Are we so scared of the truth that we forsake reason for religion?

Question

Is that why people live lives of delusion? I think it might be. We can't really function if we REALIZE all the crazy crap going on in the world, and that we have to die. Is it an innate fear that puts a curtain between us and reality?

I admit, I am scared of the implications of reality. I cannot fully cope with what I've been faced with. But I'm a far cry from praying.

Answer 1

In response to the person above who said that "In a sick way, atheism provides for the vilifying of those who save lives and a hero-worship for the murderer, since he solves the problem of life's meaningless existence. So you see, it is atheism which defies logic." I can say the same about Christianity, doesn't it make sense that if you believe you are going to Heaven, then wouldn't you want someone to kill you and get you on your way faster? Wouldn't you want to kill your children after they are baptized to get them to Heaven? I have never heard of an atheist killing someone because they wanted to "solve the person's problems" but I have heard of Christians drowning their children to save them from the Devil. To me, that defies logic. Personally I believe most religion defies logic, not just Christianity.

Galileo was convicted during the Italian Inquisition of teaching theories contrary to the belief of the Church. The thing that he was teaching was that the earth revolved around the sun, as opposed to the sun revolving around the earth as the church has believed and taught. He was sentenced to death. Fortunately his daughter was able to plea his case to get him life under house arrest if he denounced that "theory." This is what the church refered to as logic. They believed that of course the sun revolves around the earth and anyone who claims otherwise will be removed (executed). We now know that the church was wrong about that "logic", so what else has they been wrong about?

In sumation, Galileo said this "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."

Answer 2

Reality is a tricky word. It is what you perceive. And a scientific reality is no more real than a faith-based reality. Not to mention that reason doesn't give us an answer as to what happens when we die. Arguably, neither does religion.

But the "reality" is that no one knows. So we do the best we can. Many people are still mired in ancient religions that seem more like living mythologies to me than anything else, but I don't think they're deluded so much as steeped in ancient lore.

People know they will die one day. Sure, some people would do anything to avoid death or even avoid thinking about it, but that's not everyone. Soldiers put their lives on the line willingly, quite aware of the risk. People in particularly hazardous parts of the world face death on a regular basis, and not always with fear and trepidation. And there are massive non-theistic religions, too, such as the Buddhists.

There are innate fears, and a fear of death is one of them... without some fear of death we'd walk into it like a moth to a flame... but I don't think that fear presents a curtain, as you say. There are many great thinkers and philosophers who've tackled the reality of not knowing what happens when we die, and death itself... but there are a great many ordinary people tackling it as well.

Answer 3

That's certainly a large part of it. Probably the biggest part in how it all got started. But I think today the largest "curtain" is just the simple brainwashing of children from infancy.

Take a newborn child, and let them NEVER hear any of the ridiculous stories that religion tells until they reach 18. Then, at 18 tell them that: (using Christianity as an example)



There is an invisible man in the sky that loves us.

He had a son, with a virgin woman, who was nailed to a cross and died so that we may be forgiven for the sin of Adam, who ate an apple after being told not to.

If we're good, we'll go sit on the clouds with these two, as well as everyone we ever loved.

If we're bad, we'll be sent to the center of the earth to burn in fire with the devil.

The reason we know all this is that thousands of years ago, a book was written telling us so.

It is not necessary to seek evidence for any of these things, because that book is "truth" enough.

If we DO seek evidence, we are evil and will go to "hell" with the red man.


After you tell this 18-year old all of these things, see if they convert to Christianity.

Answer 4

We're neurologically built for religious belief. Scientists have been able to identify the regions of our brains attached to religious feeling and can stimulate them at will - with quite dramatic results.

On a basic evolutionary level we're pattern finders - individuals able to rationalize cause and effect are far more likely to leave offspring. (Gee... it seems that the birds fly away a few moments before a lion attack, perhaps I should run when I see the birds fly away.) Part of that pattern finding ability is a demand for conclusion; and it may be that demand that led to early religious thinking - before scientific thought there was quite a bit to nature that defied rational explanation, supernatural explanations fulfilled the need for conclusion where rational thought was unable.

Also, even very basic organized religions create tighter social bonds. A group of individuals is more likely to obey social mores if they believe a powerful entity, or many powerful entities, expect them to. Successful social mores create successful societies, successful societies offer protection, and protection leads to procreation.

There is some measure of comfort given by religious thought, of course - ask any atheist at a funeral about the sadness they feel when they hear others talk hopefully about seeing their loved ones again in the hereafter. (I know it makes me feel sad to not have that hope, delusional or not.)

It's probably a nice conglomeration of nature and nurture, physiology and psychology, just like every other aspect of human culture.


Or... they could be right, and we atheists could be delusional. *grins*

Answer 5

Human reason is/was the creative force behind all religion,
Focus on the aspects of both that ring true to your heart,
put your faith in the plan the Almighty has for you.
Dont worry about what everyone else is doing,when others see that you are no longer afraid they will become curious enough to listen to what you have to say.
We create our own realities what appears delusional to you may not be for others, search for your truth and focus on it.
Peace brother, James.

Answer 6

That's a loaded question. You have an unproven premise in that you assume that reason and religion are diametrically opposed. In atheists view, death becomes the ultimate hero, solving all of our problems. In a sick way, atheism provides for the villifying of those who save lives and a hero-worship for the murderer, since he solves the problem of life's meaningless existence. So you see, it is atheism which defies logic.

Answer 7

Its no longer faith on my own its your soul, there might be different persons on your lifestyles, however faith remains so do whats correct for your self. Every faith I realize forbids having a lover so, why danger your entire eternity for any one on the earth who you'll be able to marry or, marry any one else and reside reliable from sin. Its no longer difficult to select, however permit me let you know anything matters that weren't allowed to have immediately turn out to be such a lot desired cleanse your soul and you are going to suppose naturally.

Answer 8

no. some people are spiritually blocked.
i say take a spiritual enema, once you decide we are spiritual beings, seek truth.
if you find truth as i have, you will hopefully understand that fear is not from GOD. and with God, we have no fear.

in addition to your addition, I believe PRIDE is the scariest of all human conditions, seek God and discover His emphasis for humility, then free your mind, get on your knees, seek God with all your heart, and watch everything come in to perspective, there in lies the power and the truth. I promise.

Answer 9

I would say there is a lot of truth to that statement. Which is why I don't adhere to religions. I am a Christian and that is a personal relationship based on faith between Christ Jesus and me - there are a lot of Christian religions, but that doesn't make them truths.

Answer 10

i beleive what i beleive because of my experience. as i used to be christian, the answer is yes and no. some people have a religion to belong, some to find others that are like minded and will help them grow spiritually. but it seems like most christians want to belong to a religion with political prowess. Rome fell because of greed and power and christianity will hopefully fall as well. PS a relationship with jesus still counts as christianity since jesus is specifically the christian pantheon and no others.