Is pain the main basis for belief in something we don't know? If so isn't religion a deversion from reality?
2007-07-25 09:32:49 · 12 answers · asked by Kuntree 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Hello,
(ANS) YES! & No! religion is an attempt to explain suffering & pain & the causes of suffering but it fails on all counts in my opinion. People do seem to find comfort in religion when they are in pain, distress or grief or just plain unhappy.
Religion is NOT a diversion from reality as such its a mistaken or false belief in a reality that just doesnt exsist in my view.
In my view ALL religion was invented by humans for humans. Religion & god is a human construct, an idea that many humans seem to need inorder to feel OK about themselves or the world they live in.
As I am an existentialist & an atheist, I don't hold a belief in religion at all. In my view ALL religious or spiritual experience takes place within the field of the human psyche, meaning its an internal derived perception no matter how external a person thinks it is. Its an illusion, some might even go as far as saying its a delusion.
Religion has now become the source & creation of more suffering & pain in the world than I think it solves or heals.
Ivan
2007-07-25 09:53:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't be offended, but religion is a simply a way to promote moral uprightness in society. Saying that you will burn eternally is quite a good way to motivate people, wouldn't you agree?
Why we seek knowledge varies from person to person. Some seek it out of necessity, some for personal betterment, some simply out of curiosity. What we are not certain of in our quest for knowledge, we take on faith. The ancients attributed these missing pieces of information to gods, and religion was born.
Shortly after, those with power saw religion as a way to manipulate people's emotions, and utilized the peoples' feelings (especially fear and guilt) to control them to a greater degree.
Religion isn't so much a diversion from reality as it is a reason to change our behavior in this reality. If any of this helps.
2007-07-25 16:42:18 · answer #2 · answered by Raine V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. I'll buy that. Then it means that atheists are empty inside and devoid of feeling. :-P
Of course, I am joking. The thing is that most religious people feel they DO know something. And many religious people find peace and happiness in their religion. They feel no pain at all. It is all a matter of perspective, and generalizing and oversimplifying religion does not help explain it or help you to understand it. It is no different than when religious people assume that atheists have no morals, which is, of course, a bunch of bull.
2007-07-25 16:37:20 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is a coping mechanism for the adversity we experience in life. Religion explains death, poverty, illness; all the things we struggle to find meaning for. It also gives us hope for the future. Most important religion gives morals and ethics. This code of conduct and common belief and traditions is what holds mankind together.
2007-07-25 16:39:09 · answer #4 · answered by katy_zpb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is definately fear but can be pain. I think that in general religion is something that is comforting that we can turn to in time of need may it be pain or fear. It is the belief there is a higher power that can protect us.
2007-07-25 17:09:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i guess to some extent.according to Karl Marx,it's the crutch of the poor and oppressed.it prevents us from seeing what is really goin on in society,which is the perpetuation of inequality
religion is also a coping mechanism but ur question may force one to answer that yes, religion is an escape from reality.even if we're not trying to escape from the perpetuation of inequality,we're trying to cope with somethins and the way in which we do this is to create or believe in sumting we hope is there,something that justifies/rationalizes our lives and validates all that we're going thru
2007-07-25 16:47:02 · answer #6 · answered by grasshopper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe religion is a refection of pain but spirituality is a reflection of joy...
2007-07-25 16:36:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
LOL, as if God isn't reality? Actually, it's just the opposite, your daily "reality" is a diversion from Truth, i.e. God.
2007-07-25 16:45:48 · answer #8 · answered by shine_radiantstar 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
John Lennon:
"Whatever gets you through the night."
Karl Marx:
"Religion is the opiate of the masses."
Me:
"Religion is better than drugs."
Not as catchy, but I hope that helps! LOL
2007-07-25 16:38:38 · answer #9 · answered by starryeyed 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it's fear more than pain.
And you can be spiritual without being religious. Religious is part of spirituality, but not necessary.
2007-07-25 16:40:00 · answer #10 · answered by Offkey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋