Does religion really have the answer to the "why"?

Question

On this site I have seen theists state "Science explains the 'how' and (my) religion explains the 'why'" (I added the 'my' but it is implicit in the answer). But does it really? Because I don't really think a little hand-waving and saying "well, God wanted/did it" is much of an answer. Especially given that there are many other religions making the exact same claim.

Is religion often more of an excuse to avoid or stop thinking about the hard questions?

Zilla: The day I do not want to ride with towering japanese monsters is a sad day indeed!

the JGG: Punctuation is not optional.

Atheist Eye Candy 18: The stupid so abundant in this place was getting to me a little.

Answer 1

Taking charge of the 'why' has conferred undeserved power onto whomever has stepped up to claim it.

Giving credit for the 'why' to one's religion is a way of stating loyalty to a power base in a bid for peaceful existence.

At one time, giving credit for both they 'why' and the 'what' was required. Now, thanks to wonderful people such as Copernicus, Gallileo, Franklin, Newton, Darwin and others, it is impossible to leave the 'what' to any religion because the 'what' is strictly science. It is already clear that at some point, the 'why' will be well explained.

The religious stories should be relegated to myth now.

Answer 2

This might not the best way to answer:

1. Does religion really have the answer to the "why"?
> Since there are a lot of religions, so if all is 100% and none is 0%, the answer is other than all and none. In a bigger scope there will be lots of beliefs. Budhists don't consider that Budhism is a religion.

2. "well, God wanted/did it" (as an answer)
> If the question is "where babies come from?", what will you answer to a 5 y.o., to a 10 y.o., to a 18 y.o. ?

3. Is religion often more of an excuse to avoid or stop thinking about the hard questions?
> Yes, since only a small number of people have actually found the answers.

Answer 3

No one religion has all the answers. Religion simply means doing the same thing over and over, or doing it religiously. Through studying, discussing, and having a relationship with the God of my understanding, I now have a faith I can live that is completely personal. I believe in the new testament, if you include the gnostic writings, but I want no part of the god represented in the old testament. I think it is way too easy for any spirit to convince humans they are God, and cause all kinds of harm. I believe in, "do what you will, but harm no one" I believe in unconditional love for all, and miracles we miss everyday. I don't need blind faith, I have a personal relationship with my God. I do not believe Christ had to die in order for God to forgive us. God is quite capable of forgiving us without that. Christ chose to die in order for us to believe God forgave us. Remember the time that Christ was from. Sacrifice was part of daily life then. Christ wouldn’t have been believed if he had been a she women either. Leaving a complicated belief system at that, no, I absolutely am not religious, but I try to be totally about spirituality.
Blessed Be

Answer 4

Does religion really have the answer to the "why"?

Yes. Like it or not, it does. Man was created for one purpose, To Love God. that's it. now answer this, if you way is the only truth as you claim ( i do as well) but if evolution is the case then why
1. are the the only planet with life anywhere, why is there not life everywhere
2. why did we evolve into such a variety of life forms, one or two would have been quite a feat
3. if it all "just happened" can we not reproduce even the most simple from of life. even one cell, from scratch
4. why would any people "dream up " a religion that replaces themselves as the top, with a "sky god" no one can see, and that they must be subject to.
5. why if you dreamed something up, would 11 men die horrible deaths just to keep the lie alive

I could go on and on, but you will not even answer these.

Answer 5

For me it is not, it is the opposite. For me religion is a reason to seek further and probe the hard to answer questions and learn more to find answers. It causes me to think rather than submit blindly to something.
In Judaism we are allowed to ask questions and seek out answers. I find I do sometimes say "All I can say is God wanted it that way but I don't know why"
In my opinion religion and science both have a lot of things that have to be taken on faith and I probe both religion and science looking for answers to my questions.
Religion is a reason for me to think study further those hard to answer questions, not just ignore them.

Answer 6

there are many hard questions. if you dont get math you will be lost in space and time. now when the religious can find a mathematics question re the existence of god then maybe there can be a what or where but there is no answer to why no matter what the question is. IE no right and no wrong. but there is no god of that i am sure because i only have myself and i am not god.

Answer 7

Greg H:The car makers don't fix the car - mechanics do, unlike priests who couldn't even translate the bible but try to ignore all of the contradictions within it.
I don't see how it can as people use it to try to claim that dinosaurs we're on Noah's Ark and people also deny evolution and yet some believe in Intelligent Design
Some do use religion as a way to avoid using thier brain

Answer 8

Religion is a feeble attempt of the mind to explain its existence. Most religions (especially Abrams crew) present there opinion as absolute facts. I call that intellectually dishonest. Priests, Rabbis and Imans are no better then snake oil salesmen.

Answer 9

You have made your choice why do you get such a kick out of tormenting others with your over educated ignorance.

Answer 10

god created science and there is much explainations to science in the bible, study it and find out.