Why do people justify religious beliefs by explaining all the ways their religion makes their life better?

Question

If I for instance said I believed I could fly because it makes my life complete, or it gives me hope, or it makes me treat others well, or I can't imagine my life without it - you'd think I was deranged. What I'm saying is that it'd be socially unacceptable to believe something was true just because of the good effects you experienced from that belief - you'd actually have to demonstrate it WAS true, by providing evidence or argument.

I'm not saying here that nobody defends religious beliefs in other ways, or that they can't be defended in other ways. I'm just saying - what the hell is this particular argument all about?

To be clear, I'm not talking about justifying beliefs to me, or in public debate - I mean about justifying beliefs to oneself. Why don't we need a reason to believe in something? If that's the only reason to believe in a religion you might as well believe you're a billionaire while you're at it - that'd probably have a positive impact in your life too.

Answer 1

...Silence

Answer 2

If a particular belief a person has enriches their lives and gives them a sense of fulfillment and happiness. Then why would they have to defend those beliefs to you or anyone else? Those types of beliefs are very deeply emotional for some. It is easy to justify using scripture for example. One could just bombard another with scripture.

For example a while ago an atheist asked whether Christians would feel stupid if they found out when they died there was no God or they believed in the wrong religion. One really can only argue with personal observations as to how belief has enriched ones life. As if they passed away and there was no God there was some purpose and justification for ones beliefs. There would be no arguement that those beliefs caused the person to live a better life and help others.

Hope that helped

Answer 3

the certainty is there's no clarification using fact there's no empirical data to back up any of those theories. some might recommend the thought of each and every thing? How does that specify how comlex life got here into being. using fact the 1st Urey Miller experiments they have had little achievement in making any style of progression. there is deep issues which upward thrust up. an elementary protein chain demands greater or less a hundred left exceeded amino acids to bond at the same time yet they could desire to be the suited sort of amino acids and the different project is there's no generic mechanism that varieties out the left exceeded amino acids from the suited exceeded ones and that they seem to bond at approximately 50/50 left exceeded with suitable exceeded ones. yet another answerer shows the extensive length of the universe. I agree it is important in spite of the shown fact that it if is a scientific argument it is meant to be falsifiable. How then does somebody pass approximately attempting out an infinately great universe? Many beginning place of life theorists tried to respond to this project via suggesting self company believing some chemical components could have self ordering residences. Dean Kenyon who grew to become into an early recommend of this now refutes this place finding it incompatible with empirical findings and theoretically incoherent.

Answer 4

You begin with saying people justify their beliefs by explaining all the ways it has improved their lives. By your own statement you confirm that 'it has made their lives better'. How do you justify any relationship, but by making reference to how it has improved your life?

You use as a supporting example 'if I could fly'. Believing You can fly and actually flying are two different things. If you demonstrated to me you could actually fly I would not think you were deranged. I can demonstrate to you how God not religion has made my life better. It is not a figment of my imagination.

I would expect anyone that states to me their life is better because of their religious beliefs to have an example to support their statement just as I would ask you to demonstrate to me your ability to fly.

I will close with your last statement "... what the hell is this particular argument all about?"

Answer 5

You have hit the nail on the head, it really is 'socially unacceptable' when any individual attempts to 'prove' any point without using logic, they are looked upon as 'nutters' (which indeed they are)!
The particular argument you are interested in is just one of many 'straws' that religious people clutch at, the whole concept of being a 'better person' because you believe in a load of mumbo jumbo has no logic at all, in fact religion has no logic at all!
And I'm pretty sure that if I was to try and debate this in my local bar, I would soon be 'socially unacceptable' and deservedly so!

Answer 6

Well how else can you justify a belief - that is why it becomes a belief - if not it will be called evidence ya ?

You can't prove God's existence - you got to believe it ya ? More you believe more you get indulged and condition your mind in such way that you trust it so much - it is like looking at a white wall and calling it black so many times, ultimately you see all white as black - this is kind of brain washing in a different way !

Answer 7

I always thought that defense was more along the lines of " Who cares if it is actually literally true, as long as it leads to good things for me and my family"

Which is an almost acceptable argument as long as you ignore certain parts of the bible (stoning disobedient children and the like), in which case why not just say "I'm not a Christian, but I try to like my life in a Christlike way"

But yeah, not so much an answer a equally confused fellow.

Answer 8

I cannot prove what you ask here. I can only point out what has actually happened to me and my friends.

I have at least 2 friends who were told they were going to die by doctors. Both still live (and thrive). This is thanks to prayer and faith in God.

I have a friend who died and came back to life. A stauncher believer in God you have yet to meet.

I myself would be under treatment for psychosis and schizophrenia if I had not been exorcised in 1978.

This is all apart from the countless physical, mental and spiritual healings that go on in my (and other) churches all the time.

Lives are changed. Shackles of guilt, fear and pain are broken. Bodies and minds are made whole.

I were to introduce to you even a few of my friends, you would have your proof.

Answer 9

It is meaningful to those who feel this way. Why can't this just be enough for people? I feel comfort and peace when I am closer to God.....this isn't hurting anyone, so why can't people leave this alone? If I'm deranged then it's my problem....no one else's. I feel better when I drink chocolate milk....why? I like the taste and it comforts me....makes me think of when I was a kid. This doesn't have to be proved in any way or have any more of a deep meaning. Some people are getting all out of whack because someone's faith makes them a better person. Geez....maybe we should string them all up for being better people and being so darned happy. Peace be with you all. :)

Answer 10

We're human...if you have something that helps you, you want to share it and help other people. We all have to start where we are. A lot of people couldn't relate to metaphysical, theological or mystical arguments; they want to know "what good is it here and now?" Like the people who down religions as "pie in the sky and heaven in the hereafter" and say we should be helping the poor and needy and diseased NOW. I agree with this, BTW.
There is a place for profound spiritual discussion and discovery, but most day-to-day people need and want concrete responses they can relate to.

Answer 11

I have a religion but I'm not going to defend my beliefs, why should I? It's mine, and it's there and that's all there is too it. I think people are just too touchy about the whole religious thing. I live my life for me not for others. Everyone should do the same.