People against religion do think in some cases?

Question

For some people religion could be a necessary phsychological crutch. The point being in some cases could the removal of peoples religios beliefs be more harmful to their mental health(in terms of stability) than an improvement.

I am not saying in all cases, to put the question simply:

Do you think there are people that would not be able to cope without religion?

Answer 1

We all need a group to belong to, something to believe in...for some it's religion ..

Answer 2

You're describing the way I felt about cigarettes a few years ago.

I'm a nonsmoker now, by the way.

What I learned, was that it's okay to not be able to "cope" some times. It was always having to be on my best behavior, always getting to work on time, always being the bigger person, always just putting up with what I had to put up with until I could get my cigarette, that was keeping me smoking.

The truth is, people aren't robots, and I think people rely on crutches, when they're trying too hard to be completely dependable and perfect, the way everyone wants them to be. A person leaving a psychological crutch, honestly, is going to realize pretty quickly just how much good that crutch was doing them. And there are definitely some people who shouldn't, or who should at least find a temporary replacement. Finally, you've got to accept that there are people who (in my example), are simply happier smoking.

I think anyone thinking about giving up something they depend on, has got to give themselves room for mistakes, and has got to find a way to get some slack from the world around them.

But, again, there are some people out there, that are simply happier smoking, even if they don't depend on it.

Maybe religion's the same way.

Answer 3

I absolutely agree with this. Unfortunately sometimes these people become unbalanced even with Religion and it becomes a outlet for their illness. Jim Jones, David Koresh, cult members, religious zealots (certain members of R&S who continually target and attack specific people). SOmetimes these people become dangerous other times people just find them annoying or ignorant.
At the same time I am sure that religion becomes a souce of balance for some people. Maybe it is a way of coping. I think that no matter who you are, if you have religious beliefs they help you through your day to day life. People who are sick and in pain (I speak from experience here), people who have suffered greattragedy, even people who are just stressed. Religion can be a major form of support in such situations. I belive in my GOds/GOddesses very strongly but I am aware that some of the reason for my beliefs is the sense of security and happiness that ir gives me. This is why I would never try to change a persons beliefs and can't understand why people would want to knowing how improtant what they believe is to them. This includes Athesits. They are happy with what they believe so why would I want to change that.

Answer 4

People are born atheists. They become Christians only if the parents took them to church every Sunday. Nowadays young people are so happy and rich (big allowance), they don't really need religion. If they stop going to church, their kids will know nothing about Christianity. I expect the church will be emptier.

I know some non-believers who converted to Christians, just because something bad happened to them. So, yes, some people do need religion. But the happy ones do not have the need for religion.

Answer 5

I think so, after all, there is a codependency character trait necessary to remain religious, no matter how devoutly it is. And there are some people who have a potent codependent character, thus, when left on their own psychologically, they would most likely become aggressive, irritable, and will most likely have a drastic change in character.
Yes, there are people who would be unable to cope without religion

Answer 6

Yes, I agree with you. There are people who would not be able to cope without religion. And that's fine. I would never try to remove their religion or even try to disprove it. I only debate the subject when somebody on the other side makes the first move.

Answer 7

Placebos certainly have a place in medicine, and so should religion. Unfortunately while placebos have few negative effects, the same cannot be said for every religion or religious person.

Certainly, there are people who would have a hard time if they found definitive proof about a lack of their Santa, but fortunately for them, it's no easy task to prove that he doesn't exist.

Answer 8

Yes I think you are right and that some people need religion as a psychological support system. I have no issue with that at all. I only object to people who feel the need to push their personal beliefs at others with attachments regarding hell and damnation. This is likely to damage someone else psychologically.

Answer 9

This is pure speculation:

We know people (in Japan for example) who grow up without religion do fine. So, in that case, people don't need it as a crutch.

But, if you have someone who's been deeply involved with religion for most of his/her life, breaking away from it might be impossible or very difficult. Like a heroine addict's cravings never go away, similarly, a religion addict's cravings might never go away.

Answer 10

For some people, stopping smoking would do more harm than good. The same can hold true of religion. The best way of doing it is to ween society off of religion. Young people could handle it better than the old ones.

Answer 11

Only because they haven't been taught how to live with out it. Like a baby born to a mother that used crack during the pregnancy. They are born to it, they become addicted at a very early age, and they don't know that there are different views out there until it's too late, for any kind of enlightenment.