Why do people believe in religions?

Question

Why do so many people believe in religions which are unfounded and clearly man-made? Especially when most of those religions contradict themselves endlessly, contain refutable innacuracies, and claim that people are inherently evil? My best guess is that these people have either been brainwashed by society, or feel inherently bad, and therefore need an "escape route" (as it were) of eternal salvation. I guess pascal's wager would count, too, but that doesn't seem to be the main reason for most people. Please base you answers on logic, also, an answer employing Psychology would be great. Furthermore, for religious persons answering the question, please don't use your faith as an answer, as it is an inherent fallacy.

Mighty, I did not intend to say that all people believe in a theistic religion, although I may have implied it with my diction in the question. I always tried to avoid making generalizations. I also like the Tao Te Ching.

Yes, actually I have read The Lottery. I think it is an impressive and insightful short story.

problem, what I have stated (besides my explanation, which is the reason for asking the question in the first place, and therefore should be an opinion) is fact not opinion. Using logic as a basis, you will not be able to refute any of my contentions. Furthermore, I have not shown or even hinted at/alluded to any intolerance of any religion. In fact, I am generally very tolerant of religions, unless said religions involves violence. Furthermore it is disturbing that you feel "no need to justify [your] beliefs." This demonstrates to me that you are unwilling or unable to base you beliefs around any sort of fact, and therefore will believe whatever is told to you.

Jon B, first of all I did not ask a religious person to prove religion with religion. In fact, I did not want anything to be proved. The only thing which has been sought by me is an explanation of the belief in Religion besides using faith as an answer, I shall attempt to explain it to you in plain English, as I can judge from you answer there is some deficiency in you literacy: is there a logical reason to believe in God and/or Religion? And, no, it is no like asking to prove the existence of man without a human specimen. Again, I am not asking to prove anything, and if I were, the metaphor which you have made (foolishly) would be more akin to prove the existence of man with logic. A human specimen would certainly be permissible, as it exists, and it is not an abstract creation. Unfortunately I have run out of characters with which do respond to you answer (dubious at best.) But shortly I shall post another response.

Jon B, here is the second part of my response: Now, having failed with logic to answer my question, you attempt to use another question, which is indeed an even worse way to answer. However, you ask how can people believe in Evolution and the Big Bang. You are right to suggest that it takes a little bit of faith. Science in it's most basic form is based on logic and math. Due to the fact that contradicting logic would require circular reasoning, I will address math. You are right that there is some faith involved, due to the fact that math is based on axioms, such as the fact that 1+1=2. It may sound silly, yet it is true, and all the rest of math (Calculus and the like) is based on proofs relying on these axioms. So basically, yes, it does take faith to say 1+1=2, though you are free to disagree if you like. Also you ask why I care. Well, I care because I am not a Nihilist (which you may be, though I doubt it from the rest of your answer.) TBC.

Furthermore, I care because it bothers me to see so many of my fellow human beings believing blindly in religion with not basis. So it is out of concern that I care. Lastly, I am not incapable understanding religion. If I was, I would not have the capacity to ask this question. So you are, indeed wrong again. Finally, you claim that I am unable to prove the lack of an afterlife. To this I admit, but as you are unable to prove the existence of one, the default state is of not knowing. I'll try to help you out with this one. If someone says they saw a flying spaghetti monster eat a house, in the abscence of proof either way the default state is not believing that person. BTW I am considering reporting you answer.

Wheels, I believe what I believe in because it is sustainable with logic. And because I do not believe in religion, I am not blind to my religion. Also, most of these things do not apply to myself, or I would already have the answer which I am seeking. And yes, I do have a right to my opinion, just unlike others, I chose to back it up with facts and logic. Finally, I'm not really sure how the hundreds of millions of other people who disagree that their faith is a fallacy is really relevant, because they are 1) wrong, as I have proven with logic, and 2) something doesn't magically become true when a lot of people believe in it.

Someone mentioned "to live a good moral life." This actually seems to be one of the best answers so far, but I would disagree with the necessity of religion in this case, because I don't think morality is rooted in religion or God, as it has changed signifcantly over the life of Christianity.

I am growing tired with the moronic answers attacking my reasoning. I would not ask the question if my reasoning was not solid. Furthermore even in the case that my reasoning is wrong, that really doens't change the intrisic qualities of the question. Please post intelligent responses.

Answer 1

I think belief springs from an intellectual short cut. It is very hard to imagine non existence. It is hard to justify social behaviors that have no ultimate benefit after life. Why be good for no benefit when you can be selfish cheat and steal and experience instant gratification with little impact. Instead of challenging these concepts, thinking them through and developing a rationalization for yourself in and on this world, its so much easier to adopt a belief system and then either put it out of your mind or accept the story line, develop a smug self righteousness and preach it to the less aware than you (in your mind anyway).

My theory is summarized in this quote:

"Believing is easier than thinking. Hence so many more believers than thinkers." --Bruce Calvert

Answer 2

You asked a religious person to prove the existence of religion without using religion. This is like asking you to prove the existence of man with using a human specimen. Everything about religion is based on faith. If this in is a fallacy, then please explain how people can believe in things such as evolution or the big bang. True, we have fossils and other items that may allow one to infer that these occurrences took place; however, no one has seen them, nor been able to reproduce them. Therefore, this belief relies on faith.

Furthermore, why do you care. I never understood why people who are unable to comprehend religion, must therefore persecute those who can?

Your fallacy lies in the desire to place a human context on God and your inability to prove the lack of an afterlife or spiritual realm.

Answer 3

I know I have believed in God and Jesus since at least my third birthday. No one forced it on me. I have also experienced miracles that sciences could not explain. Like "Life after Death"; one time I died and was brought back to life and while I was dead I could see my rescue being done below me.
There have also been findings proving the Bible true; like Noah's ark found on top of the highest mountain on this planet, built to the same measurements listed in the Bible.
The inaccuracies you describe of the Bible are mainly from older Bibles where each Bible had to be written out by hand and mistakes were made. In 1947 a cave was found that have the books if the Bible and others from 200 A.D. So if you get a modern Bible these are often fixed. The incorrect lines are often at the bottom, to compare.
Also King James did not want the Bible in his country after the printing press was invented. But he could not stop them from being smuggled in. So he, being a Catholic man, ordered his own made with the order to change 400 words to words of other means (times each used). Like there are eight places where "wild ox" and "wild oxen" are in all other translated Bibles; but the King James has "unicorns" instead. Plus with another 800-900 words have totally changed their meaning over the past 400 years.
So you need a modern Bible to start with. Made from facts, not ordered lies.

Answer 4

Have you ever read "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson? Read it and ask yourself how the town puts up with such a barbaric practice year after year. It's easy to bash on something as illogical as religion, but even you have certain beliefs that may be unshakable - even by logic.

Answer 5

History does not record anywhere at any time a religion that has any rational basis. Religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to stand up to the unknown without help. But, like dandruff, most people do have a religion and spend time and money on it and seem to derive considerable pleasure from fiddling with it.
keep smiling and enjoy the day

Answer 6

Hey Mannzafo,
Why do you believe what you believe in?
You are just blind to your religion.
You have a right to your opinion, but hundreds of millions of people will disagree with you claiming their faith is an inherent fallacy.
In fact, most of the things you wrote well applies to yourself.

Answer 7

Confort and boundries. Jews helped create good tv shows. Muslims helped keep myspace and tagged up and running. Christians bring toys for the young (notice how anything with 'christian in it isn't intoxicated with led). Buddhist ended world war 2. Hindus are imprtant to the 7/11's of the world. Satanists are the best ice cream makers. I could go on forever!

Answer 8

In most cases, religion gives a human a sense of meaning.

Answer 9

Why do you assume such things about my religion?

Go read a copy of the Tao Te Ching.

edit - Then I apologize for reading to much into your question.

Answer 10

Conditioning and/or stupidity (including unreasonable leaps from "personal experience"), these are the only reasons most religions are taken seriously.