Why do religious individuals believe what they believe?

Question

If I were to create a set of rules pretending that God gave them to me to pass onto the masses, would I have followers? And if I would, then shouldn't the Godbelievers admit that they are just a herd which needs to be guided, because they have no personality, principles or their own direction in life other than what's fed to them? And if they wouldn't follow my "writings", why do they follow the Bible? How do they know that it is a divine book, and now some guy like me wrote 2000 years ago? Just because it says that in the text which the guy/gal him/herself wrote?

Answer 1

The previous responder presents what is called the anthropomorphic argument; it is an example of a logic error called post hoc. The failure to use correct logic, applied to real evidence, pretty much covers your question.

Answer 2

I beleive in God and I don't need someone to prove it because the proof is all around me. Did you know you're a combination of a sperm and a cell? I'm sure you do.
But, what you probably don't know is the biological complexity of a human being, which no one, with all the resources on this planet - can re-create. That's just one example. Look at the universe. You think that was just some random creation?

Studied geology? Do you know the optimal balance (i.e temperature, atmospheric pressure, gravity, amount of light, nature of planst/animals, etc) that exists on Earth and no other planet or star out there? Ever wonder how and why the only planet that humans can survive on is earth?

It takes a little knowledge and some introspection. I'm sure you'll be well on your way to believing in God if you ever tried :)

Answer 3

This is getting old. The assumption is that because people believe in God they are nothing more than stupid sheep who can be conned into anything. Not only is it insulting it displays a vast misunderstanding of Christianity.
Those who understand and follow Christ do it for a variety of reasons. As they learn more it changes to a relationship. The Bible is a guide to help us learn more about God and avoid mistakes made by others.

Answer 4

There is one HUGE difference between what you or many others have attempted to write as gude books and the Bible. The author claimed to be God and rose from the dead! I would suggest that if you want to start a new religion, just write down many of your thoughts or principles, have yourself crucified, and then rise from the dead! You will get plenty of followers.

Answer 5

The Bible has been and is still used as a road map to many archelogical digs all across the nations. It has led to some of the most important discoveries because of the directions in it. I am not a person with no personality or principles or direction in my life. It is just that my direction is in favor of God and not against Him . I find that life is much better that way. If there is no God then what happens at the end of your life ? You die and that isit.?! Not for me I believe in more that is my right but does not make me mindless. best of luck to you in you life.

Answer 6

You are playing the "what if" game... the "shudda" "couldda" "whouldda" game.... God has already defeated these silly arguments by placing in the hands of anyone who will use "faith" as a Cornerstone, His Word. The never changing Word in a World of confusion and chaos. Try as you will (and you will) ...you can't change a thing... "Faith"... the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen... Hebrews Chapter 11 vs.1 I don't expect you to believe it... God again clearly says His Word is utter foolishness to the unbeliever....(chapter and vs. if youd like)....

Answer 7

It's a rhetorical question of course.

You need to get more fundamental.

Personally, I think religion originated to explain the unknown. (Think, God of Thunder, God of Fire etc.)

It then became twisted by those who sought to control others. (your rules that you want to pass out).

If you've not read it, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, is an in depth discussion as to why, biologically, humans believe in imaginary deities that can very logically be proven to not exist.

(If there is a God, why hasn't cancer been cured? The Bible says "ask & ye shall receive" (Book of Matthew), and surely millions of people have prayed for cancer to be cured, yet it's still here.)

Answer 8

Faith and belief are inborn. It can not be forced from outside. You can not ascribe any reasons for people's belief. It is the culmination of maturity over several births. Hence your question can not be answered in a logical way. It is all intuitive.. You are only putting hypothetical questions.

Answer 9

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. It does not need to be full blown to have an effect.

http://stormloader.com/users/abrax7/epilepsy.htm

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web2/Eguae.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2003/godonbrain.shtml

http://atheistempire.com/reference/brain/main.html

Answer 10

stasik: This question is best answered when you refer to the Y.A's "Question and Answer" bank, as it has been "hashed" out hundreds of times, before. It is a good question you present though.