Why do religions have anthropocentric views? (Please discuss)

[ralis]

This is a topic that is fascinating to me. Several thoughts come to mind:

 

Psychology of socialized primates i.e, humans.

Primitive tribalism.

Fear.

 

 

ralis

[Erdrickgr]

I think one reason is that it makes people feel like they have a purpose, and that there is some meaning to their lives. For example, if we were specially created by God "in his image and after his likeness," then that says something significant about who we are and what the point of life is. On the other hand, some religious people dislike humanism, and it's been my experience that such people try to create a balance where humans are placed below God(s), angels, etc. Of course, such people might still have anthropocentric views, but that's a bit of a relative judgment: what seems anthropocentric to one person might seem like the correct or reality-based position by another person.

[ralis]

I think one reason is that it makes people feel like they have a purpose, and that there is some meaning to their lives. For example, if we were specially created by God "in his image and after his likeness," then that says something significant about who we are and what the point of life is. On the other hand, some religious people dislike humanism, and it's been my experience that such people try to create a balance where humans are placed below God(s), angels, etc. Of course, such people might still have anthropocentric views, but that's a bit of a relative judgment: what seems anthropocentric to one person might seem like the correct or reality-based position by another person.

 

In your opinion, could an earth centered view be an an evolutionary artifact from our primate ancestry? That is not to say that primates would have such a view, but formed an impetus in some way that had a profound influence on how humans formed such views. Of course this took place over millions of years. There may be anthropological studies that may provide some clues.

 

 

 

ralis

[Vajrahridaya]

Buddhism is not anthropocentric. It includes all sorts of sentient beings who receive teachings from Buddhas and talks about aliens who are Buddhas and bodhisattvas. The Buddha himself recounted his monkey and other animal lives. But, it is the human incarnation that has a particular capacity. In Buddhism, it's not so much fear as it is knowledge and wisdom and understanding the preciousness of the human incarnation. But if one thinks that reincarnation is a bunch of B.S. then your are entitled to make up a whole bunch of other theories to support your emotions as that's also a human capacity that animals do not have.

[ralis]

Buddhism is not anthropocentric. It includes all sorts of sentient beings who receive teachings from Buddhas and talks about aliens who are Buddhas and bodhisattvas. The Buddha himself recounted his monkey and other animal lives. But, it is the human incarnation that has a particular capacity. In Buddhism, it's not so much fear as it is knowledge and wisdom and understanding the preciousness of the human incarnation. But if one thinks that reincarnation is a bunch of B.S. then your are entitled to make up a whole bunch of other theories to support your emotions as that's also a human capacity that animals do not have.

 

Erdrickgr made some astute points that are well thought out. You have every right to defend your belief system. However, please stick to the topic and not throw in side issues like reincarnation and human emotions. BTW, I have no problem with reincarnation. Let's discuss the topic and have fun with it.

 

 

ralis

[Aetherous]

Because people are anthropocentric.

 

You don't have a logical discussion with your pet dog. You communicate with them on their level...petting, and simple words. It's just what works for them.

 

So, since most people haven't seen the big picture, or let it sink in enough (myself included)...then their belief systems will be on the level they're at. They will try to project their fantasy onto reality. Even if they logically know they aren't the beautiful little center of the universe, most will still assume it unconsciously.

 

But I also think that most religions point to a higher wisdom, and some pretty much flat out describe it. Even Christianity, for instance.

 

So religion: it's like training your dog to go through the door, instead of describing to him the process of going through the door. A lot of dogs just wouldn't get what you're saying, and they'd pee on the door, or go chew on their bone, or hump your leg. So they have to be led, and trained so that it actually works, and they reach that other side.

 

I think this is where people get stuck...because they're interpreting the commands wrong. And also, they start to make up their own religion, based on the old written commands, which ends up being way off from what it originally was about. Another time to take Christianity as an example. So, it gets very confusing and convoluted. Even more anthropocentric, instead of enlightened (not simply Buddhist enlightenment, but all kinds).

[ralis]

Because people are anthropocentric.

 

You don't have a logical discussion with your pet dog. You communicate with them on their level...petting, and simple words. It's just what works for them.

 

So, since most people haven't seen the big picture, or let it sink in enough (myself included)...then their belief systems will be on the level they're at. They will try to project their fantasy onto reality. Even if they logically know they aren't the beautiful little center of the universe, most will still assume it unconsciously.

 

But I also think that most religions point to a higher wisdom, and some pretty much flat out describe it. Even Christianity, for instance.

 

So religion: it's like training your dog to go through the door, instead of describing to him the process of going through the door. A lot of dogs just wouldn't get what you're saying, and they'd pee on the door, or go chew on their bone, or hump your leg. So they have to be led, and trained so that it actually works, and they reach that other side.

 

I think this is where people get stuck...because they're interpreting the commands wrong. And also, they start to make up their own religion, based on the old written commands, which ends up being way off from what it originally was about. Another time to take Christianity as an example. So, it gets very confusing and convoluted. Even more anthropocentric, instead of enlightened (not simply Buddhist enlightenment, but all kinds).

 

It is difficult to have precise interpretations from 2000 or even 2500 years ago. Thus, " interpreting the commands wrong". Most contemporary religious views are merely fragments of the past.

 

 

ralis

[Vajrahridaya]

Erdrickgr made some astute points that are well thought out. You have every right to defend your belief system. However, please stick to the topic and not throw in side issues like reincarnation and human emotions. BTW, I have no problem with reincarnation. Let's discuss the topic and have fun with it.

ralis

 

Oh, I like your response now ralis. Not bad. I may chime in another time... Thanks.

[Magitek]

Edited August 14, 2009 by Magitek

[Vajrahridaya]

They have them because they are created by humans for humans, so it's mostly relative to that.