Why Do People Buy Into Religion?

Question

Yes, I know that man fears the unknown and death and the insignificance of his own existence, so he chooses to place his faith in a deity that provides meaning, etc. However, how can people argue so vehemently against logic, rationality, and plain fact? I'm not attacking Christianity, especially as the lessons Jesus taught were basically "let's all get along", which is good common sense. I just want to know why many religious (NOT spiritual - there's a difference!) people feel so strongly about a religion they only believe in because they were socialized to do so, especially when the teachings of that religion contradict plain fact. Please (and I think most people, religous or otherwise, will agree with me here) do not quote from the Bible in your answer.

1. I asked that people not quote from the Bible as I wanted thought-out answers, and quoting the Bible is begging the question.

2. I'm not "knocking" anyone's religion, and I think the burden of proof - as far as that goes - is on those who attest to a being that rationality and observation cannot experience. Yes, God COULD exist, just as unicorns COULD exist, but I'd like to see some kind of proof of a unicorn's existence before I believe in it.

3. The Bible does not constitute proof. It has been modified countless times over the centuries. I'm not going to touch the question of its original veracity.

4. Religion can absolutely be a positive influence. The pressing question is why people can't simply use the positive, rational aspects of Christianity, such as love thy neighbour, etc., and leave the rest?

Answer 1

The answer is, people need religion, moreover, 80% of people need something other than themselves to point them in the direction they want to go. Many people are too caught up in trying to function in their daily lives to actually contemplate the answers on their own. So most people leave the thinking up to consensus, or people they see as more qualified. This is due to an evolved function that teaches us to mimic one another, the reason we mimic the other, is to save time on the learning curve, and to fit in better with one another.

The reason people get so tied up in religon is because of the structure of the mind, and its methods of beliefs. the prefrontal cortex is almost like a computer simulator, where we use beliefs and perceptual events, to simulate something that may or may not happen.

our beliefs also form our perception of the world, and also guide our decision making processes. many people fail to realize this, but, if all your thinking about is a particular belief, it will guide your decisions toward those beliefs. So quite literally, think about something enough, and eventually it will be so. But in the case of God, they believe that God made it so, instead of themselves.

The prefrontal cortex also acts somewhat like a computer program.beliefs fall into self re-inforcing structures, which optimize the thinking process, and also acts as an cognitive immune system. if your beliefs conflict with each other, your decision making process will break down, like a program with too many errors. the example being the people who have conflicting beliefs systems often times suffer from mental disorders because of it.

Answer 2

Memetics explains why a person "buys into" a religion. Most become religious as children, and that in and of itself explains a lot. Reasons for staying can be explained by memetics and psychology.

I deconverted earlier this year. Intense fear is involved in losing one's faith. It was likely the most intense emotional fear I have ever felt.

First, there's the meme of religion itself. Take a child, raise that child to believe that they will go to hell if they don't believe this, then after two decades of that meme having residence in their brain, try to remove it. It's a scary thing. You end up second guessing yourself constantly when you question your religion. Am I making God mad at me? Will he punish me? I'm not sure, and I want to ask questions - but what if I'm wrong and I turn others away? And so on and so forth.

Then, once you have decided that you don't believe it anymore, there are more reasons to be in distress... because changing a worldview means so many things - for me, it means lifestyle change. It means changing politics. It means reexamining every position I hold, because a religious person holds many of their positions at least somewhat based on their beliefs. It means thinking differently. It means a vast influx of learning. It means worry about what loved ones will think and how they will treat you. It means so, so many things.

There are two choices when confronted with fear over faith - you can run, and that was the urge for me... or, you can realize that the truth is not afraid of scrutiny, and you can look for the truth - whatever that may be.

Answer 3

I am an atheist. I believe that adults are like children who are scared to say there is no Santa Claus for fear of repercussions. Also, many people never really think about us rotating around the sun or how incredible our universe is. They live day to day without much thought about the world around them.People naturally want to belong to a group and religion is one they can belong to with a lot of passion. Religon in alot of countries is the government. We are fortunate here that this is not the case.

Answer 4

There are those reasons but there are others as well where one has been sparked into a journey by the deep reflection on the mystery of existence and the nature of suffering. '3 Pillars of Zen' provides an excellent description of some of those who have embarked on a path of spirituality where theology and belief were not the cornerstone but, instead, direct realization was.

Answer 5

I will not argue religion, you either accept or reject it. And you are right Jesus did teach alot of good things to people ,which still applies today.I wouldn't think of quoting from the bible, because you don't believe it anyway. I hear more agruements by non-believers on Yahoo, than Christians.

Answer 6

As you implied at the beginning - religion serves a human need. We are taught to depend on it from a very, very early age. I've seen some religious people who are extremely open minded, tolerant, friendly and, basically, just trying to do the best they can. I've also met people who have abandoned all reason and logic.

But, then, what the heck do I know ...

A

Answer 7

Simple. They are brainwashed. It's like being rasied in a family of racists. Their beliefs become your beliefs and become the norm. Once you believe in something so strongly for so long (regardless of what it is or how absurd), little can be done to break your focus. This includes logic, rationality, and fact.

Answer 8

"Buy into"?

I don't buy in to religion, I find religion stiffling... However Faith in Jesus Christ, Crucified and RESURECTED. I get right in to.

I am glad your not baggin out my Lord and Saviour, and even admit His words have merit.

Religion is safe, it is known it is a pattern it remains the same and even though the (sorry) the Bible does say Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. It does not mean the way he does things is. As there are many examples of where this is shown. (However with respect to the question asker I will only put in one bible reference).

Religion is usually about working for salvation, it is about regimented things that must be done. I choose to do those things with God beside me all the time, cause He keeps it fresh, He gives me wisdom beyond my years. Relationship with God is far better than better stuck in a religious rut that includes, a new preacher being unable to move the piano/ organ for fear of loosing half the congreagation over it!!?!!? tell me that's not religion. Religion is also usually based in Law it is very black and white, with little room for God to move and teach you how to show Grace, Mercy and love for all men. (Oh I won't to quote another verse) Sorry.

My faith is so ingrain, My relationship with Jesus is as real as the one I have with my husband.

But religion is something I strive to avoid. However for argument sake I state that I am a Christian. I believe Christianity is vital for life.

Answer 9

Religion is a cheap whore. A quick fix for the crime of not having all the answers. It it man's attempt to rise above the bug that squashes on his windshield. The fact they are usually programed from birth lends itself to loyalty. It is always False.

Answer 10

If people are in a 'religion' because they were socialized to do so, then yes, that is totally wrong.

But I think that you assume that most of us who proclaim a religion of any kind are because of socialization, and that is simply untrue. Almost all the people I know in my own religion chose it because of their belief that it is true for them.

James (and yes, it's in the Bible) said that pure religion, undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.