What is the psychological component of faith?

Question

Are people's beliefs based on genetics?
I wrack my brain, trying to figure out how so many Christians can reason the answers they reason.

Having been de-converted, I understand what a Christian believes. But there's a big hole somewhere - like this galactic bell-curve that just prohibits any measure of sound reason.

It's like a scary movie - a Twilight Zone where everyone around you is kind of insane.... Not a lot, they can speak English and drive and shop... But really!

It is astounding how much of the essence of the meanings of so many of these questions Christians completely miss!

If anyone knows of a genetic component that would correlate religious belief or faith with an inability to reason properly, I would love to hear from you.

Likewise, in psychology. I realize that many Christians have been indoctrinated since childhood and that this type of early predisposition to bypass reason can galvanize into a reality/delusion complex where the "victim's" ability to critically investigate their beief, dies.

Answer 1

I don't think it has anything to do with genetics. I've always thought the appeal of religion came from the natural human desire to be accepted into an 'exclusive' group. By adulterating the sacred texts, some Christians create an 'us versus them' mentality. It's easier to band people together under the idea of fighting against something than it is to bring people together under the ideas of love and acceptance that Jesus actually preached.

A lot of people are simply using religion as an excuse for their own prejudices and inadequacies. Anyone who doesn't have a strong sense of themselves and of right and wrong is susceptible to unreasonable religious beliefs. Most Christians could see how unreasonable their beliefs are, but they choose not to look that closely.