Are religious people ignorant to tangible realities when they place too much value in their faith?

Question

I am an agnostic and am interested reason for religious inclination. My girlfriend is a practicing Catholic, I asked her a question the other day, it was "What would you do if you were told by the pope that in order to be accepted into heaven you had to disown your family?" I was horrified when she basically said "I would disown them".
The reality is that she is not the only religious person in the world who feels that that their faith should be above all things. How can a rational person put that much faith in a religion that has involved hundreds of years of human intervention & possible manipulation?
Further to this confusion, I am perplexed as to how religious people can claim their faith is correct, when they have no knowledge of any religion bar their own?
What I would like is answers from people of different faiths on the limits they place on their faith (eg: would you kill loved ones if you thought god wanted it?). Also how you can logically be dedicated to one religion?

Thanks to all that have responded so far. Just an update on the girlfriend side of things.... When I went through the mass number of attrocities committed by men under the name of the church and the abomination that is the richest institution in the world.... I think she now agrees that religious view point should be based wholey on ones own convictions and not those which are forced upon her by others. Something I hope that many people can learn as is evident by some of your responses.

Answer 1

As a Christian, I have given this issue a lot of thought in the past. I think the real difference is that you are talking about "religions" rather than talking about a personal relationship with God.

Your girlfriend for example is saying that she would be willing to disown her family if the Pope told her to do so in order to "get to heaven" That is a dedication to a specific religious doctrine line just like ALL other Christian religions put forth. In this case, It is the "religion" that matters rather than the personal relationship with God.

That is why the different religions are different. God did not plan it that way. It just happened because each person that reads or hears something will interpret it in a different manner. Even those of us who are attempting to maintain the personal relationship see things at least a little differently.

However, Satan also has a lot to do with why the "church" is so diverse. He likes nothing better than to be able to divide believers from one another even though the Bible clearly states that there should be no discord between believers.

Sorry, I didn't mean to get away from your question...
Basically, religions are made by man. Anyone who will do something that is hurtful or distructive because another human being said it was "right" is dead wrong. For the believer, God will let you know. All you have to do is ask. He will NEVER ask you to do anything that would hurt someone else physically, emotionally or spiritually. It is totally contrary to his spirit. That is a good way to check yourself out....i.e. is it me or is it God?

Answer 2

There are many people who believe in religion who question and evaluate. The people who would kill loved ones or even disown loved ones if they thought God wanted it are usually shoved to the end marked "fundamentalists" and are considered nut jobs even within their own religion. Rational people may believe in some kind of divinity but they are not the fundamentalist type. I am a biologist and a mother and I say that there is clearly something that makes life more than the sum of its parts, but I don't adhere fervently to a particular religion, just a general love and respect for what makes life special. I guess then the answer would be that the more logical you are the less dedicated you are to religious doctrine (though not necessarily belief).

Answer 3

Crimson , You almost had a valid question there until you started insulting ( Not debating ) homosexuals and people who choose to work in abortion clinics . That just showed your need to repulse those that believe differently than you do . This shows fear , such as homophobia ,on your part . I am much more against Islam than I am Christianity . Why ? Because The vast majority of Christians no longer wish to behead homosexuals , blow up office buildings , or make women second class citizens . ( Yes , there is the occasional nut job out there like McVie ! and oppressive sects like snake handlers and Quakers .) The majority of Christians have become reformed Christians . While they may hate homosexuals (or the act of homosexuality) and others, few are ready to actually kill them . And when they do the governments of places like the USA , England , etc. do their best to bring the murderers to justice . Whereas in Islamic States the murder of homosexuals ( such as the mass stoning to death of 14 in "moderate" Turkey last August ) is considered sort of an entertainment . But you should read more and understand that it is the REFORM Muslims , not the moderate Muslims that want true peace . Moderate Muslims may not be ready to strap bombs to their retarded daughter's body and send her into a pet shop to explode amongst other children , yet they do support the Qu'ran in the concept that everyone in the world must be made subject to Allah . As far as I know , most Jews would simply rather be left alone in peace . If the Muslims would just allow them their original Israel borders with a clear and real truce , I don't think there would be any violence there . I think what you are seeing here on R&S isn't so much that Christianity is a thorn in our side , but rather that YOU are . Because you also seem to have that NEED to include a degrading or insulting remark in your questons and answers . Why do you need to do that ? Edit for Hona ... What a bunch of crap !

Answer 4

You are right on the money. In writing a book on epistemology, the most remarkable conclusion to which I came was that faith is evil -- indeed, the ultimate evil: it is the deliberate rejection of the one thing that makes us human -- the ability to use logic. And what could be worse than to deliberately abjure your humanity? As for your relationship with the girlfriend, I am sorry to say that I predict trouble ahead.

Answer 5

More than following blindly by faith. I believe that God has a plan for us, and that by following his plan we can return to him. Yes, He does give commandments that are hard to follow that we may not understand the reasoning behind, but I know he gives them for a purpose. I will follow anything God tells me to do, but more important than listening to the living prophet I believe in, I know that I can get my own answers from God through prayer and personal revelation, and I know what God will not command me to do something like killing my parents, so I do not let that damage my faith or willingness to follow. If you really understand the character of God, you do not need to draw a line and say I will stop believing here, because you know that he will never ask you to cross that line.

Answer 6

There are masquerading people who pretend to be religious and religious that are not religion however true religions have a foundation of love and unity that advance the human family

Answer 7

I am still stuck on the word "tangible"...can you help me out. a common belief in all religions and races is that an "out-group" member will distract the other from his/her origins. Do I agree, partially...but we must all be capable of making our own decisions and living with their respective outcomes.

Answer 8

faith is only the belief in things not seen ... it is not being ignorant of reality ... God is very specific in His word to warn ppl to be careful of false prophets, doctrines, etc and to prove things...even in His word... religion is a man made concept..not one of God ... i have issues with all religions quite frankly..but it has no effect on my faith in a Father and a Savior.. ppl make Gods word complicated --- its not ... Love Him...Love each other ... how tough is that?

Answer 9

wow, drop that brainwashed girl. You don't need some1 like that. When the pope says kill all who don't believe in god she will slit your throat. Run, faster!

Answer 10

sadly, too many do this
it's a mental problem, a form of psychosis
the blind leading the blind