Humans Need Fantasy

metatron

The problem with making judgements about religion is that it is all too easy to dismiss the value of its ( usually) unsupported beliefs.

Guys like Dawkins and Hitchens extol the value of atheism - as if they could prove that a life without illusion is somehow "better".

Related to this, we may also think that objective facts should overcome True Believers simply upon their confirmation. Life just doesn't

work that way. Humans want and need fantasy like food and air. Perhaps the real comparision ought to be about the benefits of competing

illusions.

The above struck me when I read that a poll of engineering students cited "Scotty" as their inspiration!

http://www.zianet.com/ehusman/weblog/2005/07/more-power-we-know-y-cn-do-it.html

Take a good look at the Mormon church - how silly can you get in examining its origins? A second rate con artist writes a hack novel

about Jesus appearing to 'Injuns' and millions of otherwise rational people believe it because he STUCK TO HIS STORY! Meanwhile,

Mormons build colleges, businesses and enter politics - inspired to change the world.

Education and position in society do not eliminate the need for fantasy - and may actually intensify it. How many academics do you

know who actually think that voting for this or that candidate makes any critical difference? Or discuss the environment with emotion

usually associated with religious zeal?

Whatever the 'warts' of Christianity, I firmly believe that it motivated Western people in ways that Buddhism and other philosophical

approaches did not. Human technological development exploded in Judeo-Christian lands and is now spreading into Asia.

I can recall the words to an Anglican hymn "Jerusalem". You aspire to build "Jerusalem" in England and everywhere else.

We need illusions to inspire us. Maybe the real choice is what illusions are healthy...

metatron

I agree. Some people, perhaps the mast daring and substantial, actually are able to live their fantasies. Take the branson guy, of virgin records/air. The guy was worth millions, yet preferred to risk his life by flying a friggin balloon into the stratosphere, and around the world. Meanwhile, he had a beautiful wife and kids on his own private island. Thumbs up to him!

S

VoidEater

I agree.

In fact, I would submit that perhaps all of us live to some extent in fantasy, sometimes in ascribing rationale to the world and to people, sometimes in interacting with what we think is the "real world".

But beyond that, Vision is the first step in creating change - and Vision requires fantasy, the ability to exercise the imagination.

And sometimes you just need to escape what you think of as tedium.

The philosophical West in general seems drama-driven and -obsessed. It abhors boredom and vaccuum. It wants the next distraction, which may very well be a constructive distraction.

The philosophical East in general seems calm-driven, and finds value in waiting and observing. It abhors hurry and reaction.

Both seem to have their fantastic elements.

serotonin_wraith

There's nothing wrong in using fantasy to inspire you to do great things. However, if someone truly believed Scotty was a real person onboard a real starship, we would be tempted to get them medical help, regardless of how much better it made them.

I love fantasy, sci-fi in particular. But let's not pretend anyone would take me seriously if I truly believed Captain Kirk was going to beam me up any day now. How illogical!

Satanus

The east finds it's fantasies internally, w such things as meditation. Probably they would argue that it isn't fanatasy. Westerners would argue as well, that their religion isn't fantasy. However, western reiligion is mostly external, a god OUT THERE somewhere. In the east, it's 'god' in there, somewhere. The western externalisation tendency does have it's own benefits in the form of converting fantasies into realities. And so, we churn out new technologies, better life styles, mold nature, etc. Perhpas the two styles need to be mixed, even as they are being done, at this moment.

S

jaguarbass

We need illusions to inspire us. Maybe the real choice is what illusions are healthy...

Good post. Sometimes, I wish I was raised a Christian and not a magazine saleman. The Jehovahs witnesses back in the 60's and 70's proved that they are/ were a false religion. They claimed to be God's spokesperson/prophet and prophecied falsely. After being assoicated with the liars for 31 years, I cant trust any one. And I cant delude myself with another false religion.

Although, I realize If I could get the mentality of a child the kingdom would be mine.

The witnesses destroyed my ability to be gullible.

metatron

Sometimes I picture sets of belief as attractive women:

I see atheists as a Goth chick with ice water in her veins. Fun for a while but creates a need for more antidepressant medication.

Buddhist? A hot exotic woman with an air of mystery. Not big on accomplishments, though.

Christian? Might be a bit dumb but probably the best bet to introduce to your parents. Has a nice rack and a useful sense of guilt.

metatron

diamondblue1974

I agree, we do need fantasy, myth and legend. We need this as much as we do reality. Its a question of balance!

Myth and Legend can inspire, teach, or generally provide an escape - theres nothing wrong with it at all.

Gary

M.J.

"Christian?...Has a nice rack..."

You must be getting the same "Meet Christian Singles" ad that I am at the bottom of this page...yowsa!

VoidEater

Meta: Laughing - thanks!

Satanus: Isn't the phrase, Atman and Brahman are one? ;-)

Humans Need Fantasy

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