Religion and hardship?

Question

Why is it that so many people become religous during or just after times of great difficulty and hardship eg. relationship trauma, exposure to extreme violence, depression etc?

What does this mean? Why do more "on-top-of-the-world" types not suddenly become devout and does this not lead one to think that religion is merley a temporary crutch for those going through a hard time?

Im not religous and have often wondered about this...

Answer 1

It sounds like you are just looking for people to re-affirm your "religion-is-a-crutch" beliefs, and the answer your are looking for is "people become religious during hardship because they are weak and need comfort." I personally believe that its a little more subtle than that.

No human can really control what happens to them. There are lots of things you can do to improve the odds, but in the end you, or your loved ones, could be hit with death, suffering, and sorrow at any time and with no warning.

This lack of control tends to make any sane person extremely uncomfortable (i.e. terrified), so many people unconciously decide to live in denial of this reality and pretend that they are in control of their destiny and that future events will all work out well if they just do the right things.

When someone suffers a hardship this illusion of control is challenged, and an intelligent and perceptive person realizes that their fate is not at all in their hands and that the events in the universe are shaped by something, be it some entity (like god), or some process (like evolution) or fate, or whatever, that is much bigger than them. The perceptive person realizes that they are just, to quote a song about this exact subject, "dust in the wind" when compared to the sheer granduer and scale of evolution/god/life/reality/the universe, or whatever you are most comfortable calling it.

Perceptive people, when their eyes are opened to their relative insignificance and lack of control in the great scheme of things, tend to be awed by the power and majesty of the greater reality outside themselves, and they tend to be thankful for all the good things that this greater reality has given them. These feelings of awe and gratitude tend to lead to adopting religion and prayer, since our religious traditions have a well developed set of ways of expressing these feelings of awe and gratitude (prayer), and methods for accepting our lack of control instead of denying it.
Note that this also applies to religions that don't strictly believe in "god" like Buddhism.

I believe that the "top-of-the-world" types you refer to who don't become devout during hardship simply lack the psychic courage to let go of their illusion of personal control and accept the terrifying reality of their true place in the universe. They are so terrified of not being in control of things that even when the evidence is hitting them in the face they stick with their policy of stubborn denial.

Answer 2

I guess because believing in something can make your life worth living.

I personally do not believe in God, however I know many that do, and they say it gives them a purpose in life, a reason to get up in the morning to know that God exists.

In hard times, people may not have anybody looking out for them, so a belief in God can provide comfort. They will feel they are not alone in their struggles, and that whatever happens they will always have someone to love them unconditionally.

It can be a crutch, but it is certainly a preferable one to other coping mechanisms, like alcoholism and drug use.

I find that it really helps people, because they will often meet likeminded believers in their local church, etc, who will become their friends and will often do more to soothe their wounds than any belief will. Perhaps it is the feeling of community that draws many people to faith and the church, as well as the devotion to God?

And finally, I do not think there is anything wrong with people being encouraged to do good, many troubled people will go on through church charities to help others in similar positions.

The only thing I resent is religious groups who pray on those in trouble. I think religious groups should stay out of conflicts and disaster areas, simply because it is their aid these people need, and not spiritual guidance. So feel free to help and be someone's friend, but don't shove a bible in someones face. It says more when someone converts in their own time and on their own conclusions, than through the pressures of another.

Answer 3

you're obviously only looking at one side there are lots of ppl who become religious without it there being a trauma involved its just that anything bad always gets more attention as to the 'on top of the world' types...there are lots of religious ppl who are rich and powerful its just that being that way isn't exactly cool or acceptable in today's society so they aren't highlighted as much as the celeb's who drink, drink, party and cheat on their spouses....one thing you have to understand is that religion is not a crutch it is not for the weak...you try living an honest and decent life in this society and see how difficult it is. give you a new respect for those that do and it might not be so easy to judge them if they fall...i mean really they are only human

Answer 4

because of the fact, many times maximum church homes are corrupt or extremely defective, tremendously in the historic situations. extra presently the reason lies with the human beings. as an occasion, the Muslim suicide bombers who're particularly energetic those days come from a, usually, non violent faith yet there are some who would use passages from their Holy e book (many times those are taken out of context or twisted in some way) with the intention to make human beings sense they'd desire to alter into extremists. no faith is harmless because of the fact perception, uncooked and strong perception arouses passions in the hearts of guys and each so often they sense the would desire to start up a conflict. NO-you may nevertheless sense extra SORRY approximately THIS THAN THE DEITY IN question. it isn't the religion however the specific believer. you in basic terms have something against faith. what's it, in case you're sincere with your self? worry? Jealousy?

Answer 5

You are so right. Many people who are at the end of their rope turn to God, because they don't have any other hope. They suddenly remember that their might be hope and it only can be God. A lot of good has come of it. But way to often, once things have turned to normal they forget about him til the next disaster.

Answer 6

Interesting question. I remember reports of churches being filled to capacity after 9/11.

I wonder if it has something to do with the need not to feel all alone in the world when you're struggling with something?

Answer 7

During times of hardship you learn more about life and possibly God that's why people become religious during or after times of hardship.

Answer 8

I'm pretty much on-top-of-the-world and I still believe. It has never been a crutch for me. It's part of my life. My life is great.

Answer 9

Schizophrenic mental disorder are sometimes triggered by traumatic experiences.

Answer 10

suffering