[quote=scaredyclassic]in many areas of society, you ahve to be able to say you believe in something that is obviously false. this is another aspect of social training provided by religion, similar but slightly different than saying one thing and doing another. By saying the truth, you are basically signalling that you are not willing to play the game. don’t do that. it is necessary to the survival of any society,a nd its members, that they be able to swear up and down something is true that all evidence points to the contrary thereof.[/quote]
Well, that’s certainly an interesting perspective. And, of course, not being able to change all of society, maybe a better response than frustration would be to just zen* that part of it or to even join in and pretend.
But that doesn’t make it any less ridiculous.
*zen meaning the meditative practice of focusing on the present without judging, therefore preventing frustration, not meaning anything religious.