When religion clashes with technology.

Do you think ones religion (or faith) should dictate their willingness to consider technological advances that could benefit them?

I fail to see how the two could be connected.

I don't think any of the mainstream religions really have any conflict with technology, other than the fact that technology could pose new temptations/risks/distractions. But intrinsically, I don't see any conflict with any common religion. The Amish? I guess they'd qualify as rejecting technology, but they aren't really too common

But certainly, if one's religion did conflict with these high-tech advances, then I don't think it's somehow wrong for somebody to not really embrace them. If people don't want to embrace technology, they certainly shouldn't have to and it's not as if every technology doesn't come with it's own downsides.

If you want to be that anal to not allow technology to help you because of your religious beliefs....then whatever. You deal with the consequences.

I certainly don't think so. However, the Amish might disagree. I never understood the whole "technology is the devil" attitude from weird religious people.

captainbryce wrote:I certainly don't think so. However, the Amish might disagree. I never understood the whole "technology is the devil" attitude from weird religious people.

The whole Amish thing is one huge contradiction, IMO. I know for fact they ride in cars and use telephones. I honestly don't know how doing that and not using any other technology make things any different.

I don't think ALL technology is good, so sometimes I think the Amish are the smart ones. I think technology is way over-rated and unnecessary in spots.

Bluesmama wrote:I don't think ALL technology is good, so sometimes I think the Amish are the smart ones. I think technology is way over-rated and unnecessary in spots.

Technology is completely unnecessary IF you live in an Amish community, or some other self sustaining way of life seperate from the demands of society. However, for MOST people, technology is essential just to exist in society at large without being left behind. Could you imagine someone living in downtown Atlanta without access to a car, cell phone, air conditioning and indoor plumbing? There is no way they would survive! I mean, you MIGHT be able to make it without a computer, television or microwave oven (although it would be a great strain on your existance), but some things are essential.

jehovahs witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions because blood is sacred... they would accept synthetic blood as long as there were no blood byproducts in it to begin with. atleast that is how it was explained to me.

and as someone else stated, scientologists would rather die than accept medical assistance. So is it good or bad? i think everyone has the right to believe what they want

wants2laugh wrote:and as someone else stated, scientologists would rather die than accept medical assistance. So is it good or bad? i think everyone has the right to believe what they want

I don't think that's scientologists who do that. I think you are thinking of "Christian Scientists".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Science

captainbryce wrote:Technology is completely unnecessary IF you live in an Amish community, or some other self sustaining way of life seperate from the demands of society. However, for MOST people, technology is essential just to exist in society at large without being left behind. Could you imagine someone living in downtown Atlanta without access to a car, cell phone, air conditioning and indoor plumbing? There is no way they would survive! I mean, you MIGHT be able to make it without a computer, television or microwave oven (although it would be a great strain on your existance), but some things are essential.

Ah, but in the event of a true national disaster of NO electricity that lingers for an extended period of time, like several months or a year, then Amish will survive much easier because they are more resourceful in a varierty of ways. I don't think it's good for the world to rely on computers for everything. Heck, in the scenario I just mentioned even our cars wouldn't work. My brother's '63 Chevy pickup would.

But while I'm basing things on worst case scenario, hopefully we'll never see it.