Is it that religions cause people to abandon logic or are non-logical people susceptible to religion?

Question

I've been noticing that there seems to be some sort of correlation between an accepting, unquestioning attitude and adherence to religion. Time and again I see religious people accept what they're told, even though what they're told is illogical or just plain nonsense. On the other hand, the non-religious people I know will question or challenge those same silly assertions or dictates.

Also, the non-religious people I know have more common sense. They understand how things work and the constraints that physics places on the material world. It's amazing how 2 different people can witness the same thing and have such radically different ideas of what happened.

In fairness, I do know some religious people who do NOT suffer from these shortcomings. I've been generalizing but experience seems to bear me out, in general.

Does anybody have any rational explanation for this observed difference between the religious and the non-religious? Is there a link of some sort to religion?

I contrasted just one aspect (logic) of religious vs. non-religious people. I did NOT address belief systems, IQ, wisdom, morality, or lifestyle.

I've had two answers (Expans1on and Peaceful Heretic) so far that appear to be honest and free of bias.

I've had one answer (Curtis) that's a good example of the non-logic I was talking about.

And one inexplicably inane answer (sunestauromai) that served no purpose other than to brag about his own education.

Other answers made a point but betrayed their objectivity by the unnecessary use of emotional terms.

Otherwise, I see proselytizing for religion and against atheism.

Perhaps "quiescent" or "submissive" would have been a better word to use (instead of non-logical or illogical). I think there's a link to religion . . . I just hoped for an answer that would explain it.

Answer 1

I completely agree with what you mention, I am religious, and I married an atheist, Strange combo I know, but she made me a stronger catholic. I notice the change that you mention. Mainly because she questioned me and got me to think for myself. I think religions should not be given to us from birth. I think because we get told what to think as a child we don't practice our independent thinking. I believe you possibly coming from a neutral background can see how you searched and developed your own belief system. As I tell my wife though, you're not free from the nonsensical viewpoint. In essence it comes cown to your deepest beliefs. Sadly no one's inner beliefs can be changed. This is not a bad thing and should just be accepted and not ridiculed. I've had this discussion with my wife who claims i cannot see other viewpoints (in relation to my beliefs) however, you get talking on the environment and no amount of evidence will steer her from her views on humans and their impact. (I secretly am on her side, but i'll distance myself enough to not let my emotions cloud my judgement).

Answer 2

It's brain chemistry... that's my guess.

Everybody has a different brain & they're all built little bit differently, either due to congenital formation or neuron building during life experiences.

I don't think this can be generalized into one belief-system over another, and the most logical people can be the worst at dealing with their emotions or interpersonal relationships. What's the deal with that? It's obviously not the rule, but we've all known the super-smart person who can't seem to communicate with people.

Brains created god for some people, and they dismantle gods for others... it's just all chemicals & electricity... which is different for everyone.

Answer 3

Religion uses a simple tactic. The rules of religions include the ability of their respective deity to waive the rules of physics whenever he pleases. This is NOT subject to logic.

So being a member of a particular religion does NOT make a person abandon common sense (which isn't really anyway) - common sense simply does not apply to many of the worlds major religions.

Answer 4

People who have accepted Jesus Christ as savior have an unfair advantage in that the God who knows all things shares with them direction for their lives. Yes to those who are not saved it may appear very foolish and ill logical. What is life truly about getting all you can or being there to help others and do the right thing? The answer is the latter which is not the world's answer but those of the world don't even know that they are Pershing and they have no peace in this life or the next. Peace not from having things but peace in the knowledge that we are trying to walk in the path that God has chosen for us and doing as well as we can not in our strength with which we would fail but in His strength in which all things are possible.

Answer 5

Logic? How about 43 semester hours of college mathematics with the beginning class Calculus 1, which my test scores would have allowed me to skip... Along with 15 semester hours of Bible taken at 500 level, i.e., graduate.

Answer 6

Most religious people are spoon fed crap from the day they are born. If they have a strong will, they fight it.. if not, they end up saying the earth is 6,000 years old.

Answer 7

The truth is revealtion comes from God. Not all things of God seems wise to a man. Those who seek the truth will receive a gift from God and this gift is called faith and through faith comes revelation and a personal realtionship with God.
It is not by our wisdom we know God but by his revelation.

Answer 8

Atheism is what is illogical. How can the big bang happen when NOTHING existed before then? That violates the laws of physics.