...is that why some refuse religion: they've outgrown the need for parents telling them what to believe and do?
2006-09-03 05:20:18 · 23 answers · asked by bobkgin 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Exodus: and are not scientists and doctors viewed as authority figures akin to parents?
2006-09-03 05:25:40 · update #1
WNAD: And that explains why religion is taught to children?
2006-09-03 05:26:32 · update #2
davlynark: "Heavenly Father" yes, a parental metaphor. Thanks.
2006-09-03 05:29:14 · update #3
Sandy: Too true. My apologies for the use of the big brush.
2006-09-03 05:35:06 · update #4
when I was a child I thought childish thoughts.
as a well aged adult I have adult thoughts. when you grow up, you might have adult thoughts too.
both of my parents have been dead for years, I now believe in Jesus as my personal savior.
2006-09-03 05:30:28 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No. Beliefs in any deity are not necessarily rooted in a desire for a "super parent" figure. Not all deitys would fit such a profile! Some can be downright terrifying! Others couldn't care less.
Why accept any teaching at all?
Why do we accept any particular teachings on biology, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, geography, or physics? Because there are some very reputable people who have done a lot of work to come to some very impressive answers on these subjects. These people have managed to demonstrate their answers time and again, in many different ways, thus gaining credibility. Even in the presence of the answers and the proofs given, we are often taking THEIR WORD that their conclusions are correct and factual.
THIS IS AN ACTION OF FAITH. Faith is trust. At some point, we choose to accept the conclusions of a source on some point of information. Otherwise, each individual in every generation would have to re-discover biology, astrology, medicine, chemistry, geology, physics, and etc. Our society would NEVER advance.
Is a person who accepts the disciplines of medicine, or geography, or physics, etc, just some immature person who "needs" to be told what to think and believe? Is a person who completely rejects the disciplines of medicine "more mature" than someone who listens and accepts the advice of their physician?
You decide.
2006-09-03 12:38:42 · answer #2 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most "religions" were created by some human being and many people follow religions because of the innate human need to know God and to follow a leader who has a purpose.
Unfortunately, many people want to pick and choose what they believe to be reality so they pick a religion that will not contradict how they want to live.
Christianity is the only "religion" that speaks about the world as it really is. On the whole, Christians are the most free-thinking and free-acting people of all.
2006-09-03 12:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by plane williams 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting. I never considered that. I totally reject the idea of a father figure in god and I have not had much luck with fathers in my actual life either. Could be a connection.
I do think that there are lots of people who are more comfortable with a parent image in their god - a caretaker. Your own personal Jesus, as it were - someone to hear your prayers, someone who's there...
I don't think it makes a person childish to feel this way - and I think your question implies that. We all clingy to a powerful protective image at times of trouble - and some of us just think of god as a strong white light or energy and not as a personification at all.
Peace!
2006-09-03 12:44:15 · answer #4 · answered by carole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is one main reason, and not only telling them what to do and believe but also looking after them when things go wrong. The other reason is a pathetic attempt to cheat death by pretending they have a soul that carries on in an afterlife. They are living in denial of reality.
2006-09-03 12:24:28 · answer #5 · answered by Gallivanting Galactic Gadfly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL at your questions?? sounds to me like a guilty conscience or an obsession of wanting to change people. I will teach you the serenity prayer long ago learned in the AA program, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." This is a great way to life your life regardless of where you learned it.
2006-09-03 12:31:24 · answer #6 · answered by Cassie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our Heavenly Father watches over us and takes care of us..and He has promised us eternal life...and yes, there are some commandments that you have to follow, which results in a moral life, by the way, but God said that others will know that you love me if you keep my commands and they are not burdensome to you. I love God, and it's not hard to follow Him, after all He has done for me, and it's wonderful not having all the junk in my life that others chose to live in.
2006-09-03 12:26:22 · answer #7 · answered by Judah's voice 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some humans cannot govern themselves, now we have no choice but we used to need a higher power. Thats why accepting a higher power is one of the 12 steps to stop being an alchohaulic.
I'm sorry, we do have a choice. We can leave the nations and got space.
2006-09-03 12:23:53 · answer #8 · answered by windfishfighter 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you know something...i think that the most important thing is not religion but GOD'S presence in our hearts. If we're sincere in everything we do, if we don't like to lie, to cheat, to steal etc.and we praise God we have the best religion in the world, we have Jesus Christ as a model in our lives.
There are a lot of Christians that really don't know what it means to be a Christian, so...we have to act like REAL human beings and not to judge religion, our neighbors...
2006-09-03 12:29:04 · answer #9 · answered by MV 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, is for does that want peace and tranquility in their heart, a point and direction in life, If you don't want anything else from the bible at least live by the Proverbs, you will glad you did.
2006-09-03 12:28:26 · answer #10 · answered by Niguayona 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The same can be said about having a need for a scientist telling us where and from what we came fom.
2006-09-03 12:22:10 · answer #11 · answered by Exodus 20:1-17 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋