This is tough to puzzle out

[Disillusioned]

I had a strange thought at work today: if a whole society of people went on an exodus into space and left Earth behind forever, would religions as we know them still have any purpose?

 

Would it still be practical for them to revere the holy sites that were back on Earth?

 

What would happen to them if they weren't on Earth when Judgment Day came?

 

What about unfamiliar foods that they discover on other planets---how would they know which ones are or aren't ceremonially defiling?

 

Would astrology still make any sense?

 

This stuff messes with your mind.

[D-Lish]

I had a strange thought at work today: if a whole society of people went on an exodus into space and left Earth behind forever, would religions as we know them still have any purpose?

 

Would it still be practical for them to revere the holy sites that were back on Earth?

 

What would happen to them if they weren't on Earth when Judgment Day came?

 

What about unfamiliar foods that they discover on other planets---how would they know which ones are or aren't ceremonially defiling?

 

Would astrology still make any sense?

 

This stuff messes with your mind.

 

It doesn't if you're an Atheist like me. I'd explore with an open mind.

[skydiveaddict]

I don't know, that question is beyond me. After all, I still make the sign of the Cross right before each jump. Perhaps that makes me a good Catholic or just superstitious. I don't know which

[taiko]

I had a strange thought at work today: if a whole society of people went on an exodus into space and left Earth behind forever, would religions as we know them still have any purpose?

Why not are most religions tied to a specific location or a state of mind?

 

Would it still be practical for them to revere the holy sites that were back on Earth?

Why not? If we are presupposing the colonial societies know they are from Earth

 

What would happen to them if they weren't on Earth when Judgment Day came?

If they were left behind in a rapture sense? Perhaps they would not be or perhaps they will conclude that earth was used as an example by God for all of the other inhabited planets. Sort of like Jews were the chosen for Earth then Earth would have been the chosen ones for the cosmos.

What about unfamiliar foods that they discover on other planets---how would they know which ones are or aren't ceremonially defiling?

presumably by observing the animal behavior stand ins for the "unclean" will be found. Others will say their Holy book doesn't say intergalactic life form therefore it is clean.

Would astrology still make any sense?

 

This stuff messes with your mind.

For those who believe there will be a renaissance in charting for the new colonial planets. Perhaps as they move faster then light some will conclude the horoscope changes as the person moves.

[Mr Orange]

We should just bomb the holy sites of all religions indiscriminately, and focus on other, more important things without the distraction of whose imaginary friend is badder.