For non-theists, what scientific explanations have you come up with for why people believe in mythologies?

Question

I'm of the believe that the religious clubs and organizations they belong to give them that sense of belonging, and there is a certain comfort to believing in the mythology. There is a creation of endorphins in the brain when they "get fired up for (insert God's name here)"

Is there any other explanation that you have seen. I have seen the so called God gene but I don't buy into that logic at all.

I think its more a chemical "high" that the brain produces when they "get fired up for "god""

Answer 1

Timothy Leary came up with this theory for human consciousness.

The 8-circuit model describes eight levels of function of human consciousness.

There are eight circuits. The lower four deal with normal psychology, while the upper four deal with 'psychic', 'mystical', 'enlightened', or perhaps even 'tripped-out' consciousness. The strong point of this system is that it integrates the two so well. Most theories deal with one or the other, but not both- mundane psychology with no consideration of transcendant experience, or mystical foo-fa-ra with octaves and rays and spiritual this or that but no grounding in nitty-gritty down-to-earth surviving in the human jungle.

Answer 2

There is a need for a superior being. Humans have that filled by their parents when they are young. As an adult, the bio-chemical spirituality we feel motivates us and the particular superior being we choose justifies our actions, making us better organisms. We kill, steal, and reproduce more vigorously because of our mythology. It may be important to note that no two people believe exactly the same thing. People may subscribe to the template of Christianity, but in their own mind, it is not the same thing that's in the Bible, or in their neighbor's mind. Most people do not know as much about their religion as they do about their favorite TV show. It is not the religion that is important...it is the justification, motivation, and sometimes comfort, in superiority that is important.

Answer 3

An interesting observation of all the world’s religions claiming the knowledge of the truth is that they all have similar underlying principles that stem from the same roots of man’s quest to find his ultimate Creator and Father. Be it practices of honor and respect, which are known as moral codes, or the worship of an almighty being of some sort. However, such a search is not satisfied until the soul finds and recognizes its true maker and Father. A.J. Russell contemplated on this reality and imagines God saying “All men seek Me, but not all men know what they want. They are seeking because they are dissatisfied, without realizing that I am the object of their quest.” Therefore, just as God is Spirit, one cannot recognize nor worship Him unless he is lead by his own spiritual desires.

This search is a result of the thirst that dominates the spirit of man until it is quenched with the spiritual everlasting water that only God the Creator can provide. Like a child yearning for its parents, a human soul seeks to quench its thirst by being reunited with its Creator. Like St. Moses the Black, he cried out to God and said “Lord, whoever you may be, show yourself to me”.

Answer 4

because it gives them a reason for everything and a reason for living, a way of life an indepth creation of though, but i still belive in a god, and also a lot of mythological creatures come from descriptions of creatures in the bible and they build off of that untill it's slowly disotrted into what they call a religion

Answer 5

The behavior and beliefs of theists that are related to their Faith all seem to be defense mechanisms.

from the wikipedia article:

Defense mechanisms are unconscious mechanisms aimed at reducing anxiety that arises from three different scenarios:

-When the id impulses are in conflict with each other;
-When the id impulses conflict with superego values and beliefs;
-When an external threat is posed to the ego.

For example, when the id impulses (e.g. desire to have sex with a stranger) conflict with the superego (e.g. belief in societal conventions of not having sex with unknown persons), the feelings of anxiety come to the surface. To reduce these negative feelings, defense mechanisms are employed.

Answer 6

It is a proven fact that those who pray about their problems reduce their stress, whereas those that don't pray have heightened stress levels. Whether you want to chalk it up to an actual diety that grants them release, or the biochemistry in the brain is up to you. However, if it helps people cope with stressful situations and results in positive benefits, why not?

Answer 7

I believe it was a hoax created by the rich to keep the poor people in line. In Western Religion....

Wealthy man makes the 10 commandments to keep himself in charge. You know the rules, don't kill me, don't take my wife or possessions, etc.

But the beauty is they created this fictious 'god' that will reward them in their afterlife. So with the imaginary being going to have to cash the check of delayed reward the wealthy man stays in his comfort zone and keeps the poor in their place.

Answer 8

I get high when I go to the gymn, exercise, then fit into my slinky new dress, shoes, get my hair and make-up done.....in fact everyone's endorphins seem to go up when I do.

Answer 9

Would you be including the MYTH of evolution and the big bang in this?