Why should I accept any religion based solely on faith?

Question

I could just as easily accept any other religion on faith, so what makes one right and the other wrong?
i.e. I could just as soon put my faith in zeus or ra as i could in any other god.

Often faith is spoken about as though it was a virtue, but i do not consider it to be one
People throughout history have put their faith in things which were blatantly wrong eg nazism, racism, and numerous religions now scoffed at by almost everyone.

Also interesting:
When have you ever heard a politician say that people should have faith that he is the best candidate?
When has a scientist ever said that people should just put their faith in his theory?
When have you ever heard someone say that I should have faith that a used car I am buying wont break down?
Probably never.

Religion is the only thing i have ever heard being backed up by someone saying that people should simply put their faith in it, even though history warns us repeatedly that faith can be very dangerous.

Answer 1

I'd say morale is a virtue, not faith. Faith is just something powerful, due to the theory that most thoughts do manifest. If someone thinks only of evil and paranoid cynicism, then of course all they'll see is evil deeds and so on when looking at the world around them, likewise if someone is only focusing on the good, they'll mostly see good deeds being done and feel the world as a very positive place. Faith is basically creating for your own mind a certain power that can drive someone to almost impossible odds. It's the same way that voodoo works in the caribbean. People believe that the curses and spells are working so powerfully in their mind, that they literally have heart attacks and die when a sacrificial ritual is being performed, without any prior physical ailments. This leads me to believe that power of belief is a strong power indeed. Most religions, I can't say all of them, believe in the same things. Morale and goodness. Service and Goodwill towards men. Religion as far as belief in past occurances, that's for the person to decide. But all in all religion would only be a benefit to men, with these beliefs being put into practice in todays world. But it's only the egotistical mind and perfectionism that would take religion out of context. Trying to force a religion on another, or likewise take it away from them. Each person is given their own freewill, even the country of America was built on the ideals of freedom of thought, speech, and that similar. So there's no reason why you shouldn't have your own terms as far as religion or spirituality goes, if even any. There are so many factors that go into why people take upon a certain religion that it'd almost be ridiculous to try to explain it all. One could say peer pressure, Or the need to fit into a group. Due to the fact that everyone around them is in a specific religion. Another would say that the belief of other people would seem so powerful to them, that they'd have no other choice but to believe. Because for some strange reason, when someone else believes something about you, it seems more valid than if you yourself came up with the point about yourself. I could see it as the origin of peer pressure until one grows and acquires charisma this is usually in effect. Everything has it's flaws. Science. Religion. Spirituality. Nothing is exempt. And that goes for both meanings. Nothing is exempt, and Nothing (as an idea) is exempt. So If you're dead and silent, then it no longer applies to you. And since we're all going towards that in the end. Oneness. Then I'd suppose it couldn't make a difference what you believed in between. No where - Now here - and No where. The only difference between no where and now here is Space. I supposed if somewhere in your life, you found room for service to mankind then you're as enlightened as the best of the monks who spend all their lives meditating. Each person has their own destiny, this is both outside of your control, and directly a product of your control. Most things, when you get into the nitty gritty of the logistics of them, seem to cross over into a paradox, the answer of which would only seem to be that all things are connected, even things that seem to be complete opposites. Outside of a human ego's perspective on such a matter. Interesting question.

Answer 2

I don't know if this answers your question or not, but one of the main reasons that I believe in Christianity is that the people who knew Jesus were willing to be tortured to death rather than change their story that they saw Jesus return from the dead.

If the apostles were lying about seeing the resurrected Christ, then why didn't they take back their story when they were individually being tortured to death? Every one of the apostles (Except John, who died a natural death in exile on Patmos), were killed for their faith. Wouldn't a liar recant this story to save his own life?

What did the apostles have to gain by making it all up? What good does fame do for a dead person?

I accept the apostles' story because the witnesses were creditable.

PS: Yes, I have heard the crack about suicide bombers, but the main difference between the modern bombers & the apostles are: (1) the bombers did not see Mommand personally, so they are not eye-witnesses to anything (Unlike Peter, & Paul, who claimed to see Jesus alive with their own eyes and then died rather than take it back); and, (2) the bombers are killing innocent people (others) for their faith, not suffering for it (I assume that blowing yourself up is quick & painless compared with being crucified.).

Answer 3

---Faith? What is it. If someone sees an angel that tells them Jesus is the Son of God and believes because of that, is that faith? Or, more importantly, is it faith that saves? There are stories in the Bible like this - people who were told the truth by an angel or something and then were saved because of it. It wasn't the blind faith that was saving these people, it was their trust and relationship with God after this. See Acts chapter 10 for one of many.
---I think it is sensible to test whether something is true or not before believing it. The question is, does the truth matter to you enough for you to pursue it? Are you willing to call out to God regularly and ask him "God, if you're real, please show me."
---I have many stories to back up my faith if you are interested.

Answer 4

I've never heard that we should have faith in 'religions'. I know that the bible says that "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Heb 11:6

The word faith here means believing in, relying on, trusting in, and clinging to. I would never have faith in a religion, nor should you. Blind faith in man or religion can be harmful. But I challenge you to have an encounter with the living God by simply putting your faith in Him. I have, and I know He's real, and I will have faith in no other.

Answer 5

One way to cut out a lot of religions is to examine the promises that were made, and the prophecies proclaimed.

How many promises has Zeus made to you? What are those promises?

The God of Israel, Isaac, and Jacob promised me eternal life, and a place in eternity.

What scripture of Zeus proclaims this? Or does he proclaim something better? What is it?

Answer 6

your absolutely right

first any religion needs logic at its foundation the faith only comes in when you find what is the truth and you accept what that invokes till you can overtime come to logical understand all of it.

we dont trust our science to faith why should we trust our religion to it

Answer 7

That's why it is called Faith. You just believe. There is no complicated answer to that.

Answer 8

Religion is a way to control the masses....God may exist, but I doubt he really wanted certain things done in his name that have been done...

Answer 9

God gave you a brain for a reason. Use it and search for the truth, whatever that is.

Answer 10

I think you should follow whatever religion you feel is right in your heart.

Best wishes.