Do you think religion is a way for humans to explain something they really don't understand?

Question

If you think deeply about existence it is really mind boggling. Evolution is a good scientific theory, but so what; what was there before the primordial ooze and where did it come from? Different world religions partly exist make people feel comfortable with their exisitence and the existence of the universe - most claim to be "true" to the exclusion of all other religions. Of course, not all religions can be true, so it seems that religion is mans way of dealing with an impossible question.

Answer 1

Science, philosophy, and religion are all attempts to explain things we don't understand and deal with impossible questions. I like all three.

Answer 2

That's absolutely right. I use the Ancient Greeks as a good example of this. They saw lightning in the sky and were so amazed by it that they just couldn't believe it had a purely natural explanation. So they determined that lightning must be the result of Zeus getting angry. But obviously, as the years went by, we realized that lightning is a normal occurrence and doesn't involve any deities at all -- there's nothing supernatural about it.

Pretty much all religions of the world work in the same way. They attempt to explain things that might otherwise be unexplainable. But the thing is, as human civilization moves forward and knowledge increases, we find out how certain things REALLY happened -- and that's when it becomes rather silly to keep holding onto those ancient explanations.

Answer 3

We have several approaches to the incomprehensible: religion, philosophy and science. At one time they were one and the same. Eventually philosophy looked for answers that did not requires the gods intervention in every detail of existence. Natural philosophy, inquiry into the nature of things, eventually became science. Science has a vast scope now. Philosophy of abstract matters is well matured. Both have unanswerable questions which remain the realm of religion. Unfortunately, science and philosophy take time to learn and religion can offer quick answers.

Answer 4

Yup! The universe is so big and humanity's just one drop in the pond so to speak. We're only one part in a very big world so that it's impossible for any one person to immediately understand everything all at once. Not only do individuals have to learn about their world as they grow in their lifetime, but humanity itself has to learn over the course of time.

Nobody can fully say if we'll ever understand everything or not. We can only hope and try to explain things as best we can in the meantime. Religion is something that is frequently used to fill in the gaps to explain things until scientific means can explain it more solidly.

For example, let's take lightning. We all know what lightning is in this day and age. It's simply a common weather phenomenon, the giant big brother to static electricity. But think about way back in the days of ancient Greece and Rome, back when their pantheon was not just a bunch of weird myths, but actual religion.

If a person was struck by lightning in those days, they usually didn't make it considering they didn't have the medical knowledge and technology that we do now. As a result of not understanding lightning and how it could strike some people and not others with typically fatal results, people in those days feared it. They thought that lightning was the weapon of Zeus/Jupiter.

Anyone who was struck by lightning was thought to have incurred the wrath of the king of the gods for some reason or another. If they died, they weren't given a proper burial as they incurred the wrath of the gods and were struck down by them. And if the gods were displeased with the person struck down by lightning, they didn't deserve a burial in the name of the gods they angered.

Seems silly now, but people really did think that all those millennia ago before the rather recent advent of electricity and the understanding of how lightning worked. So until lightning and electricity was understood, people believed that lightning was the weapon of the gods, striking down those who displeased them. Just one example of religion being used to explain something completely natural until science uncovered its secrets as something natural, not supernatural.

Answer 5

You can not find one evolvelutionist that can agree 100 % either. Now you ask do we think Religion is a way for humans to explain something they really don't understnad. You are so wrong my friend, I Understand there is many religion But only One Trueth, & I take my faith all the way back to the Apostles of Old, I don't need to undersatnd religion, But I do understand SALVATION, you see, there is a difference, OF WHICH (YOU) DON"T UNDERSTAND, Sorry, you lose again

Answer 6

yup since ancient times whatever man did not understand or know was termed to be doing of god. also to deter people from wrong-doing he was created although people are not so fearing now. they felt there must be some force governing earth and eveyone or what is point of existence. also things like intition prophesy all this is proof of this force. also when people feel lonely and helpless and have no option they feel comforted by the belief that God is with them and protects them also to make people more humble and regular before chuches were one of the few places or excuses where people woud meet.
else you can study all religions and believe the one which is most convincing. i'll stick with Hinduism as it is a philosophy its so diverse we dont have to place our faith on a single person or ritual

got it?

hope this helps

Answer 7

Religion gives a teaching of the basic principles of that particular organisation. With God, nothing is impossible. Organised religion is important to some who need to learn and worship the teachings. We are human and being so, we need substantial documentation before we believe in something, at least most do. I don't, I believe in God and if you look around you at the sunrise, flowers, animals; do you need more proof of the Creator? Faith is the evidence of things not yet seen and yet believed.

Answer 8

im not sure you ever studied religion if you think its the easy way
science is simple just say we evolved , if they say please explain its all about darwin right
the bible has got divergent versions that you simply have to know ,then theres the origonal scroll ,gnostic texts ,genisis debates the bible takes more study than science could ever agree on ,science is trying to create evolution from theory,
it hasnt any testable proofs like how many egsamples they show
5 or 6 debateable ones of crossbreeding of species
one of thier egsample proofs is a horse and a donkey mating for gods sake
related species can inter breed
thinkl about it.

Answer 9

No, I think people expect religion to open up mysteries that we haven't found out how to open up for ourselves yet. Sometimes it's good to go back to Cogito ergo sum (I think, therefore I am). You exist. Suck it up and get on with life. Religion is more concerned with what kind of life that will be.

Answer 10

Yes absolutely, that is why it is not so popular anymore (as already stated by someone else). As people become more educated, they are realizing this.

It is also a reason why you see strong religious beliefs amongst people who are less educated, and you see religious schools not teaching evolution, etc. They would eventually lose customers.