Why does man need religion?

Question

since the dawn of time, man has made elaborate mythologies to explain the questions of the universe that they couldnt possibly answer. Im not religious myself, but dont blast those who are. Whatever makes them happy. I just wonder, why it makes them happy. What is the purpose? With my experience (raised Catholic) religion caused more questions then actually providing answers so..... why does man need religion?

Answer 1

The more fervently he believes, the more discipline he needs to live a moral life. Man needs to fear divine wrath in order to restrain himself, when he is unable to rationalize morality on his own.

Or if he's insecure, with low self-respect, he wraps himself up in religion because it makes him feel special and superior to others who don't believe as he does.

That's my take on it.

Answer 2

Mankind does not need religion. However, mankind needs a moral code to live by so that children can grow up in a society with understandable rules with what is acceptable and not acceptable. I believe religion in some respect can play a role in this but unfortunately in many cases is mis-used. Religion should be found, not imposed on the people. This is why we should have a good non religous code of ethics for our children and not introduce them to any religion until they are over the age of 16 or 18 when they are old enough to make a decision themselves. Any introduction to religion prior to this age is equivalent to brainwashing.
Despite this belief I am starting to lean towards a strong catholic, protestant, christian church as a pragmatic way to counterweigh the radical Muslim religion which wants to oppress the people. Again this would be a misuse of religion but maybe the lesser of two evils.

Answer 3

I find it interesting that you actually raise a sociological question here. In a society/culture, no matter how advanced, certain things always are there:

Family
Government
Religion
and a couple other things I fail to recall from high school

Your question touches upon the fact that all these institution fulfill a need in the society, and thus, what need is religion fulfilling?

Perhaps religion has always been about to explain the intrinsic moral principles that most people have. Morality, in turn, is necessary for a stable society and self-preservation. As a house divided cannot stand, a society running amuck against itself wouldn't likely last very long, would it?

Answer 4

People who think that religion have any power to discipline us simply do not know the history of mankind at all. There is a great number of samples from different countries when very religious people, even monks, did such terrible things that not a single normal human being would not. Millions of people died during the last 20 centuries only because of the conflicts between different religions. And now we can see the same. People continue killing people for such a fake as religion. If anybody does not see this then he or she simply does not WANT to see. HONOUR - that is the thing which have the power to make people better if they understand what it is.

Answer 5

I saw that the "answers" given you were without proof. So you don't have answers--you have opinions. "Religion" is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO. That's the Bible answer--James 1:27.
Now there are a few who answered you who do not believe in a God. That's their right! But when they find out that they have been wrong, it will be too late.
For exanple, one of the responders (Ian C) claims to be an atheist. But he PROBABLY is not. A true atheist says he KNOWS there is no God. "Atheist" is from the Greek language. "a" means NOT. "theist" means god. Therefore, not God. Ian (and most of the so-called atheists) are agnostics. Another Greek word. "a"--NOT. "ginosko"--to know; have knoledge. NOT KNOW. They are saying that no one can KNOW that there is a God. The true atheist must have LOGICAL arguments to PROVE that there is no God. Some have tried--but when dealing with someone with the truth, they fail. I can PROVE the existence of God. But you asked about "religion."

Please be informed that I only type about five words a minute--one arm is paralyzed. Therefore it takes me a long time to answer a question.

Answer 6

Because man is faced with the questions, "Why am I here, What is my purpose?", and "Where am I going?" Most religions attempt to offer some explanation in return for money. Only Jesus is free and without all the baggage. The Gospel should be liberating good news, but many have made it a burden.

Answer 7

Religion means different things to different people, but I've found some common threads....

1) People are searching for something bigger than themselves, whether a god, humanity, nature, whatever
2) Along the same lines as #1, many people want to be part of a community of like-minded people, to have a sense of belonging
3) People are looking for a moral compass

I happen to belong to a Unitarian-Unversalist congregation where members of many faiths come together. The church doesn't abide by a single creed, but welcomes people from all walks of life/creed.

Answer 8

once upon a time there was no improvement in science,
man had lot and lots of delimma in all the matters of
nature and its day to dat activites. they followed some
life styles that hurt others . there were some genious
the had given some innovative ideas to improve the life style of the human beings. they created religion . it was for good things to go.

but after, it is using to some other unwanted things that i dont want to explain.

now a days it is not required for a man

Answer 9

It helps to believe there is "justice" somewhere in the Universe. Otherwise, people would take matters into their own hands more often when unfair and bad things happen. The reliance on a higher being releases that responsibility to someone/something else. It basically makes it easier to sleep at night.

Answer 10

I believe it is fear of the unknown and a means to encourage some sort of order or morality to the masses. I am not religious but I do understand why those who are. It would be lovely if all religions were beautiful ideals of peace and self awareness not hate, judgment and revenge.

Answer 11

We need religion to answer our questions. How else could we find an answer to the creation to life(human or animal.) Man feel the need to be protected. I personally am very deep in religion. But whatever floats YOUR boat.