., to acquire and maintain power and wealth. It's losing effectiveness but still working pretty well, I think.

Certainly people don't need religion anymore, but that situation has been true for quite some time. I expect that it will take quite a few more generations before religion is considered obsolete.

donbagley Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would say that, as the electric stove replaces
> the campfire, the scientific method replaces
> religion.
>
> Those who look to religion for answers are looking
> backward. There's a new sheriff in town.
>
> What do you think?

I suppose that theistic religion will one day decline,
after Islam goes through its inevitable reformation(s).
Maybe in about 10,000 years.

I doubt that atheistic religion will die out, however.
Movements like Buddhism and Unitarian-Universalism may
evolve and eventually be replaced by something else,
but I can't imagine that their sense of community and
shared "spiritual" (whatever that may mean) experience
will simply disappear from the human species.

UD

It helps keep the bears, wolves, and demons back into the dark when you are completely vulnerable in the wilderness.

Snuggling up into your sleeping bag, your tent won't be disturbed because of the raging fire whose smoke blots out the stars.

My view?
No. Never.
Consider that the majority of the world participates in some religion - most much older than Christianity, for instance. It's intertwined with their culture, holidays, etc. There is a long history of religion throughout the world.