How can believing in a religion give "hope" and "meaning" to people's lives?

Question

surely living your life knowing there is nothing else after you die would make you live a fuller and better life, making the most of every day....right??

Answer 1

If you think there is no purpose, no hope, no meaning, no point to your existence, then I would think that you would want to keep busy and keep your mind focused on happy thoughts and away from the impending end of everything.

It is like a prisoner condemned to die in the morning. All night long the prisoner can joke and laugh and keep "happy" just as long as he doesn't think about reality.

The only hope for the hopeless lies in self delusion.

Answer 2

I am not religious. But a close friend of mine died over a year ago. I remember being so shocked and then horrified. I too was going to die. Of course I have known that for a long time, but it never really hit me. Well it did then... hard. I did not get spiritual or anything but I learned what the fear of dying is. People believe because it is comforting. People believe because death is a scary thing, without knowing where you are going. It gives them peace of mind. I don't hate them for it! But I agree living for today is the best way to be!

Answer 3

Actually, for me, the concept of their being nothing after this life would be depressing. To believe that I would never see my daughter again would be terrible. To live in a world where injustice rules in the government and on the streets is frightening.

I know that people who do not have a religious faith will say that I have a false faith. I don't mind that. It is their opinion.

However, to KNOW that God is real is to believe in true justice. I had a lady who was falsely accused of child abuse. She was a very caring mother. Her child had an illness that stopped his growth and incapacitated his mind. She lovingly cared for him through many crises. She was found guilty despite three doctors testifying to the quality of the care she gave her son. The state took control of her son. He died several months later under state control.

Where is justice for this woman? My belief gives me the hope that God will rectify this wrong in the final judgment. It also teaches me that her son will be restored in heaven where she can see him whole and healthy.

For me, my faith teaches me that there is accountability in the end. It teaches me that I will look upon the face of the Creator of all and see Him who is love. It teaches me that I will see my family in heaven. It teaches me of a time when sin is destroyed and love reigns eternal.

This is true hope.

Pastor John

Answer 4

Believing in a higher power gives people hope that someone's got their back and that life is not a meaningless, random existence. Belonging to a brotherhood of believers makes people think that they are not alone in the world, that everyone has problems and things are not that bad especially since they have support system.

Answer 5

They have 'hope' that everyone can be seen again in an afterlife-and that they're immoretal. I have no idea what makes them think their life is meaningful. Maybe that's why they try so hard to convert people-so they're life will have meaning. Unlike the millions who have lived and died before them.

Answer 6

Religion is, in general, a mental means to deal with death.
The fuller and more complex the belief, the more death becomes a non-issue.

Its hard to be concerned about death when you are MORE concerned with Heaven or Hell.

Answer 7

I have faith in God and His Son. I express it through my church and its teachings.

And you're right. For an avowed atheist the ONLY life philosophy that makes any sense is total hedonism.

Answer 8

I believe in God ,not a man made religion. Jesus established a church, not a religion