Why do people reject all logical suggestions and choose to beleive in an organized religion?

Question

OK i know the answer to this but id like to see some new thoughts

Answer 1

Its because it gives a sense of security to them to think that there is someone taking care of them or that when we die we dont just cease to exist.

and because thats what our parent's taught us since childhood.

Answer 2

You can be "logical" and still come to accept a spiritual belief system that you have come to accept as valid.

As you probably know if you're a logical sort of person, "logic" is simply a consistent list of criteria we use to arrive at a decision.

Two people can be just as logical as each other, but if they start with different assumptions or criteria over what is important in life, then they'll come out with different answers.

People can believe in organized religion for crummy reasons -- being brought up that way, convenience, narrow-mindedness, thoughtlessness, ignorance, power/control issues, insecurity, and so forth.

People also develop spirituality as a valid response to the trials and pleasures of life. It takes a pretty cynical view of people (and sort of an insulting one, I guess) to actually think that thousands of years of people following some form of organized religion occurred because said people are stupid and illogical or intellectually lazy, and not because they actually find positive behaviors, emotional health, and personal fulfillment through their beliefs and values.

Despite all the phonies, religion has generally stuck around BECAUSE people have experienced something "real" in it. There's no other sensible and respectful explanation I can think of.

I must say that I think faith deals with relationships between people (how we treat God and others). While a personal faith is great, and practicing it in isolation can be a positive thing (heck, I enjoy being alone and find God while alone), I don't think we should dismiss the aspect of organized religion that basically forces people to come together as a group in order to worship. There are things in community that we cannot discover while alone.

There's also something positive to be said about ritual and tradition, if it is in service to a personally real faith and not just a list of steps to follow. Tradition and organized religion develops as a means to concretely practice one's faith; it helps build a sense of community, a sense of history, and preserves the main tenets of the faith.

[Hey, Twist: Most "Christian" movies I've seen leave me a little nauseated too...]

Answer 3

Logic will only take you so far, Philip. In the end you will choose to believe what you want to believe and you will live with the consequences, both good and bad, of that decision. It doesn't matter if it is organized or not.

The arrogance of your question could also be phrased like this, "Why do people reject all logical suggestions and choose not to believe in an organized religion?" Both are smarmy, arrogant and ridiculously narrow minded.

Answer 4

Because:-
1) Man is a social animal --- and being part of a group gives social acceptability
2) Man has the power of faith --- which may not be exactly logical but it's so intuitive and well-recognized that it gives illusion of being logical
3) Man has conquered most of the things except DEATH. Death is a collective experience and is one major unresolved mystery.

4)Combine the effects of 1 and 3 and you get answer to ORGANIZED
5) Combine the effects of 2 and 3 and you get the answer to RELIGION

6)Combine 4 and 5 to get one of the possible logical explanation to your question.

Answer 5

There are many reasons as to why people follow some form of organized religion. It gives them a sense of security, hope and something to base their life on.

I believe in God and have gone to church because in the Bible it states that we are to fellowship as believers and to be able to come together in one accord, to me that is church. There is nothing wrong with that as long as the church is a good Bible based church. Too many people get carried away with the fact that it is man made and what not. However that was the call of Paul's life to preach and help form the churches.

Anyway, personally as I am sure you can tell I am a Christian and I believe in Jesus Christ because I know that He is the truth. I have peace that passes all understanding and see testimonies of Him all around in my life and others. So for me it does offer security and hope, however there is so much more involved as Jesus is the truth in this life.

Answer 6

Are you asking: Why are people, from the moment they gain self knowledge, choose to believe in things told and exercised by a group of people that call themselves a religion, instead of all logical suggestions? If so, i have no clue, because i don't.
I guess i am one of those people that only believe it until they see it..whatever theyre called.

Answer 7

There are plenty of us out here who believe in God but reject organized religion. We are the 'unchurched'. Our logic overrides our need to be part of any organized group led by traditions of men.

Answer 8

I totally believe in God, but I do not believe in organized religion....but at the same time our own beliefs are our own personal religion. "Logical suggestions" are only logical to those who believe they are logical.

Answer 9

People do not readily question the veracity of their religion when it provides punishment - hell - for disbelieving, and reward - heaven - for believing. Those are the two primary impediments to free thought on the subject.

Answer 10

That's BELIEVE -- I guess logic and intelligence don't necessarily go hand in hand.

It's called faith. And people can have faith without organized religion.