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First, I don't "not believe in" things. I either believe something is false, or I believe that it's true, or I reserve judgment. Secondly, people choose to believe all kinds of things for all kinds of reasons, including you. And that is our choice, and our way as human beings. Because people have many different needs, and desires, and experiences, and different ways of cognating their experience of being them. So the way that works for one person may not work at all for another. Is there any reason that I should presume myself to be in charge of who's way is better than whom? Is there any reason that you should be? What possible value would there be in anyone appointing themselves the 'idea police'?Choose a conspiracy theory you don't believe in, Flat Earth, Moon Hoax, Reptiloid Aliens, you name it. What do you think is the psychology/mechanism behind people believing in it?
Everyone uses any number of ideological strategies to help them to cope with the problems of life as a human. Some of those strategies work better for them than others. And some strategies work much better for some people than they do for other people. I don't view theists as being any more or less 'needy' than any other grouping of humans, as that need to cope seems to be a universal condition. The difference is in the specific needs being addressed, and the specific ways theists choose to address them, as opposed non-theists.From what I have observed, many theists use their religion as a coping strategy to deal with the problems of life.
It seems as though people gravitate towards things that provide them with a sense of belonging and purpose. The structure of religion offers guidelines for how to operate on a daily basis. I think this is part of why we see many people recovering from addiction turn towards religion. My own brother relapsed on multiple occasions after being released from detox programs because he was unable to maintain consistency day to day without the structure of a program. Faith and religion provide him with a foundation to fall back on when things get tough. It seems to reduce the need for personal accountability however. Why evaluate your own behavior and take steps to change when you can leave it up to God?
Hello. I'm new to this forum and I hope that this topic is in the correct forum. But I have a question particularly for nonbelievers, however, by no means it is a challenge question. Also, believers are free to post in this topic too.
So, what I would like to ask particularly to nonbelievers is: What is your view on the psychology/mechanics of religious belief and what exactly do you think that believers in God are technically believing in in regard to their desire, their love, their adherence to what they believe is God?
And the reason why I ask is because there are various versions of Christianity, which have contradictory and conflicting policies and doctrines, but yet, within these various versions of Christianity, there are people who are sincere and very serious about worshipping God and having a relationship with God. However, for the most part, the people in these various versions of Christianity believe that their way or interpretation of believing and worshipping God is correct while often times believing that Christianity outside of their version of Christianity is incorrect.
And to expound upon these ideas, it seems as if in reality, belief and devotion to God (for many) is believing in the highest principles in your mind that make you feel safe and hopeful about life, along with the highest principles in your mind that produce community and caring and good deeds for others and with others. And of course, this would be in contrast to the darkness and the hopelessness that exists in our world.
So, does anyone have any thoughts about this?
If your brother is in a 12 Step recovery program, then he very much will be encouraged to evaluate and take responsibility for his own behaviour - though he won’t be expected to do that on his own.
The rest of what you say is, I think, pretty much spot on.
The 12 step programs haven’t worked well for him. He always ended up relapsing. The one that got him clean was an intensive 18 month inpatient treatment program for the homeless centered around Christianity. They helped him get a job and eventually a place to live. He went from being taoist to a Jesus freak. I’m just glad he found something that works for him. He now lives with my mom and is active at her church.
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So, what I would like to ask particularly to nonbelievers is: What is your view on the psychology/mechanics of religious belief
and what exactly do you think that believers in God are technically believing in in regard to their desire, their love, their adherence to what they believe is God?
And the reason why I ask is because there are various versions of Christianity, which have contradictory and conflicting policies and doctrines, but yet, within these various versions of Christianity, there are people who are sincere and very serious about worshipping God and having a relationship with God. However, for the most part, the people in these various versions of Christianity believe that their way or interpretation of believing and worshipping God is correct while often times believing that Christianity outside of their version of Christianity is incorrect.
And to expound upon these ideas, it seems as if in reality, belief and devotion to God (for many) is believing in the highest principles in your mind that make you feel safe and hopeful about life, along with the highest principles in your mind that produce community and caring and good deeds for others and with others. And of course, this would be in contrast to the darkness and the hopelessness that exists in our world.
So, does anyone have any thoughts about this?
Why ask a non-believer what their view of the psychology of religious believers, instead of believers?
As someone who has much experience with 12-step recovery, I have to correct that last sentence. As such programs are very strong on taking responsibility for one's actions and not only correcting them, but amending the damage done. Also, 12-step recovery is spiritually based, but not religious. I have seen people asked to leave AA meetings because they wanted to preach a religious recovery message to the group.It seems as though people gravitate towards things that provide them with a sense of belonging and purpose. The structure of religion offers guidelines for how to operate on a daily basis. I think this is part of why we see many people recovering from addiction turn towards religion. My own brother relapsed on multiple occasions after being released from detox programs because he was unable to maintain consistency day to day without the structure of a program. Faith and religion provide him with a foundation to fall back on when things get tough. It seems to reduce the need for personal accountability however. Why evaluate your own behavior and take steps to change when you can leave it up to God?
I'ld guess because a believer will not consider his religious belief to have some kind of psychological underpinning/explanation, as that would undermine the supposed accuracy of those beliefs.
At least, that's how I understood the question.
"Given religions are made up, what is the psychological explanation for why people tend to be religious?"
As someone who has much experience with 12-step recovery, I have to correct that last sentence. As such programs are very strong on taking responsibility for one's actions and not only correcting them, but amending the damage done. Also, 12-step recovery is spiritually based, but not religious. I have seen people asked to leave AA meetings because they wanted to preach a religious recovery message to the group.
I am very pleased to hear that he found something that helps him. You can disregard my comment about 12-step recovery.The 12 step programs haven’t worked well for him. He always ended up relapsing. The one that got him clean was an intensive 18 month inpatient treatment program for the homeless centered around Christianity. They helped him get a job and eventually a place to live. He went from being taoist to a Jesus freak. I’m just glad he found something that works for him. He now lives with my mom and is active at her church.
Materialists need to explain EVERYTHING in terms of physical processes. Otherwise their whole worldview unravels. *chuckling*Having any sort of psychological or physiological basis has no impact on my faith or how I view the Gods. It just goes to show how my body interprets and expresses and processes that experience.
Are you saying you don't believe the material exists?Materialists need to explain EVERYTHING in terms of physical processes. Otherwise their whole worldview unravels. *chuckling*
Generally, the mechanics of belief are essentially childhood indoctrination which results in responding to any doubts or challenges through confirmation bias and other forms of cognitive dissonance.Hello. I'm new to this forum and I hope that this topic is in the correct forum. But I have a question particularly for nonbelievers, however, by no means it is a challenge question. Also, believers are free to post in this topic too.
So, what I would like to ask particularly to nonbelievers is: What is your view on the psychology/mechanics of religious belief and what exactly do you think that believers in God are technically believing in in regard to their desire, their love, their adherence to what they believe is God?
And the reason why I ask is because there are various versions of Christianity, which have contradictory and conflicting policies and doctrines, but yet, within these various versions of Christianity, there are people who are sincere and very serious about worshipping God and having a relationship with God. However, for the most part, the people in these various versions of Christianity believe that their way or interpretation of believing and worshipping God is correct while often times believing that Christianity outside of their version of Christianity is incorrect.
And to expound upon these ideas, it seems as if in reality, belief and devotion to God (for many) is believing in the highest principles in your mind that make you feel safe and hopeful about life, along with the highest principles in your mind that produce community and caring and good deeds for others and with others. And of course, this would be in contrast to the darkness and the hopelessness that exists in our world.
So, does anyone have any thoughts about this?
Because you are more likely to get an objective view.Why ask a non-believer what their view of the psychology of religious believers, instead of believers?
Those are all secondary. For most it is primarily childhood indoctrination. As Aristotle said..."Give me the boy until seven and I will show you the man".Also, you probably won't get a clear answer mostly because people worship Gods for many reasons, there isn't any one singular psychological reason. For some it's community, for others it's reprieve and serenity, and others still do it because it's part of their Cultural upbringing and want to carry that tradition forward.
Because you are more likely to get an objective view.
Those are all secondary. For most it is primarily childhood indoctrination. As Aristotle said..."Give me the boy until seven and I will show you the man".
The help is there, and it's free. But he has to want it. 12-step recovery doesn't work for people who want someone else to fix them. They gotta be willing to do whatever it takes to save their own life. And they gotta see that it's really that urgent.Very valid point. Definitely something I’m hyper-aware of and not looking forward to maneuvering. He has already began drinking again and doesn’t play in the church band as often as he used to. Not sure if he has been dabbling in harder stuff again. I’m at a point where I am trying to brace myself and accept whatever happens. I’ve overextended myself as-is with trying to help him, my mom, and dad over the years. All I can do now is make sure he knows that he is loved. Sure wish I was rich so I could afford to help more.