Why does a civilization need religion?

Answer 1

it doesn't. rulers and despots do. it helps them control people. look how Dumbya Bush used the christian cult to snow people here in the U.S.

Answer 2

Dear Chesh,

Nice name. Apparently every civilisation has some extra resources to spend that can be used on different leech-like activities. Some of these activies make people feel good, like letting invalids live or not post-partum aborting children like the Spartans. Then you have entertainment activities. These activities don't really contribute much to the survival of the civ, but it does help relieve some stress. Enter religions:

Today, religion doesn't make as much sense because we have television and movies and computers and all sorts of easily accessible entertainment for self-indulgent behavior. If we reduce religion to entertainment, think carefully of what all sorts of entertainment people had over 200 years ago - in particular, think of the poorer 90% of those past populations. So clearly there is entertainment value to religion for someone bored and needing a little rest on Sunday.

Then you have the issue of ethics. How were codes of ethics disseminated before an extensive schooling system? Keep in mind, school was not compulsory before the 20th century. So where do they learn ethics if most people are fairly simple-minded? In fact, people that are not intellectually gifted enough to effectively study ethics in college (quite a few people just in that minority population, actually), then obviously ethics needs to be instilled somewhere else. Religion helps with that.

Religion also helps fill all the knowledge gaps in a culture, so that those that are needy for "absolute truth" can get an anthoritative answer given to them by a more intellectually capable group.

This is not to say that those that have difficulty learning ethics do not have other aptitudes that might be useful to a dynamic society, but it does explain why religion might be needed. Besides, those able and willing to deal with uncertainty seem rare, so what do you expect from cultures that demand answers - even if the answer is unknown in reality. *Someone* has to come up with *some* sort of answer for these needy people that have change to spare!

Viola! Religion.

Answer 3

It is seen as a natural stage in the development of the people. Religion originally is used a method to explain the world and science that is far beyond them at the beginning. The idea of a being or other idols controlling/creating the world is a simple explanation that serves a useful purpose for a few thousand years.

As scientific methods develop, the people begin to understand the actual reason for why things happen. Religion therefore begins to withdraw as the font of all knowledge (a stage the world can be seen as going through right now). Religion adopts a different role at this point. It becomes a moral guideline, telling people how they should live there lives according to the set of beliefs. Conflict starts as this moral code interrupts with scientific methods (stem cell research). The next stage for religion is unknown as we have not reach such a stage, but it is accepted by some that religion will either continue the roll of moral fiber or decline to a point where it can hardly be seen at all in mainstream society.

Answer 4

Because Religion created civilization.

Answer 5

To offer comfort, hope, and strength when things seem bleak. I think that's why most people need religion anyway. Some people don't need it because they've learned to find comfort, strength, and hope within themselves. That's okay, too.

On an ancient Egyptian Temple wall was once written:

The kingdom of heaven is within you; and whosoever shall know himself shall find it.

Which basically means - Don't look outside yourself for the Divine - look inside yourself.

Another great Ancient Egyptian proverb: Man, know thyself ... and thou shalt know the gods.

Answer 6

because there are so many of us till we must be told about our father some kind of way and all people can not except or understand the same concepts if all written one way ,one name maybe GOD made, taught people different religions so he could know where we were calling from and about if there were separatism

Answer 7

Civilization doesn't need religion; it needs Jesus.

Oh by the way, Jesus isn't a religion.

Answer 8

I refuse religion!

I have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's awesome and intense!

Religion is man's way of trying to reach God.

Relationship is God's way of reaching us through Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

Historically, to control the masses.

Answer 10

We're gluttons for punishment