Because, you might think it is a trick. You may believe that it is a test of your faith, or you might just want to hang on to your old beliefs. It's very rare that people change religion later in life.
(I assume this is the correct place to post this)
Let's say you die, and find out that whatever you believe in is wrong. You come before the face of a deity, and they tell you that you have a choice; you can repent, and go to heaven, or keep on with your religion, and be eternally punished...
To many people, someone isn't a person until they can talk and express their views. Most cultures, added to this, feel that someone isn't a person until they come into puberty. That is why we don't care about animal rights, for they never reach the first stage.
I was using Jesus and the pope as examples. And one of my arguments is that smaller religions are no better. They just don't spread their religions as much, and because of that, remain small. When a religion tries to spread, either it gets wiped out, or grows to a very large size.
Also, I...
I'm talking about both leaders like Jesus, and the actual leaders like the pope. Those who men follow, and those who control the followed.
Religion is a culture, as it is exclusive. Not all cultures are religious, but all religions are cultures. They are a group of people who do things in a...
The people want to be tricked, because they want to know that someone or something is looking over them. They choose to be tricked.
Also, Silmarists are only peaceful because nothing on earth needs fighting. That's why I am one.
As Tom said, it's not necessarily the people who do the forceful preaching. It's the leaders. The people, however, will follow the leaders. The leaders have to be wise, and those in the smaller religions don't have armies. Therefore, those in the smaller religions will tend not to argue as much...
But the people themselves fight the battles of the elite, because of the religion. That means that the people are willing to die for their religion, because of the elites. However, martyrs are present in all religions, not just Christianity and Islam. Thus, all religions appreciate sacrifice for...
I disagree. If it were only a money making business, none of the smaller religions like my own would exist. Less followers mean less money, yet here I am, making no money. Why is that if religion is just for money?
The very fact that much of religion is beyond science just proves why the arguments can be harmful. A true constructive argument ends up with one person changing their opinion. However, religion cannot be proven correct or incorrect. Therefore, the arguments can go nowhere. That means that...
Ah, but these are the largest religions in the world. And to most in those religions, those in other branches are not of the same religion. Also, everyone wishes to project their views. Though some religions are more subtle than others, they all do it. If it weren't so, there would be but one...
Nearly all religions wish for everyone to follow them. Because of this, there are crusades, and arguments for the religion.
You might say it is for their own good, but wouldn't it be better if they discovered that themselves? If it's so true, why won't science in time prove it? Until then...
You may ask what Silmarists are.
A Silmarist is someone who follows the religion of the Valar of middle earth. They come from the book the Silmarillion, which is a fictional work by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Why would anyone follow an obvious work of fiction?
This is a question I often get. You...