Do people keep their faith out of loyalty or really because (incredibly) the bible makes sense to them?

Question

Let me speculate:
A KGB (in soviet times OC) sleeper agent in the US must have enjoyed the advantages of the west and realized that the concept was superior to MrxLeninisn.
A terrorist that went to Harvard must have tasted the good life to compare with fundamentalism.
But they still went on working for their causes although everything around them shows a life less harsh.
It´s clear that all WWII germans were not Nazis. Many have killed for their country, although in disagreement with official policy. They didn´t surrender, they fought on, even if it was clear that they were on the receiving end passing 1943.
So my theory is that believers are so much into their faith, that no matter how one demonstrates the obvious, only a tremendously traumatic experience would shake them loose from their course.
If some study could be done about the obstinacy against overwhelming good sense, I´d be REALLY interested to read the results.

Answer 1

The key is indoctrination, IMO. To prove this, we would need to find someone who has reached adulthood without being exposed to any religious belief or practice at all. This is almost impossible, however. But if it was possible, any attempt to make them believe in such completely illogical concepts as those portrayed by any of the dominant world religions would indicate whether it is possible for someone to come to religion without indoctrination as a child.

Personally, I don't think there is any need to conduct such an experiment. The fact that religious practitioners devote so much time to "teaching" children, to me, this is proof that once a child has been traumatized with the fear inspiring stories involoved with religion, their natural skepticism is beaten into submission and they become proper Christians, Jews, Muslims, Mormons etc.

Answer 2

You're question assumes that believing in the Bible is incredible, or that it shouldn't make sense.

It's obvious to me that you have never really studied the Bible.

If you look at the history presented in the Biblical accounts, you won't find any contradictions to archeological digs. The city of Ur, where Abraham lived, was considered for a long time to be a fantasy, not real. Until archeologists found the city!

The destroyed city of Jericho was considered a fable - until archeologists found it!

If you look at the science presented in the Bible (even though it is not actually a science book), yet it does not contradict science.

Just one simple example, the Bible says that in the last days, the very powers of heaven shall be shaken. The Greek word used here for "heaven" is "uranimos". In other words, "the powers of uranium will be shaken". Likewise, the last-days prophecy of Joel 2:28 describes a nuclear explosion when read in the original Hebrew. Hebrews says that we understand that things which we see were made of things we can not see, when contemporary science didn't have the slightest clue as to the atomic structure of matter. Finally, the Bible talks about how the very elements themselves would melt with a fervent heat, accurately describing a nuclear explosion, at a time when "elements" were unheard of.

In medicine, the Bible describes how the life of the flesh is carried by the blood, and it's only "modern" medicine that has proven this fact.

The Bible talks about "the four corners of the earth", but it is only with the advent of space travel that we can see the true meaning of this, that when the earth is viewed from above Jerusalem, there are 4 mountain ranges that look like 4 corners.

Finally, the "lost"star Arcturus, which does not follow a precise orbit, is described in the book of Job, when God asks, "Who guides Arcturus and her children?"

No, what is incredible is that in spite of all the facts, people think the Bible does NOT make sense!!!!

And don't even ask about prophecies! On the average, 1 out of every 6 to 8 versus is prophetic in nature. Over 300 prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus. The mathematical odds of that occurring by chance is 1 over 2 raised to the power of 300! In otherwords, zero - impossible without the aid of divine intervention!

It's been calculated that these are the same odds of finding a "marked"grain of sand somewhere on earth after mixing it around for 100 years, then "blind folding" someone to search for 100 years and then randomly grabbing one grain of sand, and that grain being the marked grain!

As far as my own personal belief, I was not raised Christian. I was taught that Jesus was some kind of liar and lunatic and deceiver. It was only after I had an encounter with Him that I was obligated to change my opinion, or live in intellectual dishonesty! Jesus made all the difference in my life, and I stay by His side because I love Him, because He died for my sins.

Answer 3

Many folk believe that the religion that they ascribe to, is the one and only means to an end. That being said, a person who has been brought up in a certain "faith" usually adheres to that position. Unless something absolutely insane comes up to change their minds, they will not do so. I personally have my own mind. I am continuously researching and finding out more and more about all subject matter especially religion. Some of my research has been disappointing because I can see the common sense that couldn't be clearer unless I had superman's eyes. Most of these wars are set up to justify man's greed. They basically have an economic basis for their existence while hyping up everyone who wants to be patriotic. The wealthy folk don't worry because their children will be safe and sound. Yet, they are laughing up their sleeves as the "poorer man" wants to fight for his country. This is just a means to an end to make the wealthy richer. Just take a look at the robber barons beginning with John D. Rockefeller, the Chase family, the Vanderbilts, the Astors and even the Kennedys, to name just a few. All of these people have used religion as a basis to catapult folk into being "super patriotic" and fight to protect their country. Remember this, What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31. The Lord daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. - Psalm 68:19. BEFORE you enter any home or public building, quietly say "Peace Be To This House." - Luke 10:5. Those who are already on the premises will have a more placid demeanor. Peace, Love and God Bless.

Answer 4

To me the bible makes plenty of logical sense. Especially when you do the historical research to back it up. And when you compare it to other religious texts. But the difference in comparing a trained army to a religion is a hard comparison. It doesn't really match up. However, my experience in dealing with people who have a strong faith is that they have personally experienced it and that is what really bonds someone to that faith, not blind faith, but having a life changing experience. I have studied many religions all over the world but the bible made the most logical sense if you read it all, and not just take parts out of context. Many people who critique the bible have never actually read the entire thing. I hope this has helped you.

Answer 5

I believe most people hold on to their faith out of fear. Whether they are aware of that fear or not, it is fear. I feel MANY do not use the free will "God" gave them. A fear of the unknown is much scarier than whatever it is about the bible they may or may not agree with. They will look past the inconsistencies, the rhetoric, and the inhumanity done to mankind (all in the name of religion) because at least it is something in black and white and after all....everything we see in print has to be true...right?!! NOT! It is very difficult sometimes, after years of brain washing (organized religion) for people to accept that they could be wrong, and that it is OK for each individual to find their own way in this world. I believe the bible, while full of inspiring stories and beautiful words, is simply a guide book to how we should all act as human beings. We can see the same literary beauty in Shakespeare, Homer and Whitman, but you don't see many people going around quoting them and saying "I'm going to live my life the way William says I should". We would call them crazy and lock them up. So how is it that devout religious believers get away with "crazy talk" and society does nothing about that?

Open your minds and experience all there is to experience, good, bad, ugly and incredibly beautiful, before you go believing and having faith in something that someone else tells you is true! Think about it, where else in your life do you believe something, just because someone says its true and willing agree that if you don't believe this way, your going to die and have a horrific experience to your soul once you do die!!!!

If you want a good read, about the harm that having ANY KIND organized religion has done to mankind, read "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris. Great book and gives as unbiased of an explanation as is possible, and really does, if your are willing to be open minded make you go "That is so true" or "I never thought of it that way before". I'm not saying having faith is wrong and shouldn't be, but holding on to something so tightly, with a closed mind is very harmful in todays society! You would think by now we would really be focusing on "Stop the Hate".

Answer 6

Actually, I came to believe the opposite way! I was a non-believer for the majority of my life and stuck to my guns whenever religion came up... I hated the topic and felt religion was for the weak minded and simple. THEN, I learned about the Bible (and yes, it makes sense to me) but more than that, I learned about God. The more I learned, the more I believed. And eventually I had to make a choice to stick to either stick my molded beliefs or accept a new belief and try to live by that. In the end, God won. And I'm glad He did. And now I realize where I was going wrong all those years and am much happier (And I was already happy before) than ever. So anyway, it may happen the way you describe too... but in my case, my faith in Christ came at a price and I was willing to pay it even though I was fighting against it for the majority of my life!!

Be blessed

Answer 7

Believers keep the faith through good times and though painfully, through bad times. There was a time when one could be murdered for believing in God. It exists to an extent even today. Hatred for Christians is once again on the rise. As was prophesied.

Faith has taught people the meaning of life. While some may be 'living the good life'. Christians choose to live a Godly life. The good life ends at the grave. Eternal life begins at acceptance and never ends.

Although many people claim to be 'living the good life'. They still suffer from a life of wanton sin. They murder, steal, commit suicide, face insecurity, gang bang, worship celebrities and the wealthy who steal from us, and all the other miserable things to plague a man who lives by the standards of dying flesh and spiritual darkness. This is why there are so many insecure, dysfunctional, drunken, addicted, paranoid, hateful, selfish, and materialistic people in our world. You know... 'living the good life'.

This doesn't at all mean that Christians have no fun. We do plenty. I rather enjoy my weekends without hangovers and headaches now. We just live a life that makes it easier to look ourselves in the mirror and sleep at night.

So faith is a way of and a way to life. That is why we do what we do and offer the good news to others. So that we all may get to 'live the good life' eternally.

God bless

Answer 8

Bible makes perfect sense to me, as well as evolution: What people do not realize is the seven days that God created the world is seven days in his time not our time as we think of seven days.
In doing a little Math and what the Bible says about man's life being just the twinkling of the eye in God's time; you will find out that the world is a lot older than both the evolutionists and the fundamentalist Christians argue over how old the earth is.
Hint:
man's life was alloted at 65 years.
The distant to cause a twinkling of the eye is approximately 1/2 inch.
light travels 984 x 10^6 feet per second.
Hint how far does it light to travel 1/2 inch? That is what 65 years in our time is in God's time.
So bible makes perfect sense to me:

Answer 9

I see where your going, and actually appreciate and respect the facts

1. you were not derogatory in your content,

2. you presented a logical thinking question that said something, and has a good point,

I think that the answers your going to get are not going to be what your looking for, but hey i will try,

I think its probably a combination of both,

some people truly believe everything they read and that gives them a sense of completion,

some people have seen things that they have no understanding of but can reference a point in the bible that connects them to that incident at that time,

still others( and I think this is where i am right now) have a feeling that even the most detailed scientific explanations of all things, have to have the chaos point, where no real explanation can be applied save the unknown, and that for me is where god starts,my faith is unique i have faith that Jesus lived and died for us, all of us, and only really asked that we have faith, do the right thing before the wrong and be good to each other(yes theres more to it than that but that's where I'm at personally)

Answer 10

A great percentage of religious people from all denominations that have been brought up in a specific religion have vary little common sense and logic, as a catholic, I have observed over the years, and listened to many people within our own church about what they believed regarding the bible, and I was absolutely astounded at their response, and when I listen to a vary well educated individual explaining why he believes in the bible literally, I cannot help but think that religious programing has become the most dangerous belief in our society today, It is no wonder we have so much religious violence in the world today.