If religion is so obviously good, why does it require salesmen -- or enforcement?

Question

If something is so obviously fantastic, you don't need to get government endorsement and advertise it on my money silly!
I would just choose it naturally, duh!

Answer 1

Well, the cities grew much bigger. Back in the old days, when people lived in small villages, you were nobody if you did not join the club.

Answer 2

Exactly. In its present form the modern expression of religon is mostly another policing agent. But more on the psychological level. The government endorses these belief structures, and supports them too, for that very reason. Just think what it would be like if more people were actually able to make up their own minds about their lives. That would be freedom.

Answer 3

I like your sense of humor, really. But actually "religion" has never been the good part of the hole deal, religion is constituted by the human part of the equation and we tend to do things wrong. What is something worth admiring is faith (and I'm an agnostic) that is basically all good, its hard to get the concept in its whole. That's when some people become fanatics or can deal with question like yours, they don't really get it. But in the end, isn't religion like any other thing you might enjoy, how does that saying goes? Whatever float your boat? (ask Noah he must have a good answer for that, ha)

Answer 4

"The percentage of atheists in the world is less
than 5%"

http://www.positiveatheism.org/india/s1990c48a.htm

"Atheists are all scientists" ?

http://www.non-religious.com/statistics.html

Religion is not a blind following. It is a sub-consciously driven
group ritual. It calms the 'collective unconscious' mind. The
religious culture brings unity and belongedness among the followers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_unconscious

" Are Atheists More Depressed than Religious People?

In recent years, the view that religious belief and
participation in religious acts of worship has a positive
effect upon the well-being of man..."

http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php

"Is a Belief in God Beneficial? Or, What's an Atheist to Do?

1) Religious attendance is correlated with longevity.
2) Religious belief has been associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms.
3) Religious beliefs may help with addiction.
4) Religious attendance is correlated with lower blood pressure.

http://jewishatheist.blogspot.com/2006/01/is-belief-in-god-beneficial-or-whats.html

Answer 5

A lot of people dont choose to do things that are good for them and choose to do things that are very bad

smoking, eating too much, not exercising

Answer 6

HA HA HA HA
That's great!!!!
The sheep need the preachers and the pomp and cicumstance and the threat of hell and damnation to keep them in line. Thinking for themselves has been drummed out of them early on. .

Answer 7

The bible doesn't say that we choose the truth naturally.

Our nature is to go our own way, and when we HEAR the truth it stings us.

Most people run away from things that sting.

Answer 8

We tell people about Gods love for many reasons. First because we are suppose to go forth and share Gods words with people. Second, we fill such joy because of Gods word that we want every one to feel it to. But also think about it, it certainly made an impression on you or you would not have asked this question. It got you asking questions about it didn't it. duh!

Answer 9

i like that PBUH smartass. Real classy...and the TM and everything. I really wish I'd thought of it. You bastard.

Answer 10

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful." — Seneca the Younger (4BC-65AD).