which is better as a psychological coping mechanism - rational thinking or religion?
2006-07-30 19:34:29 · 22 answers · asked by Smegma Stigma 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i am agnostic.. i don't rely on religion... I see why others do, they are usually those who can't cope with things in a rational way, so they turn to god... I can't tell you which is better. But i believe if it works for you to think either way, do it.. People who turn to religion are those who were never taught self reliance.
2006-07-30 19:39:11 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they go hand and hand. If you rely too heavily on religion you may be avoiding issues that you need to address. You may "pray" for more money but you should really keep your check book balanced.
Some problems are better dealt with rationally. And religion can provide comfort and rest in really difficult times.
We can get very tired trying to rationalize every event in our life.
Religion need not be the capital "r" institution. It can be a sum of your non-rational feelings and assumptions.
2006-07-30 19:47:10 · answer #2 · answered by San Diego Art Nut 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My God is rational and compassionate and caring and nurturing and gentle and patient and reliable and able to pick me up when I'm down and love me and strengthen me when I'm weak.
Why wouldn't God be rational? Why wouldn't God be able to help us cope? Oh, and by the way, contrary to the popular misconception, serving God is not a lifetime of pain and hardship and struggle and disappointment. That's what you end up in the big middle of when you try to live without Him.
I've lived both ways, with and without God. And looking back I wouldn't even try to live in the world today without the peace and strength and hope and love and gentle touch my God pours out abundantly.
Oh God is rational. More rational than most people realize.
Read Acts 1 and 2 if you want to see rational. Believe in a mysterious God who one never feels or hears or touches? No thank you. But live for the God who spends as much time with you as you want, touches you each time you whisper His name, provides everything you need in abundance, and cares for you more than even we can imagine? You bet! Count me in.
If and when you receive the experience they received in Acts you will know what rational really means. We cannot rely on ourselves. Who are we? What are we? Nothing. To imagine we are in control of our lives is indeed most irrational.
2006-07-30 19:49:55 · answer #3 · answered by AK 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not religion... spiritual thinking
1. existential questions will always require a spiritual outlook because that's just the way humans are. Science is well and good when you have it, but when you dont one tends to attribute natural phenomena to supernatural forces.
2. rational thinking doesnt make one feel better, especially when a person has died.
3. Its nice to think that as long as we dont kill anyone or do anything too incredibly stupid, we can have a decent afterlife.
2006-07-30 19:39:27 · answer #4 · answered by the_quetzal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rational thinking makes the most sense. People tend to use religion as a way out of taking blame when something bad happens and then are thankful fo god if things are good to them.
2006-07-30 20:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by gwad_is_a_myth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me, Jesus is rational thinking! It may seem natural and rational for some people to take control of things or fix things, but really it is all about control, not about faith. Granted God helps those who help themselves, but you also let Jesus take the wheel to help guide you on the journey. I cannot allow circumstances to control me. I give all my struggles, pain, hardship, sorrow, love and happiness to him. I give it to him because I need my sleep, he'll be up all night anyway! :) His mercy is new every morning and he'll lead me to where I am suppose to be.
2006-07-30 19:49:39 · answer #6 · answered by WatchWhatYouSay 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ya, cuz poeple's "rational thinking" has gotten us pretty far as of late "cough iraq war"
If you know the bibile (assuming that you're referring exclusively to christianity when you say "religion") you will see that it actually has very god answers to life's problems. Although many of those solutuions have to do with "faith" and "relying on God" this is still an extremely effective way to deal with problems, as it takes part of the burden off of the person, whether or not the god actually exists or not.
2006-07-30 19:38:50 · answer #7 · answered by Chris K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need both. When you can find a reason for something it is; if not easy to live thru, at least you know why. When there is no rational reason for something you need religion to understand or at least accept that there is a reason and a plan for what is happening.
2006-07-30 19:39:25 · answer #8 · answered by Kenneth H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion doesn't just have to do with coping though. Some of the happiest, successful, and lucky people in the world are religious. You clearly see it as a crutch and have no idea what you are talking about.
2006-07-30 19:37:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I guess it's all upto to you. When the Good men are gone, maybe you will belive maybe not. if so Chisrtians then will be tortured as jesus was and killed off.
Ridicule is not new to us christians, we don't like that one must ridicule us it make us sad to know where you may end up. But for all stones that are thrown at us we are Loved even more and awarded by God. So do your worst.
2006-07-30 19:39:38 · answer #10 · answered by Julie H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋