2006-08-15 00:10:00 · 13 answers · asked by bkesevan 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They're afraid of their existence coming to an end so they convince themselves that they have immortal spirits so that they won't have to worry about it.
2006-08-15 00:15:35 · answer #1 · answered by RH (a.k.a. God) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oddly enough, it works the opposite way from what you're thinking. Religions tailor themselves to humans.
Religious belief systems change over time, as different personalities head them, as events in the world provide new "grist for the mill", etc. Some of those systems never get a lot of adherents simply because they're not very attractive. Others get adherents - and then kill those adherents (Branch Davidian, the suicide cults, etc.). Those systems do not persist.
Other religious belief systems stumble onto features that do make them more attractive, like "we're the special ones", "we have unique understanding, no matter what the experts say", "it is wrong for your husband to leave you", "real beauty is on the inside", etc. Some stumble onto ways to make those features also benefit the religion - "real beauty is on the inside, and it's SPIRITUAL beauty" (in other words, recite this religion's tenets faithfully, and you are beautiful).
A religion persists if it attracts adherents, transmits the religious beliefs with only minor changes to new adherents and to the next generation, and also actively discourages people from leaving the religion. A religion that fails to do those things does not persist. Christianity still exists because it has those features. Enthusiasm for the Macintosh computer seems to have those features as well, and may persist for exactly the same reasons, kind of a quasi-religion.
If you really want to understand why religion is so attractive, read Daniel Dennett's "Breaking the Spell" (source below).
2006-08-15 07:48:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're painting humans with a pretty broad brush aren't you, though? :) Some humans don't have any religion at all, and aren't bothered by it, and other humans were "born Jewish" or "raised Presbyterian" but haven't been to services since they were little kids.
Some people are obsessed with killing people who don't believe the way they do. In the end, killing for "religion" is usually killing to satisfy carnal desires to gain territory or get revenge (can anyone say Middle East?), misusing religion to justify it all.
There's a good obsession, too. Some are obsessed with God the way you'd be obsessed with someone you just fell in love with. Comes a point where you ALWAYS become somewhat dissillusioned with the the humans you love, but with God, it isn't that way.
2006-08-15 12:09:02 · answer #3 · answered by miraclewhip 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All humans are not obsessed with religion. Different humans are obsessed with different things. Obsessions can be positive or negative. I can be obsessed with art, gymnastics, a hobby , love, feminism, and many ,many more. Life is meant to be lived passionately. I am more passionate about some things than others. It is OK. What are you passionate about? You can share your beliefs without being overly critical of others.
2006-08-15 07:34:55 · answer #4 · answered by cathyhewed1946 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all humans are 'so obsessed' with their religion. Religion is a form of control, and many seek control and authorisation. It gives a person with no purpose just that. Purpose, being, a reason to be here.
2006-08-15 07:17:05 · answer #5 · answered by seriouslysublime 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aren't you?
Then you are a heathen........just kidding.
People are obsessed about anything. And only stuff you are obsessed about is worth mentioning here.
This is not the real world.
2006-08-15 07:16:26 · answer #6 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some humans never grew up, and as a result, require stories, rules, and ideas about father-figure type "gods" to keep them calm and functional in daily life.
2006-08-15 07:15:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a good phrase.
"to believe but not over indulgence" as there is a limit to what humans can absorb and a limit to what heaven can tolerate a human who wants to take control over heaven jobs.
karen ng beng hong admirer
2006-08-15 07:23:57 · answer #8 · answered by mercury of love 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the majority of religious people are just brain washed morons. If you grew up being taught that your pet hamster was god you would pray to your hamster like a raging idiot. Its just fools breeding fools.
2006-08-15 07:17:35 · answer #9 · answered by ITS ME 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because Jesus is my life. He freed me from my bondage of sin. And I rejoice for that! How can I not be obsessed?
2006-08-15 07:19:33 · answer #10 · answered by Kayla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋