Why do people base so much of their lives on religions that use facts that can't be proved?

Question

Just people need to use their own thoughts and judgement to guide their lives.

Answer 1

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Answer 2

Well, I'll tell you Mind Warrior .....you're half right.
If something cannot be proved, at best it's a possibility.
However, trusting our own judgement to guide our lives is risky.
It is a bit arrogant to think we always have things right, every time.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is more treacherous than anything...."
A good guidebook from a reliable source is always helpful, don't you agree?

Answer 3

In the human mind, there are two kinds of truth: the arguable and the unarguable. Everybody has both kinds, even you.
The arguable approach to truth is often pragmatic. You gather evidence, use logic, maybe experiment (this is another form of evidence) and come to a conclusion. This conclusion is subject to change in the face of new evidence or better reasoning.
The unarguable kind, called Myth by some thinkers, is the truth that is self-evident to you. An example of this in the U.S. Declaration of Independence: "We hold these TRUTHS to be SELF-EVIDENT, that all men are created equal...." Logic will not change your mind, because logic is irrelevant. We know perfectly well that people have different abilities and live in different circumstances. It makes no difference, they all have the same value.
Individuals have Myths, nations have Myths, religions have Myths. Even you have Myths. Maybe one of your Myths is that all truth is knowable by experience. Maybe one of your myths is that everybody has the right to express his/her opinion in public. I don't know your Myths. If you haven't put a lot of thought into it, you may not know all of them either.
Your question is about religions. If somebody insists on the truth of some religious statement and will not be persuaded otherwise, it is because a Myth is involved. Take the literal belief in Adam and Eve. It is not that Adam and Eve are that important to anybody. It is the Mythical concept of God and God's method of manifesting to humans. If you could persuade a believer in Adam and Eve that God did not endorse this belief, he/she would drop Adam and Eve. The real Myth is God, not Adam and Eve.
So you can see: the reason people base their lives on truths that cannot be proved is that the truths on which anybody bases his/her life can never be proved.

Answer 4

People need to be comforted. In our western society, religion used as a social group to convince people to do good for themselves and their fellow man. Don't get me wrong, their stories all have good morals and present good examples, but to call them facts and base your faith off of them should be viewed as total disregard for the bettering of man. Take the lessons in as guidelines and live your life. Don't worry about death until death happens. Help yourself and help others. Make what you have now the best possible. Yourself and those around you will be thankful.

Answer 5

"Faith is often the boast of the man who is too lazy to investigate." - F. M. Knowles

Because it's easier to say "God said so" than to figure out how they should be living on their own. In the churches they call it a "Flock" for a reason. Some people are happy being sheep, and being fleeced. It frees them up from making decisions on their own and taking responsibility for their own thoughts and actions.

Answer 6

First of all a fact is a piece of information which has been proven.

People who do this have what is called FAITH. The gospels aren't true stories. They are faith documents. They were put together by people who saw and touched Jesus, in order to give us faith that they did see him and that he did believe.

Not everyone believes but it is important to have some belief system in your life

Answer 7

Your opinion is they can not be proven. When we are children our parents instilled morals and values upon us based on thier knowledge, thoughts and judgement. If that included religoin why is that wrong? I have chosen to use the teachings of Chirst and my family to guide my life.

Answer 8

Facts CAN be proved. That's why they are facts. ;o)
No seriously, look at islam. In the Quran it talks about space travel, the rose nebula, the earth being spherical, etc.

This site is a starting point if you wanna see what I mean. www.beconvinced.com
But of course books are always better. :)

Answer 9

A fact that cannot be proven is a theory. Since you don't seem to actually be asking about Atheists and their theories that cannot be proven (IE evolution) I assume you mean the Mormons. It is true that no location or city unique to the book of Mormon has never been found. It is quite strange that people believe it.

Answer 10

I think because it's just so scary to use your own judgement.

When we were kids we had parents to guide us. As adults we want that same comfort (and that same 'ultimate lack of responsibility'). It's really understandable that people get comfort from religion! It's just...not the best thing for em.

Answer 11

If God has sealed your heart, who am i to unseal.

45:23 Then seest thou such a one as takes as his god his own vain desire? God has, knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart (and understanding), and put a cover on his sight. Who, then, will guide him after God (has withdrawn Guidance)? Will ye not then receive admonition?