Do we need religion because we need something to believe in?Do we need someone to follow?
2006-11-04 09:04:02 · 27 answers · asked by Max 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This link will explain it...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology_of_religion#Evolutionary_psychology_of_religion
2006-11-04 09:07:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I don't believe humans need religion. I think some have been conditioned to think they need it.
People have worshipped the sun, the weather, and in Australia, the magnificent Ayers Rock was prayed to as if it were a god by Aboriginals.
It is comforting to believe that a loving, old, wise man with a white beard called God is "looking after us", although mere observance of life would convince you that this simply isn't so.
Religions contradict themselves, and no priest can explain why a blameless baby should die by being battered to death by a stepfather, or starve through lack of food.
In the end, I believe we must be responsible for our own lives, as much as we might wonder at the beauty and intricacy of "Nature".
2006-11-04 17:12:50 · answer #2 · answered by simon2blues 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans do not need to believe in anything. Throughout history societies or cultures have tried to understand the world around them and what happens to those who die, is there an afterlife?So cultures came up with ideas that made sense to them,that explains the unexplainable, and follow those who seemed to have knowledge of the unexplainable and unknowable.
God does not need man,but God the Father is needed by man. He is the Creator God.We have a unconscious desire within us to connect to to the Divine.
2006-11-04 17:57:20 · answer #3 · answered by Faith walker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh dear, some people need religion because they were brainwashed into it, usually at an early age. Some people need religion because they were vulnerable, and were suckered into it while they were low. Some people need it because they are scared witless of the fire and brimstone, hell and damnation threats if you don't follow the rules. Some people need it to forgive their continuing sins throughout life. Most people need it because it offers gold, diamonds, a comfy chair, everlasting joy and happiness when they die.
2006-11-04 19:18:36 · answer #4 · answered by Musicol 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It gives humans something to focus their energy on, it is often used as an excuse for "sinful" behavior. Try to think of a christian you know who hasn't committed a deadly sin, exactly you can't, but their excuse for their behavior is that god will take care of them when their time comes so you aren't allowed to judge them now. Religion was created by "man" and has since been in practice mainly for mass control. The more people you have to believe in one thing the easier it is to control the outcome of their lives. They will be more likely to follow your teachings if they are comfortable with you...easiest way to do that?...get as many people to believe you as you can. Most humans as individuals lack enough substance to carry themselves through life. Everybody wants to know why we are here, what is the point, where did we come from...since we can't exactly answer those questions they make up characters and stories to follow and tell themselves that they will get their answers when they die if while alive they believe someone is there to care for them and they live their lives they way they think this God would want them to. But if you pay attention really closely to these so called religious people...you just might see them for what they really are...afraid!
2006-11-04 17:19:24 · answer #5 · answered by Passionfire 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe that the main reason most people need religion is for the code of ethics that is entailed in the faith.
Most people miss this concept these days, and think that apologizing to God or praying is a get-out-of-jail-free card. That's not the purpose of religion. Its purpose is to instill a system of values that leads to an ethical way of living.
2006-11-04 17:11:53 · answer #6 · answered by neogeoloco@sbcglobal.net 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I never needed/wanted religion at all. It's for the follower-type people who need something to believe in to get through their lives. They use it to explain things they can't understand.
In regards to the church: its a way of getting followers and thus, power.
2006-11-04 17:30:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It salves an otherwise seared conscience with a few sparks left in it. I'm not religious. Belief and religion are two different things. That's why some of the biggest hoods, murderers, and schemers, attend on some outward form ... religiously!
2006-11-04 17:07:06 · answer #8 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
To have guidance to stay on the right path and with other christians as well. It is not that we "need" religion, it is God we need but if any type of religion helps us to get closer to God and with and for others, it is all good. Jesus says int he Bible to go with you fellow followers and worship and pray together.
2006-11-04 17:07:25 · answer #9 · answered by yeppers 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
People have a need to not be responsible for their own lives, I guess. One explanation is that, since life is usually so awful, they need something to cling to. Like the idea of heaven, where you get a mansion, and all your cares and woe are removed. But you have to be dead for that to happen, so what's the point?
2006-11-04 17:08:34 · answer #10 · answered by ReeRee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a cop out. People can't accept that they came from billions of years of refinement, which also means there is no afterlife.
Religion is used for control of the masses, but for the individual it's the easiest way to answer the meaning of life, and what happens when we die.
2006-11-04 17:07:40 · answer #11 · answered by Duffmuff 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋