why do you blindly believe in your religion?

Question

it is said that most people have notgot a great understanding of the religion that they practice, therefore why do you believe what others tell you so blindly? I am an Atheist, but I know more on the subject than most christians!

I know most Muslims know there faith inside out but they are brought up with religion as part of life, most western societys are not.

I know some of you do know details of your religion, my question was for those that don't

Jenn my point is there are alot of christian out there that havent actually read the bible, they just believe what the preachers tell them, shouldn't these people read the bible and judge for themselves

dropadeuce you have just quoted the dhali lama, this is not thinking for yourself, it repeating someone's opinion

I dont have a problem with people believing in god, I just cant believe people blindly follow others, people should find god for themselves, not rely on others to guide them along 'their' chosen path

Answer 1

The Christians don't generally know their religion. I nearly always get multiple "thumbs down" ratings whenever I comment on biblical themes and interpretation, even if I'm quoting the most commonly believed scholarship on the passage.

Answer 2

This is an easy one - but probably a little frustrating for you as an atheist. The answer is faith. Religion, as you know, is separate from belief. It is the form around the faith that gives it function, and structure in society and government. I am not strong in religious areas, but have read the bible cover to cover and believe in Jesus, blindly, if you will. The difference is that I was interested independantly, not being raised with religion, and I am vehemently distrustful of groups. I read the bible on my own, and asked God for understanding. I am still not a member of a church.
Anyway, so I don't really blindly believe in my religion, but I do blindly have faith. Those in a religion with a faith (having both items in them) are the ones who tend to be more outgoing about trying to make people believe what they do.
Sounds to me like you've been exposed to and done your research about everything already, so if and until you change your mind about the whole thing, I can only hope that more positive examples of faith come your way.

Answer 3

I have always wondered this question myself. I've never understood the idea of blindly believing anything let alone something as important as religion. I imagine that you'll get a lot of scripture quotes and a lot of "because God says so". Which of course won't give you your answer but hopefully somewhere out there is someone who can explain it.

I was raised in a religion that abhorred question. Believe Believe was pushed down my throat and any sort of question as to why I should believe was heavily frowned upon. This is a common theme among many religions. Which is why so many people choose to be atheists,agnostics or choose other religions that don't require such blind obedience. I have a drive to question, a need for answers and yes a need for proof. This drive is not accepted by most contemporary religions.

Personally I believe that many people blindly believe because it's safe. It gives them structure, makes them feel much less lost and many people in this world are seeking this.Blind belief is often a requirement of many common religions and so they go with the flow as it is taught.

My rather long winded answer isn't meant to offend only my opinion and hopefully it made sense.

Lovely Question I hope you get more debate and less hate for this one.

Blessings

Answer 4

Some how I don’t like the word ‘religion’ … its better to be a spiritual person..!

After all, if any one has some basic thinking ability does understand that, Long long time back, our ‘intelligent ancestors’ has come out with this beautiful concept of GOD to make our ‘society’ safe & healthy…! Some other ‘more intelligent people’ have made some amendments time to time. But some of them done that for their own benefit.

If you would have noticed the rituals in any religion will greatly depend on the geographies. The climatic conditions there or some of them will change because of some natural calamities and or man made (like war).

For example: In some religion, Men can marry ‘any number of women’..! Just think, after a war almost half of the ‘male population’ was not there in that country. So this is the only way to increase population. But when you “still follow that in a highly populated country.. It’s sad..!”

I love to believe, if God is there its there everywhere with every one (living or non living). So treat everyone and the nature. Protect our nature. Be good to all the beings in this world, God is love…!

Thanks..!

Answer 5

Short answer No.
YOU will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) These oft-quoted words of wisdom were spoken by a man whom millions view as the greatest man who ever lived. Although the speaker was referring to religious truth, in certain respects truth in any field of activity can set people free.Scientific truth, for example, has freed people from many false ideas, such as that the earth is flat, that the earth is the center of the universe, that heat is a fluid called caloric, that foul air causes epidemics, and that the atom is the smallest particle of matter.
Religion and science are both examples of mankind’s desire to know the truth. But there is a significant difference between how religious truth is sought on the one hand and scientific truth on the other.
The searcher for scientific truth has no such final authority to turn to—neither a book nor an individual. Scientific truth is not revealed; it is discovered.
However the apostle Paul wrote: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Accurate knowledge of the Bible is essential if we are to avoid the pitfall of reducing religious devotion only to what is convenient or pleasing to us.

Answer 6

I'm an atheist so i do not have a religion, but when i was younger i was a catholic and I can say from experience that a lot of people "blindly believe" because they want so badly for that belief to be true. They want that happy ending in heaven for all their worship and faith.... so they jump on the bandwagon and blindly follow what their cult tells them to.

Answer 7

Why do you "blindly" believe that most Christians follow their faith blindly? I myself have studied intensely for years, using a wide variety of sources - secular and religious. I have chosen the Catholic faith based on my studies. The pope is a far more studied, academic man the you can ever hope to be.
PS: I like Suzy's answer: You believe the sun will rise tomorrow even though it might not. Who knows what horrible cataclysmic disaster could happen tonight.
Better yet: You probably believe YOU will rise out of bed tomorrow, but the truth is, its possible that you won't.

Your tounge ain't so silver, Silver Tounge.

Answer 8

I don't anymore, being an atheist myself now.
I was raised and educated catholic. I have read the bible a few times (even since my enlightening) and just don't understand why people would believe that crap. That's when I realized that most don't know it and like you said, just follow blindly (kinda like peer pressure, it's what their family & freinds do)

Answer 9

Maybe you said that. And how do you know have you debated most christians or muslims for that matter. It is that same close-minded righteousness that most religions suffer from today. I think the Dhali Lama has it right when he wrote, it doesn't matter if you believe in God, Allah, or Shiva as long as you believe in something higher than yourself. Think for yourself.

Answer 10

I know what I know because of my personal experiences of this and I do not believe in religion or denominations these two separate people from people and separate people from God I firmly believe in God,Jesus, and the Holy Spirit .Gods spirit drawed me to Jesus and his spirit taught me the truth of God's word and this something that a lot of people don't understand about God we have to have a relationship with Him and this is not a religious thing it is a personal relationship. Anybody can belong to a cult but a chosen person belongs to God, He choses us we don't choose him, it is up to us to accept him as or personal savior he is the one that pecks at the heart of man to let him know it is time to make a choice, to either follow him or accept the things of the world.

Answer 11

Do you really know more about anyone religion, I don't think so, if you do, what question or subject do you want to talk about, there is not one subject I am afraid to talk about in the bible, Because I will not talk about it, if I did not understand what I was talking about, But when I do talk about a subject, I will have every scripture I need to back me up, you see, you may think you know more, But a True revelation comes from God & not from a carnal mind but a spiritual mind. In my 37 yrs plus as a Christian I do believe God has taught me alot.