Then you have the official atheists/anti-theists like Richard Dawkins who either end up reinventing religion or otherwise go down the pan like with Dawkins' super-intelligent conscious robot girlfriend.

I think there is a need for comfort and guidance that we have as kids, and those that are raised in religious households/communities grow up believing their religion is the source for that. Even those that find religion in later life, I believe, are looking for comfort and guidance that they have not found elsewhere in life.

So I disagree that religion is what people have a deep need for. They just find what they need there. And that perpetuates the myth.

For more context and reference, see : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%ABky%C5%8D_nisei
(Government's response)

The English article referenced by the Wikipedia page :
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20221227-79777/

People crave deeply to believe objectively untrue things. A purpose, a meaning. Being part of a plan and a greater whole. An agent of compassion and mercy and salvation. A validating peer group and a party.

It's a rich part of human experience and not usually harmful.

For me it's only a problem when children's fingers bleed. Or when they push up these fraudulent dipshits like Hegseth.

(Decriminalize drugs too)

Seems like an update, ideally per [[WP:RS]], is needed: "In December 2022, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare **considered drafting** new guidelines ..." [1] (**emphasis** added)

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%ABky%C5%8D_nisei#Government_responses

[[WP:RS]] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:RS

A convenience.

A hobby.

A guidance.

A consolation.

Not a human need.

Where do I say religious people are bad people?

I just mentioned the fact that religion is not a human need.

Don't put words on my keyboard I haven't typed.

It's absolutely insane how we allow people to exercise their right to freedom of religion in a way which takes that same exact right away from others.

But it’s not quite what the OP is saying so not sure if it’s something else

I have no choice but to respect other people's beliefs, as long as they're not hurting anyone. Even if they aren't my beliefs.

Scaring kids with hell is not okay, though. To be clear.

I sang in an Episcopal choir for several years. I was a cantor, I was a lector, despite being an atheist. Why? I found the experience to be beautiful: the music, the text, the building, the friends, and the message of love.

@weekendspy Yes, that's true.

#Esperanto #lang_eo

Mat.18:6 sed kiu igos fali unu el ĉi tiuj malgranduloj, kiuj kredas al mi, estus pli bone por tiu, se granda muelŝtono estus pendigita ĉirkaŭ lia kolo, kaj se li estus subakvigita en la profundon de la maro.

It absolutely isn’t a universal need. I personally never had it and as a little kid, I saw it as a massive hassle I was forced to observe by clearly lying adults.

@janvenetor @Netzblockierer @weekendspy

Forbidding piano music would stump humanity. Not all people like music. Banning dropping pianos on people would be proportional.

Finally some sense! .. sensei?

All religions are cults. They're just bigger.