In a world where so much can be explained (or theoretically explained anyway) by science why do so many people still feel the need to believe in a omnipitent spiritual being when there is no physical basis for the existence of one.
2007-07-21 02:31:43 · 21 answers · asked by colby989 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There has been a bit of speculation in scientific literature lately, and in the news, about whether we might have a 'god gene'... i.e., whether we are 'hard-wired' for religion.
I think the answer is a resounding NO. Instead, I think that we are hard-wired for 'self-delusion'.
Contemplating the dawn of human consciousness and abstract thought, it is intuitively obvious that 'cognitive dissonance' posed an existential threat. For example, if Moog was wandering about on the savanna, gazing up in the air and thinking "Gee... I wonder what holds the sky up?"... there would have been a non-trivial probability that he wouldn't have been afforded an opportunity to pass along his genes to the next generation.
The idea cure for cognitive dissonance is 'knowledge'... but an ALTERNATIVE cure for cognitive dissonance is 'belief'... the ILLUSION of knowledge... i.e., self-delusion. It just so happens that the ALTERNATIVE cure is much easier to come by... and a lot less work and trouble... than the ACTUAL cure.
Religion takes advantage of this... pre-packaged delusions. Swallow the "God did it" pill, and cognitive dissonance disappears. So, the concept of 'god'... a meme (viral idea) which is easily passed on from person-to-person... is simply efficient; it short-circuits the necessity for each person to have to fabricate his OWN delusions.
What was true at the dawn of human awareness and abstract thought is still true today... the ILLUSION of knowledge (belief) is much easier to come by... and much less trouble and work... than ACTUAL knowledge.
Today, we don't have to worry about being eaten by a cave bear or a saber-toothed tiger if we are distracted. The 'survival advantage' of being so easily self-deluded has been co-opted by 'religion', which takes advantage of this human weakness for motives of profit and power. Religion is essentially a criminal business enterprise.
2007-07-21 02:57:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The question is what happens after you die? Some say you die and that is it the end period. Some say we have a soul that continues to live in another plane. Some say we die and return as someone or something else.One has to choose what one wishes to believe. We should take the time to search out the various possibilties and go from there. I chose to believe in the God of the bible. I researched the history and accuracy of the scriptures and based on the accuracy of the prophecies of the bible I was soon convinced it is true.Each prophecy that has been fulfilled as prophecied has been done with 100% accuracy convincing me of it's accuracy. The fact of Jesus being born as prophesied in what city and how he would die and the fact He rose from the dead and walked the earth for another 40 days, seen by over 500 is evidence in itself He was who He claimed to be "the Son of God, God" (see John 1:1). We are told we need to have a savior because it is our sins which keep us from God. This is why God provided a Savior for mankind in sending His Son to take our place @ Calvary. We have to have the faith to believe He can and did this for us, so upon the confession of our sins and repenting we will be acceptable to God and spend eternity in heaven. It all makes sense as God's word never contradicts itself, there is only one way.This is why Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except by me. "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name under heaven given to man whereby you must be saved," only through Christ. You see if there was any other way to God or heaven then Christ would not have had to die on the cross.
2007-07-21 02:55:07 · answer #2 · answered by Steiner 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why reject one statement by using the same statement (differently stated) you accept?
There is no physical basis for the existence of one = theoretically explained anyway by science.
Theoretically speaking you're non existent coz there's no physical basis.
2007-07-21 03:20:13 · answer #3 · answered by wind m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are looking for proof for something that requires faith. Because you can prove one thing (the sun is hot) doesn't necessarily mean that those things that can not be proven or have yet to be proven(heaven, hell, God, etc) are not real and do not exist! The entire population of the world believed that the earth was flat at one point. Eventually that was proven wrong, should they have thrown out all other theories/beliefs? Proof of one thing does not diprove all other things. Also, you said it yourself("thoeretically explained"). Explaining something theorectically is believing that something is real or the truth without conclusive absolute evidence(ie FAITH!). I say that the existence of the Bible, the Earth and Humans IS proof of God. We are the creation therefore there must be a creator! Good Luck, God Bless, and study God, learn before you judge!
2007-07-21 02:50:48 · answer #4 · answered by a_talis_man 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Not all mankind..
There are those who are scientifically illiterate, brainwashed from early childhood, whos community is insular, who live in a very simplistic bubble of religious ignorance, and/or who are less intelligent..
Those who want to believe will belive what they want..
As long as there is no separtation between the church and the state, such an easily misled political mindset will be catered for.
You know it makes sense..
2007-07-21 02:43:19 · answer #5 · answered by Commonancestor 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Many people need to believe in a higher power because it gives them a reason for why we are on this earth in the first place. We serve our chosen deity (Satan, in my case) by doing what we believe is His will during our lifetime, and we know we will then be beside Him for all eternity. Simply put, it gives us a reason to live.
2007-07-21 02:52:47 · answer #6 · answered by blackleather666 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Communist nations are officially atheistic and vary on tolerance of religions. They may strongly suppress them. It should be obvious that there are billions of people in communist lands, e.g. China and Russia, and thus that many atheists. People feel need for imaginary gods, because priests do not want to find honest jobs and stop swindling gullible men with silly promises of afterlifes that no sane person would want. many people are too brainwashed to think for themselves and prefer the priests' false campaign promises to the truth.
2007-07-21 02:42:23 · answer #7 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
thay do not have to it is only because of the brainwashing in the schools and by govermants that keep that 2000yrs old fairy tale gowing most people in the uk never go to church thay are not brainwashed and the church is not runing the govermant like it is in the usa
2007-07-21 03:58:54 · answer #8 · answered by andrew w 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question! It might be because some people needs to be free of their own responsibility and let their God (whatever it is ?) takes their responsibility.
2007-07-21 02:41:26 · answer #9 · answered by ninka 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
religion teaches people about God, if you reach the level you can be able to understand the true purpose of religion, you should be able to learn that the one that is called God is the force which makes you as a living matter. it isn't somebody God is a force of everything that you experienced being created while Devil on the other hand is the force of everything that you experienced being destroyed or omitted of life.
its all about the level of understanding, that most people don't even care to bother- THE TRUTH. Belief doesn't matter
whether you like it or not, you need to understand God, its all about living, its all about you, its your existence of living
2007-07-21 02:40:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋