I was religious and upset with nonbelievers. Now, no religion and I feel good. What's the use of religion?

Question

If I had a religion and I was upset with nonbelievers, why do not have a religion and feel better? It seems that it is stupid to get upsed defending a "god" that doesn't need defense. I feel that I was stupid to call stupid ppl who didn' t believe what I believed.

Answer 1

keeps the masses under control

Answer 2

Well at one point it did help , people are more moral when they think there is an reward coming to them for being so . And a good drama always helped people "understand" the universe .

But today I think people can see for themselves that our actions alone shape our world and the only consequence we really should be worried about is the shape in which we leave it . The "believers" of the modern world are also the dreamers in an age of scientific enlightenment . They wish to believe because they want the easier route . No unanswered questions no emptiness . That is what I think people are discribing when they say god has shown them his light , they no longer question the things mankind has feared since the dawn of moral consciousness .

A religion gives you all the answers without the search , without the evidence and without reason . Religion it seems is the new fairytale it keeps those who can not do it on their own , moral and law abiding .

If this seems insulting its not , yes you may argue that your religion gives you a sense of belonging , of purpose , but could your role in shaping this world not give you purpose and could your part in this world not bring you closer to something larger then yourself namely the society in which you live in?
Its my opinion that the world would be alot better off if everyone just sat and asked themselves those two questions every now and then .

Alright I'm just going to stop here because now I'm starting to get preachy and I hate that ...

Answer 3

Here is part of an answer I used in another question:

A truly atheist person should not care whether a person believes in a God. A true atheist can respect and accept others beliefs and rationally discuss different ideas and points of views intellectually and maturely. A truly atheist person needs to take the time to edcucate themselves on the power of religion and learn about how religion has shaped our world.

A truly atheist person sees how organized religions have shaped the world and although they do not share those beliefs they do appreciate the impact religion has had throughout history (wars, art, music, etc)

As an atheist, I have read the Bible and come up with my own interpretations. I have three versions of the book that I reference just because I know that religion is about interpretation and each person has to discover that for themselves.

I happily discuss and share ideas with people of faith in well balanced conversations. In fact, I have had several discussions with my family (who are extremely religious), and most of our arguments regarding faith is that they could not leave me alone regarding my non-belief. They are still trying to counter some of the statements they have been taught that are far stretches from the stories in the Bible because they never took the time to read and interpret the book for themselves. I give them the respect and courtesy to go to church with them and keep my thoughts to myself. When they attack me for not believing, trust me, I am well prepared to defend my feelings and correct their assumptions. I can tell you some stories where I made the pastor of their church have to go back and re-read several passages for them and he did find that my interpretations were rational and plausible.

I will also admit to being in situations where believers have argued with me telling me my ideas are wrong. I tell these people that faith is very powerful. My beliefs are not in a higher power. There is no need to argue about what is right or what the bible truly means in certain passages. Our thoughts have been shared and let’s just grow from the knowledge and experience of that. This is how humanity grows. Let's appreciate our differences and appreciate the diversified perceptions that help us grow as a society.

Answer 4

if you were ever religious ,a true believer, than you should be feeling real lonely right now without God, not good, so i would think you wasnt a true believer in the beginning, the use of religion is pure and simple [peace] in knowing you will see heaven.being a good feeling non believer now do you truly have any peace of mind ,being angry at nonbelievers isnt a reason to turn away .He said get angry but sin not ,so by turning away from religion what did you do

Answer 5

I don't think you were truly "religious" then. Note: you can be spiritual and not religious. You must have missed the point of your religious if nonbelievers got to you that much. Nonbelievers make me sad but not over worrisome. You can't control everything - God Does. You'll find out the use when you notice a few friends have disappeared and you're still here.

Answer 6

The main use of religion is to promote an officially sanctified brand of religious terror. The thing that has amazed me is the sheer arrogance of Muslims, who seem to think that God is All-Powerful on one hand, yet on the other hand needs petty Islamic thugs running around to kill the Unbelievers. If God wanted to kill the Unbelievers, he could do it much better Himself with a simple eye blink. So the whole Qur'anic kill the Unbelievers rhetoric is nothing more than a crock.

The other religions are not much better. All together, their main use is to create and disseminate terror and killing.

Answer 7

I am agnostic myself... It seems more comfortable to me to embrace the idea of an entity (or entities) higher and more advanced than myself & other humans. I feel it's a bit arrogant to believe that homo sapiens are the highest form of being in the universe. I think that a little humility makes it easier to face the cosmos.
As far as organized religions go, I've never yet found one that makes me feel at home. But that doesn't make me doubt their validity for others. I try not to be upset with believers OR non-believers (as long as they don't get in my face, I'm cool with them all).

Answer 8

You are so right. Religion is empty, useless and doesn't satisfy! Religion is man-made. That's why the Bible says Jesus is the Only Way, Only Truth, Only Life. John 14:6 Only a personal relationship with Jesus gives Peace and Joy and Fulfillment.

Answer 9

I was religious, but now I suppose I would call myself "spiritual". I don't need a church to tell me when to pray and how I should feel about it. Religion is there for people who need it, and trust me, some people NEED it. Just not me.
I guess mainly it is the feeling of comraderie, a shared ground, or maybe just so they can feel like they are doing the right thing.

Answer 10

Not much use. Just self-serving, is all. Ultimately, most people use religion as an excuse for doing or not doing things they should or should not do.

At any rate, I feel religion have it's own purpose. However, how humans want to take it, is another issue altogether.

Answer 11

Good for you!!!

The ultimate use of religion is to brainwash and control everybody. That's the same function as that of organised sports (the World Cup), some policies, and too many things on television.