Isn't religion mainly used to explain the unknown?

Question

Isn't the belief in god usually used to fill in the "gaps"? Be they evolutuonary gaps or gaps in knowlege of things we can't explain yet?
If a person living 2000 years ago where transported to our time he or she would most likely view us as gods only because of a lack of understanding of our technology. Just as some missionaries have been percieved as gods by stone aged peoples.
So doesn't it follow that the main reason for believing in a God is to give us answers to things we don't yet understand?

Things we don't understand could include a meaning for life, the reasons bad thing sometimes happen, what happens when we die. Why we fear. It could cover anything that we don't have knowlege of.

Answer 1

Religion at its best functioning doesn't explain anything that can be explained through science. Religion and spiritual practice and thinking help people find meaning in their lives, an arena that science is ill-equipped to handle. (Just as religion is ill-equipped to answer questions about how species developed or the age of the universe.)

Religion and spirituality focus on the connections we share with one another and with the universe itself. After all, as far as we know, we are unique among creatures in our consciousness of ourselves and of our very large universe. Belief in God is not absolutely necessary to consider the interconnectedness of things, but some people seem to find it useful.

Answer 2

No -- in ancient times, every single religious leader was also a political leader. The Greek Kings, the Japanese Emperors, The Caesars and Moses were all political leaders who claimed to speak with god (or the gods). Why? In order to give them the ability to control the masses.

Even those who did not claim to speak to God used his authority to rule. The French Kings had the motto "Le Dieu et mon Droit" (God is my right). King Henry VIII was another religious leader who was also a political leader.

Religion isn't used to explain the unknown -- it is used to suppress the ignorent.

Answer 3

No, first life isn't about religion though, its about a relationship with Christ. There is a part of us in our hearts that wants to be desired, that knows that there is more to life that work, money, school, and politics or what ever do to find happiness. That is because God created us to have that need for him in our lives.

Answer 4

too right. ppl use it to hold on to , to explain the purpose of life or why things happen etc. but it doesnt does it? what is the 1 q religious ppl hate? 'y does god let bad things happen to good ppl'
when religious ppl get asked that they get all defensive and go on abt gods devine plan.... hello it still doesnt awnser the question .

Answer 5

People with the most complete knoledge of science today still believe in God. So no, you are wrong.

Answer 6

John 8 says that you can only know that truth about Jesus if you do what he teaches.

Maybe you should spend a month doing what he taught if you can.

I assure you that you have a much better understanding about God/Jesus after that month

Answer 7

I think that is a very small part of Religion.

It's main purpose is to explain the known, and make sense of it.

Peace!

Answer 8

Actually it is used to know that which would otherwise be unknown, and which remains unknown to those who do not look to God for the answers.

Answer 9

That is very true, it is simpler to believe in god than to learn about the science behind it.

Answer 10

Of course it is. People fear what they don't know and surch for an explanation. God is the easiest.