Is religion a psychological matrix?

Question

Most people that believe or have faith, both want to as well as need to.
Religion and faith of this magnitude allow people to except complex and not well understood areas of being.
When addressing religion from an objective stand point. Many logical questions arise. Those who are more subjective about religion spend a majority of there time convincing themselves to have faith against logic.
"Religion is the opiate of the people."
Carl Marx
Religion is used to control both those who chooses not to use rational thought and well as those who are hoodwinked into it.
If you believe and you are also willing to accept the truth and the fact that your concept maybe wrong than please watch this video. I would also suggest studying other religions. Your belief surely cannot be right simply because you know not of others perspectives and beliefs.

Bringing a child up to believe in the matrix is on the verge of unethical. You diminish open thought and stupify them.

ZEITGEIST
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5547481422995115331

The origins of religion.
http://www.youtube.com/p/EA3D5A2EFF285F20

If either of the videos are in question than just ignore them and address my question and or my statement.

Answer 1

If somebody pretends something out of experience, out of science, out of common sense, he must prove it very seriously.
For example: if I pretend that tomorrow it will snow in the desert, I must prove it much more seriously than if I would pretend that tomorrow the wind will blow there by 40miles/hour.

And all the people who think, so as I do, that the human spirit has invented God and has attributed him innumerous intelligently to most stupidly invented qualities. God helps us, he gives us His attention. Thank you God for Your attention during all the genocides, the wars, the wars accomplished in Your Name and the organized criminality today. I thank You in the name of the Native, the colored men, and the slaves in the USA. I thank You to have helped Hitler to survive to 43 attempts while You have let burst millions of innocent children, women and men. Thank You for having let Himmler, Stalin, Berija, Mao, Ho-Shi-Min and other sweepings of society doing innumerable atrocious crimes which the most ferocious beast would have refused to accomplish. I am astonished that religious people are unable to see the contradictions between a God Who apparently helps and permits such atrocities without interfering. If such a God existed he might be “ashamed” for being coresponsible of so much evil. So I think such a good helping God doesn’t exist. Religious people have invented what they desire, its “desiring-thinking”.
About the Powers, why not call them God, which are at the origin of the universe, men don’t know anything, they know nothing at all.

Some people think that by praying God, he would help them. Psychologists know that it is not God or any other supernatural powers. It’s the subconscience of men which helps. If you activate consciously your subconscience by sentences (or prayers) like these : “I will be successful” or “My extrasensible tooth will not hurt anymore”. If you repeat these sentences very often, the best before falling asleep and by waking up, you will put more attention to your tooth, you will start to make massages with silken threads, and you will heel it in short time. Up to you to find out, if
some obscure God has helped you, or if you have helped you yourself. And that domain of the placebo effect, of positive thinking and so on, is all the mystery of that so nice, so good and so almighty God.

By interbreeding of dogs it is possible to get an extremely aggressive race. When now one of these dogs aggresses a child and kills him, who is then responsible? We all know that before the law and before men, the one who has “created” that race of dogs is the most responsible. And the God of the Christians? They always pretend that he has created the men i. e. also the criminals, the politicians, the militaries who make the wars. What is true for the elevator of ferocious dogs, must also be true for those of the gods who have “created” these men. So these gods are responsible for the crimes accomplished on earth.
Unless that the Powers which have created the universe don’t pay any attention to all what happens in the universe and on our planet. They have created the universe and they let it go. That is my opinion. And furthermore, because there is not a single serious proof that these Powers have ever interfered and helped anytime anyone.
Our planet is in the universe so insignificant as a grain of dust, and men are comparable to quarks. Religious people are very pretentious to believe that their God pays attention to so totally insignificant beings.

Most of the major religions that pretend that there is a God-Creator of the universe believe with variations in a same sort of God. This seems to prove that the human spirit has created the principle of God.
We have not a single scientific prove that there exists a species of a presence of one God or the presence of more Gods or a system of Gods. About God we don't know anything at all. Religious people just want to be eternal and therefore they invent and have invented innumerous more or less intelligent ideas, often against all sense, about their God. Their main interest is, that they want that he lead them to that uncertainty of their totally invented eternal life.
One of these invented ideas is the principle of an existing demon responsible for all the evil in the world. Responsible for the evil in the world are men, and not the so welcome idea of a demon.
So we have a Godfather, a Holy Spirit, a Godson, a Godmother and a Main Demon. Just like the Royals in the UK, here the goddess Royals. And the Godmother was a virgin and had four sons and at least two daughters. And that is written down textually in the new testaments.

And then there are the Archangels and the angels: the grand-dukes and the dukes. Not to forget the devils, one devil for every kind of sin, I suppose. The hierarchy goes on with the
the Saints and the Sanctimonious: the counts and the viscounts, the sorceresses and the sorcerers. At the glorious end the souls of normal people in paradise, or in the purgatory and those in hell: such as in real life people who have a good life, those who suffer sometimes and those who suffer their whole life.
And Godfather has created all this.
My congratulations. I estimate that this holy hierarchy is comparable to the creations of our best fairy-teller. And very similar too to the hierarchies in the churches, the army, the factories and enterprises of a certain importance.
Saint August, beginning of the 5th century, one of the main thinkers of the catholic church pretended, that God is the divine Essence, the Being of God; the Son is the Word i. e. the Truth; and the Holy Spirit is Love by that the Father begets the Son. Congratulations Saint August very well found! But who believes all this still nowadays?

So where are the proofs that people have souls? A soul has not yet been found, nevertheless it should be eternal and goes on living after the death, where?
In what part of the body are located these souls? How are they constituted? Where are the proofs that they will go on living after death? Who the first has invented the principle of the soul?
Why do you believe so easily totally unproved stories unable to give serious answers to questions of common sense?

Furthermore there is not a single serious proof that Jesus was sent by that invented God in three persons. Joshua (Jesus) has "sent" himself. By the way the representation of Joshua is not in conformity with the texts one can read about him, and with the opinion people had about him who knew him.

For me being religious is a matter of education and constitution of the brain when it is impressed with esoteric and mysticism.
Religion is unscientific answers to questions about the fundamental cause of the origin of the universe, of the forces which rule the universe, of the forces on earth, of the energy of life, of the origin of mankind and so on. Mostly these answers are full of imagery destined to be understood by most men and for all by ordinary, simple-minded, simple hearted people. Many of these answers have been found wrong by the scientists during the last centuries. Nevertheless many religious people, sometimes intelligent people, stick to their believes even if these believes are proved unrealistic, against common sense or totally wrong.
Examples: The "virgin" Maria, the mother of Jesus had four sons and several daughters; a mother of God and a God in three persons is polytheism; the "wonders" of Jesus can mostly all be explained by natural reasons. What miracles? Tell me only one miracle Jesus has done, and I try to explain you what could be probably about these so-called "miracles".
I don't know any miracles, I only know people who believe in miracles.
Hundred years ago healing by placebo were miracles, today we know it is the placebo effect.
Many preachers had, and still have, their tricks to catch the attention of their listeners and to make them believe their theories. Certainly Jesus has been one of the best magician in his country at those times. Nothing more and nothing less.
There are tendencies in the USA to come centuries back and to believe in creationism, i. e. the world being 10.000 years old and being created in 6 short periods (6 days?).
I can’t believe that people, as the actual president, who have got final diplomas at universities of the USA believe such a nonsense. So I guess that he says so, because he is conscious that many of his electors believe that nonsense. That is the scientific level of the children in the Kindergarten in most countries of Europe.
Then the churches and the different sects all around the USA, such as Scientology. Most of the leaders of these churches behave like dictators, profiteers, eager for power and money. Scientology is considered as a totalitarian ideology acting against articles 9 and 10 of the Declaration of the human rights. Greece has declared scientology as enemy public number one in 1973 (source Wikipedia). But I agree they are effective because their members are ignorant and naïve as people were in the Middle Age.
When I read the questions and the answers by Yahoo Answers of the different countries of Europe, I can find scientific contributions founded upon history of mankind, on history of the religions, on psychology, on sociology, even in Italy, one of the most religious countries in Europe.
But at Yahoo Answers in USA the questions and the answers are much more often very unrealistic, unscientific and far away from the knowledge of our century.
Up to you, to build up your own mind about this, to verify yourself and to think whatever you want about people who believe all this without any serious proof.
Nevertheless I am pleased that I have grown up in a Christian society and in a Christian culture with their moral, social and intellectual levels.

Answer 2

Wow, you're going to try to say Zeitgeist is reliable? I can tell you, it's not. Read a book on Egyptian mythology or two (I highly recommend Oxford professor Geraldine Pinch, Ph.D. and Richard Wilkinson). After reading their books, I saw no similarity between Horus and Jesus. I saw that what I had THOUGHT before was the truth, which is that Zeitgeist and other things that try to insist the same are LIES.

And by the way, neither Pinch nor Wilkinson are religious.

Yes, once upon a time I was willing to accept that my concept may be wrong, and perhaps I still am. However, Zeitgeist only proves my faith further, which is that Jesus really IS the only Son of God who was crucified and who rose from the dead three days later. NO other god actually did that. Zeitgeist SAYS they did, but they plagiarize from other, older books that were already discounted by most real scholars.

See my question about comparing Horus to Jesus if you have any questions.

Edit: Fair enough. I think to an extent, you're right that people who believe in God WANT to and NEED to believe. I believe that some people are just more open to the spiritual. However, this doesn't make it any less real.

It's sort of like...some people are more open to be artists. Maybe they can sing, play an instrument, write poetry or books, paint, or sculpt. However, many of these same people aren't very good with math or science. Does that mean they're less intelligent? No.

There are people who are good at building things, designing houses and other buildings, but have atrocious spelling and grammar. Does that mean they're less intelligent than those who are more artistic in nature? No.

It takes all types to make the world the way it is. So the fact that there are people who are more open to the spiritual realm is perfectly acceptable. Ask a writer or a painter sometime where they get their inspiration from.

Answer 3

no. when a person is lead to find a religion, when something is stirring within them that they cannot turn off and they find their path this is proof that religion is something more than what some people in our time want to believe. for example people want to use science to explain everything. i say no, religion is not a psychological matrix, because of the stirrings inside believers hearts- the gut feelings, there are so much to learn about our universe, our selves, the human form, i think it is never ending--look at it like this when a child is growing up being reared by his/her parents- (if the parents are good parents) then they will instill some moral values, and discipline/when that child becomes an adult (and the parents are no longer completely involved in his/her decision making) then without a conscience (religion belifef in God) what is that child capable of ? the destruction and depravity that a human being can create when they have no fear!

Answer 4

As I recall from an earlier part of my life, a matrix is a system for assigning values that may make sense (crossword puzzle), may fit the designers' mandate (sudoku), or are steps to analyze prior to allocating resources as remedy. Iterative thought is easily forced to fit a large matrix. Mobs rule. There are many things known to very few; caution to those who seem or seek to remove the stage, the lighting, or the stadium seating.

Answer 5

Your statements, one can tell, are not your own. Trying to sound profound, I fear you are missing the mark. Just making such statements, does not make them true. Just as Carl Marx statement was false. Religions, my friend, are a dime a dozen. But there is only one faith, one God, and one baptism. We, in the Christian faith, especially we who have been through seminary, have studied all religions in depth. We are not as un-informed as you might think. I suggest that you try writting your own thoughts and not try to impress with your knowledge, because some of us have read the 'same' books. Religion can control - but 'faith' is not a religion. God loves..... We love.....God guides....We follow. There's a difference. I wish you victory as you try to find your own path.

Answer 6

actuality might want to correctly be outdoors our attain, besides the undeniable fact that this is disingenuous to attend to all viewpoints as equivalent even as some are far extra supportable than others. the international being round, as an celebration, is a point of view it is supported from many distinct angles. this is plausible to view the international. this is plausible to circumnavigate the globe. we may even degree the curvature of the Earth's floor. there is not any longer much better than casual statement to signify the international is flat. even as this is plausible for persons to disclaim this, this says extra about the persons than the international.

Answer 7

It binds up the brokenhearted and sets the captive free! Restoring to newness of Life with everlasting joy!

Isa 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Never was there such an evangelist as Christ. He was the Majesty of heaven, but He humbled Himself to take our nature, that He might meet men where they were. To all people, rich and poor, free and bond, Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation. His fame as the Great Healer spread throughout Palestine. The sick came to the places through which He would pass, that they might call on Him for help. Hither, too, came many anxious to hear His words and to receive a touch of His hand. Thus He went from city to city, from town to town, preaching the gospel and healing the sick--the King of glory in the lowly garb of humanity.

He attended the great yearly festivals of the nation, and to the multitude absorbed in outward ceremony He spoke of heavenly things, bringing eternity within their view. To all He brought treasures from the storehouse of wisdom. He spoke to them in language so simple that they could not fail of understanding. By methods peculiarly His own, He helped all who were in sorrow and affliction. With tender, courteous grace, He ministered to the sin-sick soul, bringing healing and strength.

What a busy life He led! Day by day He might have been seen entering the humble abodes of want and sorrow, speaking hope to the downcast and peace to the distressed. Gracious, tenderhearted, pitiful, He went about lifting up the bowed-down and comforting the sorrowful. Wherever He went, He carried blessing.

While He ministered to the poor, Jesus studied also to find ways of reaching the rich. He sought the acquaintance of the wealthy and cultured Pharisee, the Jewish nobleman, and the Roman ruler. He accepted their invitations, attended their feasts, made Himself familiar with their interests and occupations, that He might gain access to their hearts, and reveal to them the imperishable riches.

Christ came to this world to show that by receiving power from on high, man can live an unsullied life. With unwearying patience and sympathetic helpfulness, He met men in their necessities. By the gentle touch of grace, He banished from the soul unrest and doubt, changing enmity to love, and unbelief to confidence.

At the sound of His voice the spirit of greed and ambition fled from the heart, and men arose, emancipated, to follow the Saviour.

Answer 8

Or is psychology a religious matrix?

Answer 9

Religion is millenia long human conditioning.