It doesnt make sense

[Green Gaia]

I just dont understand how it is even possible for people to believe in any religion. religions were originally started to explain simple things like the sun rising and setting but now that we know so much, what is the point of them? It seems like they are holding back our species because religious freaks get so upset about science for on reason. I would like someone to give me one real, plausible reason why people still have religions and how they can believe in them.

For the Unitarian Universalist, religion is an ongoing search for meaning, purpose, value and spiritual depth in one's life. We fully embrace science and reason and accept the teachings of science and the scientific method.

What is the point of religions? All humans ask questions such as "Why am I here? What is the meaning and purpose of my life? Why do I have to die?" Religions seek to provide answers to questions like these.

 

[jonmarkgo]

That is a good reason to have a religion, however it doesnt explain why people believe im extremely super natural things and just take the word of the religion wihout any thought. this also doesnt explain why people take it to such a non personal level and try to influence other people. Thanks for the response though.

 

[Green Gaia]

I still think your not understanding what I meant. Think about it, religion has been used by so many people as motives for horrible acts. 9/11 you could say was a result of religion. People put so much emphasis on religion that it clouds their minds sometimes. It even goes on to this day. Would there still be conflicts if there were no religions. Of course. But religion casues more problems than you think.

Are you intentionally ignoring all the good that is done in the name of religion, or are you just not aware of it?

 

[Green Gaia]

That is a good reason to have a religion, however it doesnt explain why people believe im extremely super natural things and just take the word of the religion wihout any thought. this also doesnt explain why people take it to such a non personal level and try to influence other people.

Because they want to.

 

[jonmarkgo]

NO, I just think that the bad outwheighs the good

 

[jonmarkgo]

Because they want to.

Thats actually the best response i've gotten

 

[CaptainXeroid]

Are you intentionally ignoring all the good that is done in the name of religion, or are you just not aware of it?

Frubals for a most excellent point!

I have found that people often see what they are looking for, and for someone to say that the bad blamed on religion outweighs the many, MANY good deeds that have been been done in the name of religion, that person has absolutely no vision. I find that rather sad and hope that with maturity will come a more balanced view of other's faith.:162:

 

[ServantoftheKing]

Religion is a formula for belief. Some folks say ok, A= Go to church, B= Tithe, C=Be nice, and say prayers. So If I say A+B+C I must get belief, that is completely wrong. It's all about faith, which is of course, knowing what you cannot see. Its when you've come to the edge of your rope, and when you can't hardly stand this world anymore, that you can even begin to wrap your brain around a magnificent God. You have to absolutely let go of everything you have in this world set your heart in the right place and cry out- who is...which one of you created this d****d world that you will see.
But be careful how you address your creator.

 

[Green Gaia]

NO, I just think that the bad outwheighs the good

Fair enough.

But if you believe (like I think you do) that religions are man-made (i.e. not divinely inspired), then you must recognize that because of that they have the potenial to do great good and great evil, just as humans do. But as with most things with us humans the bad gets more attention than the good.

You're never going to get rid of religion completely. It will change and adapt over time as our understanding of the universe and our world changes, however slowly that may happen. People will either accept the changes and adapt their beliefs accordingly, or they won't. Either way, religion is not going to disappear while humans are still around, IMO.

 

[michel]

I just dont understand how it is even possible for people to believe in any religion. religions were originally started to explain simple things like the sun rising and setting but now that we know so much, what is the point of them? It seems like they are holding back our species because religious freaks get so upset about science for on reason. I would like someone to give me one real, plausible reason why people still have religions and how they can believe in them.

O.K, I am a Christian (I also take on parts of other religions, but I certainly believe in Jesus Christ). The reason 'I have the religion' is that when I pray to God, I believe that he hears me, and I have felt him give me strength in times of weakness.

Proof ? - of course not, how could I ?; but in my heart, I Know that there is a God, and I know that that God is one of pure Love. That is why the only way to go about our daily life, in this world, is by that same pure Love; hatred is negative, and destructive. Love, on the other hand, is not only constructive, but it makes everyone feel good.

I am not a religious freak who knocks science (A lot of science is way above my level of understanding anyway ), I understand a lot of what science has discovered and proved; none of it means that there cannot be a God.
Good enough?

 

[jonmarkgo]

yes
I have gotten some pretty good responses here

 

[TashaN]

I still think your not understanding what I meant. Think about it, religion has been used by so many people as motives for horrible acts. 9/11 you could say was a result of religion. People put so much emphasis on religion that it clouds their minds sometimes. It even goes on to this day. Would there still be conflicts if there were no religions. Of course. But religion casues more problems than you think.

The thing that you lack is the understanding of the events around you. you have to go beyond what you have been taught and told whether by media or anything else. For example, many people use the religion to satisfy thier evil desire to control and there are others who will use it for plitical reasons.

Believe me, if there are no more religions in the world so "genius" husmn beings will envent a new tool to stick on it to fulfill thier thirsty for evil and control "for the bad guys ".

Moreover, the human beings have a tendency toward religion whatever it is and they can't live with a peacefull mind without it because it's the highest level of purpose which will make us closer to a higher power "God" than this universe.

Also, don't forget that religious people believe in the hereafter, judgment day or the other life, whatever they call it, that's why they have to believe in God through obeying him by applying his laws in our temporary "currently" life.

I wish you luck in your researches for the truth ..

Peace ...

 

[linwood]

Moreover, the human beings have a tendency toward religion whatever it is and they can't live with a peacefull mind without it because it's the highest level of purpose which will make us closer to a higher power "God" than this universe.

Drivel.

 

[Popeyesays]

I just dont understand how it is even possible for people to believe in any religion. religions were originally started to explain simple things like the sun rising and setting but now that we know so much, what is the point of them? It seems like they are holding back our species because religious freaks get so upset about science for on reason. I would like someone to give me one real, plausible reason why people still have religions and how they can believe in them.

The truth of religions is not something that I can prove to you.

The falsity of religions is not something you can prove to me.

The truth is found within each of us, or it is not.

To expect otherwise, is naive at best, foolish at worst.

Why religion? My religion teaches:
"CX. The Great Being saith: O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity. This is the straight Path, the fixed and immovable foundation. Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure. Our hope is that the world's religious leaders and the rulers thereof will unitedly arise for the reformation of this age and the rehabilitation of its fortunes. Let them, after meditating on its needs, take counsel together and, through anxious and full deliberation, administer to a diseased and sorely-afflicted world the remedy it requireth...."
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 215)

Regards,
Scott

 

[Atheist_Dave]

I think the idea of the afterlife is so bad. It causes people to think that this life is just something to be endured before eternal damnation or bliss. i feel sorry for people who spend their whole life in quite desparation trying to please god, what a waste. Thats what religion does though, and thats why I personally don't go in for it all, I live my life now and take all the pleasure I can (rather than the religious way, which is to not give in to pleasure to please the lord) and live happily. Surely thats better than a life sucking up to you omnipotent god.

Peace x (sorry that was a bit of a rant) x

 

[MdmSzdWhtGuy]

The simplest response is that for a vast majority of true beleivers, their religion of choice (or more accurately the religion of their family/geography) provides something satisfying to them. That something may be a sense of community when attending church, it may be a lessening of the inherent fear of their own impending demise, it may be hope for a better future, etc. etc. etc.

The vast majority of the people on Earth have some sort of beleif in a higher power. I watched "Contact" last night, and they listed the figure at around 80%. I don't know how accurate that is, but it seems reasonable to me. An idea of a higher power looking out for you is comforting. Especially so when you are having hard times, or when you are being abused in some way. And face it, the vast majority of the people on the planet go through significant hard times and abuse.

I really think the appeal of Christianity/Islam, etc. . . lies largely with the promise of a reward in the afterlife for beleivers. It is comforting when you are going through something painful, discouraging, or tedious, that better times are ahead. What better way to get through a day, or a life on Earth which is often filled with pain and torment, than to beleive that all this suffering is but an eyeblink compared to the vast expanse of the eternity you will spend in paradise.

For most beleivers, this is, at worst a benign delusion, and at best, the ticket to an eternity of bliss. There are, of course, bad people involved in religion, just as there are bad people involved in any organization. I too have a problem with religious fanatacism, and don't relish the idea of an overly religious person having any say over my life. So to some extent I can agree with your sentimentality, and I do think religion in general has caused more divisiveness and strife, and torture and war over the centuries than probably any other human concept, but . . . .

Most of the people on this forum who identify themselves as religious, are not fanatics. There are a few running around who probably wouldn't mind hearing about an abortion clinic exploding, or an infidel losing his hands, or an athiest receiving a good beating, but I would venture that those types are very very few and far between on this board. Not too many people with that level of mentality are going to be able to get a computer turned on, hooked up to the internet and navigated to this site for you to debate with.

Most religious people, are quite simply, just most people.

Even most people who identify themselves as religious, when they sit and think about it, will agree with you, that religous matter defy logic. On occasion you will have someone posit Paschal's Wager in an attempt to apply logic to the debate, but that begs many other questions which generally cause the debate to devolve.

So, that was a long way around the barn to say, that religion still exists today, in spite of our realization through the natural sciences that a lot of what Western Religions have told us (Flood, Geocentrism, Jonah/Whale, Age of Earth) etc, etc. etc. are incorrect, because . . . religion fills a need that the believer has. That need may vary from believer to believer, but it is there to provide something that each individual beleiver needs, or wants, in their life.

B.

 

[Buttons*]

People by nature are frightened, silly creatures. We arent secure with ourselves in the slightest. Religion helps us not to be so afraid about death, it doesnt matter if its a silly belief, but people seem to need it. I do.... *smiles*

 

[Atheist_Dave]

Our thoughts are created by our brains, when we die our brains decompose, it makes sense to me that an afterlife is non-existant. Thats just me though, I know this way I will die knowing I have done the best I can to live well.

x x x

 

[Green Gaia]

Moreover, the human beings have a tendency toward religion whatever it is and they can't live with a peacefull mind without it because it's the highest level of purpose which will make us closer to a higher power "God" than this universe.

I don't agree.

Also, don't forget that religious people believe in the hereafter, judgment day or the other life, whatever they call it, that's why they have to believe in God through obeying him by applying his laws in our temporary "currently" life.

No, not all religious people believe that way.

 

[TashaN]

i feel sorry for people who spend their whole life in quite desparation trying to please god

Why do you think that they are in desparation and not happy living thier life as well as pleasing God?