Why religion?

[igosaur]

As humans we have an intense curiosity about the world around us, why we are here, how things work etc. We also are by our very nature quite impatient and want answers quickly. Couple that with an imagination and an ability to make observable facts fit any theory and this could be one reason why religious belief seems so easy for some people to accept.

The question still remains however, why some people are so stubborn in their beliefs and unwilling to give them up or change them when it seems they are wrong.

This could be explained by three fundamental characteristics of the human mind.

The first is one we share with all other lifeforms on this planet, and that is the instinct for survival. In any life threatening situation we will always be looking for a 'way out' and a strategy to avoid death.

The second is one that, as far as we can tell, we do not share with other animals, and that is the comprehension of our own end. Although we don't think too much about it from day to day we are quite aware that one day will be our last.

This obviously causes a conflict between the two states. We have the instinct to survive and yet we comprehend that ultimately we won't. The only ways out are to either except this scenario or, if your mind cannot cope with such a concept, develop a method of living for ever. This where religion come in because that is exactly what it promises.

Once you have accepted religion and resolved this conflict you are very unlikely to give it up and return to an unknown.

The third reason that people seem so unwilling to give up or change their religion is that it becomes ingrained within their culture and their family life. This is obviously tribal in nature and gives people a sense of belonging and being part of a group. This is after all how humans evolved.

[Asmodean]

Hope and fear.

Most believers are driven by one or both. Hope of "salvation" and fear of "damnation", hope of eternal life and fear of cessation of existence, hope for a better tomorrow and fear of the shittiest tomorrow ever.

 

[curiosityandthecat]

Asmodean is correct. Also, people get stuck in tradition and religion is steeped in tradition. As long as they have a routine and something to focus their energy and minds on (to give them a sense of accomplishment or belonging), they rarely question the nature of the system.

[afreethinker30]

And when it comes to a chance to live on after this life its a easy sell.No one wants life to end.

[Asmodean]

No one wants life to end.

Uh... Them suicides..?  

[afreethinker30]

No one wants life to end.

Uh... Them suicides..?  

Well if you look into alot of attempted suicides most people admit they really didn't want to die.And with depression,mental illness it clouds your mind,makes you think differently.Of course we have suicide bombers and such but they believe they will have everlasting life after death and virgins of course.On my no one wants life to end I meant that forever.I didn't mean life on earth atleast most of the time.If people wanted all life to come to an end there wouldn't be people in jail for murder.And I'm sure murder wouldn't be looked upon so badly.

[Asmodean]

No one wants life to end.

Uh... Them suicides..?  

Well if you look into alot of attempted suicides most people admit they really didn't want to die.And with depression,mental illness it clouds your mind,makes you think differently.Of course we have suicide bombers and such but they believe they will have everlasting life after death and virgins of course.On my no one wants life to end I meant that forever.I didn't mean life on earth atleast most of the time.If people wanted all life to come to an end there wouldn't be people in jail for murder.And I'm sure murder wouldn't be looked upon so badly.

Well, obviously, the failed suicides didn't really want to die - at least the most of them - otherwise, they wouldn't have failed.  

[afreethinker30]

Well if you look into alot of attempted suicides most people admit they really didn't want to die.And with depression,mental illness it clouds your mind,makes you think differently.Of course we have suicide bombers and such but they believe they will have everlasting life after death and virgins of course.On my no one wants life to end I meant that forever.I didn't mean life on earth atleast most of the time.If people wanted all life to come to an end there wouldn't be people in jail for murder.And I'm sure murder wouldn't be looked upon so badly.

Well, obviously, the failed suicides didn't really want to die - at least the most of them - otherwise, they wouldn't have failed.  

[Asmodean]

Well, obviously, the failed suicides didn't really want to die - at least the most of them - otherwise, they wouldn't have failed.  

[Faking a Southern US redneck-variety dialect]
Hell, I'll drink to that!  

[/dialect]

[afreethinker30]

Well, obviously, the failed suicides didn't really want to die - at least the most of them - otherwise, they wouldn't have failed.  

[Faking a Southern US redneck-variety dialect]
Hell, I'll drink to that!  

[/dialect]

Haha well pass one this way.People are all crazy anyway.I bet given another 100 years the only people left will be people like us.Smart enough to know when to butt in,but smarter for knowing when not to.

[Asmodean]

Haha well pass one this way.People are all crazy anyway.I bet given another 100 years the only people left will be people like us.Smart enough to know when to butt in,but smarter for knowing when not to.

How is it the fundies put it..? Amen to that, sister!  

[Dickson]

I don't want to sound like a snot-nosed fundie, but one reason I remain religious is because it works for me.  I know that the unexplainable, unscientific doesn't jive with most folks here, but Christianity has always worked for me.

[Jolly Sapper]

I don't want to sound like a snot-nosed fundie, but one reason I remain religious is because it works for me.  I know that the unexplainable, unscientific doesn't jive with most folks here, but Christianity has always worked for me.

Right on, brother-from-a-different-mother, I'll high-five to that!

[Dickson]

Right on, brother-from-a-different-mother, I'll high-five to that!

   (since there's not a high-five smiley)

Nice avatar, btw.

[Asmodean]

Right on, brother-from-a-different-mother, I'll high-five to that!

:idea: