Do you believe; and why?

[CJD]

(05-08-2019, 03:36 PM)Lucidus Wrote: Thank you for the response. 

When we ask the question, "where did the universe come from" -- could it not be the case that the most reasonable answer, at least at this point tin time, be that we don't know. We have some very good naturalistic models -- with the Big Bang being the most prominent -- but in truth, none of us knows for sure. Perhaps our universe has always been. Perhaps it's a result of another universe or multi-verse. There are many ideas, explanations and theories, but in truth, the most honest seems to still be "we simply do not know." 

As to the bold, it would seem to me that we are still extremely prone to that, even with religious guidance. I think it could be fairly argued that religious doctrine has even contributed and escalated it in far too many situations.

Well, I think the bolded statement's biggest impact was back before the scientific age. When human society was in its infancy, and consequences for actions were the main driving force for how humans behaved, I would assume astral consequences were a great way to control people, or at the very least have them act civilly. I'm not here to say that religion as 100% moral, as I said previously. Religion has been used for quite a few horrible things, after all.

As for the whole where did the universe come from thing, I am not a scientist and I don't claim to be one. That was just the justification that I used as I was growing up. Like I said, I don't put too much stock in it, as religion is almost entirely based on faith, which is not something that is justifiable.