No, I’m not saying “Politics and religion both make you very loyal to untrustworthy groups, so they’re exactly as bad as each other”, I’m saying that politics is at least as bad as religion in this area, so that can’t be the reason you dislike the latter. It would help a lot if you stated your reasons, since apparently all of my guesses are wrong.
Look, it makes people think less straight.
Citation needed. All groups built around an ideology make people think less straight, and some parts of religion make that worse, especially the cultural norm against criticizing religious ideas. Is there anything about making groups feel sacredness that makes it worse? Does solitary religious practice make people think less straight at all?
Also, are you Algernon-lawing the effects on religion on people who think exceptionally straight in the first place, or are you claiming that they always outweigh the benefits of religion against anxiety, unhappiness, discouragement, etc.?
When others look at your cult and see it’s a cult and stay the hell away
I’m worried about turning into a cult, but not about looking more like a cult at constant actual cultishness. People not interested in investigating how conformist and closed-off we are can use the characteristics that are easy to eyeball, sure. Making the community less fun in order to making it grow faster in against the selfish interests of most members.
Yea, I was thinking of things like gathering together with telescopes and actually comprehending how fucking big is this place we are suspended in, which you apparently disqualify outright.
Something like that may qualify (I’ve never comprehended numbers greater than about twelve, let alone ten to the power thereof, so I wouldn’t know). Does it make you feel connected to something greater (I think stargazing in general does that) and serene and loving (of everything) and loved (by nothing in particular)?
Some works of art also qualify, some of which aren’t meant to be religious. But they seem to need additional religiousish behaviors to make you the right kind of rapt.
feel connected to something greater (I think stargazing in general does that) and serene and loving (of everything) and loved (by nothing in particular)
I am curious, are you suggesting (or do you think) that feeling this way, and experiences that make you feel this way, are a good thing?
That was just describing the emotion, but yes, I advocate it.
Pros: It feels several kinds of good. It improves mood afterwards, both directly (serenity, happiness) and indirectly (feeling loved improves self-esteem, feeling loving improves patience). It improves courage, motivation, and focus. It’s a short-term fix for anxiety (which works even on partial success). It increases aesthetic appreciation. It’s interesting, though most of the fun bits (like hallucinations) aren’t universal.
Cons: If you attribute it to an external source, it can give you wrong beliefs. If you practice it in a group, it’ll bind the group more than you might want. You might acquire some weird compulsions (I can’t write “G-d”, I occasionally have to stare at things). Some of the props might be expensive, depending on what works for you.
No, I’m not saying “Politics and religion both make you very loyal to untrustworthy groups, so they’re exactly as bad as each other”, I’m saying that politics is at least as bad as religion in this area, so that can’t be the reason you dislike the latter. It would help a lot if you stated your reasons, since apparently all of my guesses are wrong.
Citation needed. All groups built around an ideology make people think less straight, and some parts of religion make that worse, especially the cultural norm against criticizing religious ideas. Is there anything about making groups feel sacredness that makes it worse? Does solitary religious practice make people think less straight at all?
Also, are you Algernon-lawing the effects on religion on people who think exceptionally straight in the first place, or are you claiming that they always outweigh the benefits of religion against anxiety, unhappiness, discouragement, etc.?
I’m worried about turning into a cult, but not about looking more like a cult at constant actual cultishness. People not interested in investigating how conformist and closed-off we are can use the characteristics that are easy to eyeball, sure. Making the community less fun in order to making it grow faster in against the selfish interests of most members.
Something like that may qualify (I’ve never comprehended numbers greater than about twelve, let alone ten to the power thereof, so I wouldn’t know). Does it make you feel connected to something greater (I think stargazing in general does that) and serene and loving (of everything) and loved (by nothing in particular)?
Some works of art also qualify, some of which aren’t meant to be religious. But they seem to need additional religiousish behaviors to make you the right kind of rapt.
I am curious, are you suggesting (or do you think) that feeling this way, and experiences that make you feel this way, are a good thing?
That was just describing the emotion, but yes, I advocate it.
Pros: It feels several kinds of good. It improves mood afterwards, both directly (serenity, happiness) and indirectly (feeling loved improves self-esteem, feeling loving improves patience). It improves courage, motivation, and focus. It’s a short-term fix for anxiety (which works even on partial success). It increases aesthetic appreciation. It’s interesting, though most of the fun bits (like hallucinations) aren’t universal.
Cons: If you attribute it to an external source, it can give you wrong beliefs. If you practice it in a group, it’ll bind the group more than you might want. You might acquire some weird compulsions (I can’t write “G-d”, I occasionally have to stare at things). Some of the props might be expensive, depending on what works for you.