Why do people still believe in religion?

Question

Is it because they were brought up that way and don't know any way else to live their lives? Do they believe to seek comfort and try to put some meaning to life? Religion is dying in Western Europe and other developed countries, it's only a matter of time before people wake up and start living in the 21st century. And if I should be religious, which religion should I pick? There are 10,000 different ones out there. Shouldn't that tell you people that religion was created by man to explain the world around them, and not actually something ordained by 'god', otherwise he wouldn't have man practicing 1,000's of different religions to different gods. "Yeah we can't prove the existence of god, we just have faith" - a f*cking stupid motto to live by in my opinion

Answer 1

Because it is there

Answer 2

There are many things about this reality in which we live that we do not have the knowledge or wisdom to understand in their entirety. Religion has always been an attempt to understand life and reality, to put it all into context and give it meaning.

Is it man made or inspired by God? Good question.

Sure, there are many different faiths. However the major religions of history all have the golden rule as their basis: treat other people the way you want to be treated.

As one Jewish scholar once observed in relation to the golden rule: That is the whole of the law, the rest is all commentary.

Personally, though I was raised in a Catholic household I rejected Catholocism as a young child. I was an agnostic with strong atheistic leanings for years. However, for the past 18 years I have held to a new faith.

It boils down to this: I percieve design in the universe around me and that implies a designer.

Answer 3

I think there are a variety of reasons that religion still fills a needed role in many people's lives. I think there is a huge variation between individuals when it comes to how much each person needs each reason to be filled by a religion. One is the fear of the unknown, death, separation from those they love. Other reasons are the need for structure, some people really need an immense amount of rules, boundaries, structure to stay on the path and not get themselves in trouble. Some people believe just because they were raised to believe something and either don't know anything else or would be in a socially awkward place if they opening rejected it. For some it fills a need for a sense of belonging to a community and specialness. I just read a question here where some guy said he knew God was real when in his 30s he went to church and felt so warmly greeted by so many friendly people. I think its a bit of a stretch to find the reality of God in that but it shows how some people think. Religion often provides a sort of support system for people. Other people don't seem to need that support system as much or are able to find it in other places or ways.
I agree with your sentiments and find it frustrating sometimes too. It only really bothers me when they insist on taking over every public sphere with it and cramming it down other people's throats.

Answer 4

What is religion but an organized group of believers that share the same faith. You are apart of a religion of believers or non believers. Just that maybe you don't group together on the weekends. God always have a people from the patriachs of old to Israel to the jews to the chrisitans who were jews called christians because they followed christ. In Revelation 14 it clearly states that near the end the saints will be persecuted those that are followers of christ and keep his commandments and if it is more than one then they share the same faith and therefore they are of one religion. What is your religion?

Answer 5

Well, the foundation of Western Philosophy is Socrates and we only through Plato, since we have nothing of what he may have written. Same goes for Jesus; we have nothing he may have writtn and others stories are taken as verified fact.
Churches (not same as religion or faith) in Europe may be going through a cycle, but dying? Are we not all dying? Maybe Europe is getting ready for something new and exciting?

Answer 6

We choose to believe in God because nothing else about our existence and the world we live in makes any more sense that the explanation of the Word and our faith in it. It takes life to create life, therefore knowing that God is alive in our hearts and in the world around us, it's fair to say that we believe if for no other reason than to be able to commune with God and turn to Him when we're unable to cope or comprehend.

Answer 7

I don't believe in religion. I BELIEVE in GOD.
God did not create these religions.Man did. God gives us choices and a lot of people make the wrong ones. God does not tell us to be religious. He tells us to accept Him as our redeemer and not to worship other gods before Him. There is only one true God,and He is the creator of the universe. He loves all of us and our suffering does not come from Him. It comes from our own foolish choices.
Don't put your trust or faith in any religion.Only put your trust and faith in God.

Answer 8

My question was 'What is the meaning of life?' What is the purpose of living and striving for technology advancement? If everything was all extinct will it matter? This world doesn't make sense.

So started to look at religion for answers. First one was that when we die we will be reincarnated but will not remember what you did in yr last life. Still what is the point of reliving a meaningless life in a meaningless world.

Fortunately for me I found my answer.

Answer 9

I dont live by religion, although I chose to be a christian however, I live by God. as no religion is 100% accurate and you dont need religion to have faith and believe in God and live by what the BIBLE says what is from GOD. We dont just have faith we have the BIBLE and we have ONE GOD. I dont live by any "mottos", I live by what God says in the BIBLE. And I have expereinced God working in my life in many areas and some are unexplainable or to put into words. You will know when you live with Jesus in your life and follow the BIBLE. God would be happy that you believed and had faith and lived by Gods word no matter what religion! Hope this answers your question.
God Bless :)

Answer 10

There is a lot if independent proof that Jesus lived and that he was the son of God.

Which one? I follow the Church that Jesus set up himself.

Just because we have become soft, spoiled, and full of sin, is not a good reason to discount Religion.

People moving away from God does not prove that there is no God, it proves people are getting to full of themselves.

Peace!

Answer 11

morgan p, Life is a spiritual process, the religions of the world have served their purpose in that process and are now starting to melt away.it is time for humanity to rise above the emotions into spirituality."UNCONDITIONAL LOVE".science is now proving that GOD created,ENVISIONED, all of creation,then released it into manifestion through the "BIG BANG" where the process it is still going on today,Some call this process "EVOLUTION" Schools will be teaching,"THE METAPHYSICS OF SPIRITUAL CREATION".More and more people are living in unconditional LOVE. "EVOLUTION" proves GOD exists,"FAITH" is no longer requried.