Why Do Poor People Cling to Religion?

Question

I know that there are many middle-class and affluent religious people, but why is it that such a high percentage of poor people so religious? You go in their houses, it's catholic toys everywhere. They refuse to eat their stale bread and canned beans until the whole family holds hands and pray. ((I'm not trying to generalize, it's just a general pattern I've seen with my friends who struggled with poverty)). It's ridiculous. Why would they believe in a god? It doesn't seem like "god"'s really helping them out much. Shouldn't poor people be more realistic and practical (not letting religion restrain them from doing what they have to do to get by, provided that it's legal)? **I KNOW THAT MOST POOR PEOPLE WORK HARD**, but some would rather sit on their busted sofa, praying with a bead necklace in their hands and wait for their welfare check.

Answer 1

Excellent question. I have noticed this too. It gives the poor comfort to believe in a better [after]life, and they're the most in need of comfort, any kind of comfort. I do not begrudge or judge. But here's a crazy idea - what if we stopped believing in all this wishful thinking and concentrated on alleviating poverty instead? Like, what if the Vatican were rendered superfluous and disgorged its massive wealth to the poor? That's a good start.

Answer 2

I sure do feel pity for you. You think you know so much, but your ignorance is so obvious, it's depressing. In the first place, religion is not going to save anyone, poor or rich. Only by believing on Jesus Christ,and being obedient to him will anyone escape the terrible judgement that will come upon this earth. You refer to Catholics and their toys, beads, etc. Catholics are idolators. Any true Holy Spirit filled Christian knows this, just as they know religion will not save you. There will be a lot of religious people in Hell,along with rich people, arrogant people, athiests, agnostics, and anyone else that chooses to ignore the Word of the true Living God. As for God not helping people, what is your idea of Him helping ? Giving people lots of money so they can go and buy everything that their heart desires and put all of their faith in riches and money as you so obviously do? According to you, even saying grace over what someone eats is an act of foolishness. People bless what they eat before eating as an act of thanksgiving to God. Stale bread and canned beans would look pretty good to a homeless person who has nothing to eat. Struggling with poverty is a problem that a lot of people face. Does that mean that they should turn their back on God? It is plain to see that you have an Antichrist Spirit,and the one you serve is happy to see it, I'm sure. I'll pray that you find the truth before it's too late. Noone is promised tomorrow, and everyone's days were numbered before they were born. It's sad that people like you and the rest of the athiests that use this website have to get on the Religion and Spirituality page to vent your resentment of people that truly love and fear God! I repeat - I sure do feel pity for you.

Answer 3

for the first time, they have nothing to lean on but God. they realize that God became vulnerable for them. they realize that there's more to life than the mess and the pain. there is God. and his gift. maybe the mess doesn't go away, but there's someone there to endure it with them.

the bible says that it's more difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than it is for a camel to enter the eye of a needle. why is that? because when you're rich, you don't think you need anything. you start getting cocky, thinking that you've made your own wealth, not realizing that God has blessed you.

it's said that a laborer or poor person has a restful sleep, but the rich man can't keep his eyes shut. he has so much, that he's constantly worried that someone may take it away from him. think about it this way... if you had a beat up, 13 year old honda, and got in an accident, but didn't get injured, you'd be thankful that you weren't hurt. but if you had a brand new corvette, and got in the same type of accident, (and weren't hurt) you'd be thinking, "oh no! my car!!"

poor people may, as you say, "cling" to religion, but those same poor people have a peace that more wealthy people don't have.

Answer 4

Being rich doesnt really have anything to do with money. I have a lot of wealthy friends that are more religious than I am and I make less than $25,000/yr. I'm rich because I have a beautiful family that I love and I know they love me and I honestly could not do anything without them. So technically speaking, my family is my religion. I have a job a wonderful fiance a cat and a dog and could not be any happier.

Answer 5

You just answered your own question. They believe in god because they are poor, and helpless. They find comfort in knowing that there's someone "up there" watching them and taking care of them (even if thats not true). Its the same reason a higher percentage of black people than white people believe in god. They just HAD to, because of slavery. Christianity was passed down to more and more african american families. Thats why you don't see that many black people that aren't religious.

Answer 6

Because the bible is loaded with verses on how God has favor with poor people. One of my favorite verses is Psalms 113:7-8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. Also for your info - I do work my butt off putting in 8-12 hours each day & I am still poor & not on welfare !!!!!!!

Answer 7

Because God is all they have and that puts them in their compfort zone.Even though they have nothing,they still have God to pray to and God gives you hope.Going to church also helps the poor because they have a place where they belong and people care about people at church.Poor people do work Hard.
They just can't get out of the slump,once they do,it clear sailing for most.

Answer 8

Having faith is all any of us have. God never puts more burden on us than we can bear. So while they are eating their stale bread and beans, they are thankful because some people have nothing.

Answer 9

Yes , have you considered that many of them come out on top because of their prayers. Never try to take a person's HOPE.

Answer 10

It's called hope.
We all cling to hope in some form or another.
Religion is just one way to do it.