Blog post: Is Religion Cognitive-Emotional Cheesecake?

[All Along The Watchtower]

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http://formerfundy.blogspot.com/2010/05/is-religion-cognitive-emotional.html

Bolding mine.

I think it's an interesting analysis-that different religions are  appealing to human beings because of the psychological as well as philosophical reassurances they provide. What do you all think?

[minionofmidas]

No, but this cheesecake is cognitive and emotional



(Seriously, the only meanings for "cheesecake" that I'm aware of are "hottie" and "English for Topfenkuchen")

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

If religion (like music) addresses fundamental human needs in a meaningful way, how does that not involve "real solutions to life's problems"?

[John Dibble]

If religion (like music) addresses fundamental human needs in a meaningful way, how does that not involve "real solutions to life's problems"?

Addressing the human need for explanations with falsehoods can provide a flawed foundation for addressing other issues. Beliefs inform actions, after all.

For instance if someone believes in the doctrines of Scientology they are (falsely) lead to believe that certain mental conditions are caused by certain mechanics and that medication can't help, or is actually harmful. This might address their need to know and have explanations for things, but if in reality medication might help them they could end up not using it even if they happen to need it.

[Simfan34]

Now I just want some cheesecake. And Kate Moss. But I'm far more likely to get the former.

[All Along The Watchtower]

If religion (like music) addresses fundamental human needs in a meaningful way, how does that not involve "real solutions to life's problems"?

Addressing the human need for explanations with falsehoods can provide a flawed foundation for addressing other issues. Beliefs inform actions, after all.

For instance if someone believes in the doctrines of Scientology they are (falsely) lead to believe that certain mental conditions are caused by certain mechanics and that medication can't help, or is actually harmful. This might address their need to know and have explanations for things, but if in reality medication might help them they could end up not using it even if they happen to need it.

Well said. Although conversely, actions inform beliefs as well.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

If religion (like music) addresses fundamental human needs in a meaningful way, how does that not involve "real solutions to life's problems"?

Addressing the human need for explanations with falsehoods can provide a flawed foundation for addressing other issues. Beliefs inform actions, after all.

For instance if someone believes in the doctrines of Scientology they are (falsely) lead to believe that certain mental conditions are caused by certain mechanics and that medication can't help, or is actually harmful. This might address their need to know and have explanations for things, but if in reality medication might help them they could end up not using it even if they happen to need it.

But if religion acts as an opiate, why the need for an actual opiate?  Religion, if it has a psychological function, isn't just to feed people's curiosity.
The point being made in this blog post is that religion has a psychological function, and that this somehow means it is a delusion.  Scientology is such an explicitly self-help cult that the example you give isn't relevant to the broader point about what religion does.