I have noticed, frequently, that when a religious question (or answer) takes an intellectual turn; the answers stop flooding in or stop altogether. This leaves me to believe that many have merely and emotional attachment to faith and not a reasoned or enlightened one.
2007-01-15 11:18:01 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think your intuition is probably correct. The most basic aspect of religion is faith. Faith is NOT explaining, NOT reasoning, NOT trying to comprehend. Faith is pure acceptance. Many people accept the religion of their parents or their nation without looking for any understanding. That would fit your description of a merely emotional attachment. How many Methodists can tell you why they are not Presbyterians, to use a more narrow example? How many call themselves by a religious connotation only because it was the church they were raised in. I wonder how many of us have ever studied religious teachings to find a Faith that is meaningful to ourselves? Very few, I'm afraid.
2007-01-15 11:28:11 · answer #1 · answered by David M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that is because people of faith are put on the defense by some of the harsh tones and down right rudeness of some of the questions, that they are reacting through their emotions. Happens to us all.
It's possible that some people do have an emotional attachment to faith but that doesn't mean others don't believe on an intellectual bases. They both go hand and hand after all since for most people religion is not something they do but something they are.
2007-01-15 19:28:12 · answer #2 · answered by BrutalBaby 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My answers are usually very intellectual, and I've noticed that they're almost universally ignored. Atheists are only marginally more willing to engage their gray matter in these questions; most of them are emotionally attached to their atheism, too.
2007-01-15 19:29:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aww now, I hope you didn't mean that as a derogatory remark. There are many who come here that are new to the faith and so yes, their faith is mostly emotionally-based. The enlightenment and reasoning come later :)
2007-01-15 19:23:02 · answer #4 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at the "God of the Gap" argument of Intelligent Design. It requires that intellectual inquiry cease so that ones deity is not diminished further.
2007-01-15 19:40:03 · answer #5 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the most complete treatment of the Christian faith in all of human history, by one of the greatest theologians (probably the greatest) of all time, go here:
http://www.newadvent.org/summa/
Bona Petite!
2007-01-15 19:31:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are absoultely right - it's an emotional addiction --- having a religion can let you off the hook for doing things that you know are wrong; it's a way to avoid taking responsibility for your life. good or bad, you can always blame, or thank god; it's quite convient. it also seems that people become attached to a faith because it was taught to them (by people who are subject to the same condition)
2007-01-15 19:27:35 · answer #7 · answered by -skrowzdm- 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I disagree. It's because I'm not here all the time.
Ask away... get as "intellectual" as you like... Send me an e-mail... I'd be happy to debate with you.
2007-01-15 19:22:23 · answer #8 · answered by Christian Paragon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is entirely correct. Faith is the opposite of reason, and is hence inherently evil: the only distinguishing characteristic of H. sapiens is the ability to use reason, and if you reject that, you are no better than an animal.
2007-01-15 19:23:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Rom 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
That becasue they do not read or hear the Word Of God
2007-01-15 19:25:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋