Do you think people hide behind religion?

Question

Do you believe that religion is simply something to make some people feel safe? That they hide behind it because they prefer to not have the scare of what will happen to them in the future? I would really like to hear your opinions. They would be much appreciated thanks!

Let me just add that I do have my own personal beliefs on the subject and just because i ask a question doesn't mean I believe it. I like to know all different concepts. I enjoy knowing how my peers think sp please do not send me e mails about oh i agree with YOU or I don't agree with YOU because it is the subject in which you agree or disagree with. Thanks much love!

Answer 1

i can't speak for everyone else, but i feel that my religion further expresses my personality, motives, and outlook on life. the goal of religion should be to bring out the best in people, in my opinion. but i never really thot about it from ur perpsective. it's totally possible and interesting.

Answer 2

All religion are "refuges" or "safety". However, there are different kinds of religions.

Some religions teach their is eternal life, rebirth or reincarnation so human beings can die with ease and without fear and anxiety.

Other religions look death square in the face, so one becomes completely accepting and at peace with death. In spiritual jargon, this is called learning to "die before dying" and this can be found in every religion on the esoteric level.

Which ever method one uses, the result is similar, however the second method is the safest because one becomes inherently fearless, very clear and perfects how to let go.

The problem with the first method is when a human being is dieing, the mind often naturally inclines towards letting go or release from thinking.

If one's faith is based in "thinking" , that is, an "idea" or "concept", then as the mind inclines towards letting go, one's "belief, idea or concept" naturally disintegrates and the underlying fear can arise causing doubt.

This is why many common religious people have doubts when death comes to them or their loved ones.

And this is why the best way is to look death in the face and remove all fear. However, one must have some fearlessness to do this.

This whole matter and question is important because most people, both religious and non-religious, hide from the future.

If one is not prepared for death then one has been hiding in one way or another.

Answer 3

Of course religon is a safety net, let me define that. Christianity is a safety net because to most of its followers there is no consequence. You can do whatever you want six days a week as long as you go to church on sunday, pay the preacher and say amen.

In the real world there are consequences to your actions. I am wiccan and therefor I live by the law of three. Whatever you do will come back on you three times. It even says something to that matter in there bible. Ye shall reap what ye soe. The thing is, so many ignore that little tidbit and prefer to do as they will the REPENT. What a load of dung. But they keep comeing cause it is safe and iesier to be a follower than think for youself and abide by the natural laws of nature.

Answer 4

Base of pseudo religion is greed and fear! Any concept i.e. so called religion, which divides humanity is against true spiritualism. True spiritualism is way beyond religion. A true spiritual seeker might need religion in the initial phase, as a child needs to hold on to father's finger or take help of stroller to walk around. But at a later stage stroller is a limitation, because with stroller one can not run.

Answer 5

A lot of people are afraid of death. Religion gives them a "script" to follow through life to make things more predictable and ordered on their journey towards the end. Others are followers and just because someone TOLD them to subscribe to a certain faith, they are more than happy to submit.

Some people use religion as a weapon. They use it to judge others, condemn them, criticize them and push them away, or keep them at a distance. Still others are easily manipulated and believe whomever comes along to sway them to their faith, regardless of how restrictive, bizarre or illegal it might be.

Often, people feel more secure in large groups of like-minded people. They could never handle free-thought. Those who choose to travel through life using their own free will and intellect don't have an easy task. It's a lonely path because agnostics, atheists, non-religious don't congregate together to hand over their hard-earned money to help put a hot tub in the preacher's new "spa room." LOL

They don't surrender all reason and logic and believe in a book of fables as the "truth." They bow to no one, supplicate themselves to no cleric who claims to have the ear of a deity. It's pretty much a plan-as-you-go life for the non-religious. But at least there's nothing to hide behind.
:)
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Answer 6

The main problem with Generalisations are the flaws. What needs to be explored here are definitions.

Yes I believe SOME people use religion to spread their hate mongering.

and

Yes I believe SOME people use religion as a safe refuge of non-thought.

But

I also know people who are religious and open minded to new views (even if they conflict)

AND

I know that some people gain considerable strength to fave adversity because of their faith.

This is quite different to my first two suggestions.

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Answer 7

As a Christian I often feel the opposite is true. That many atheists deny God in an attempt to silence their conscience while simultaneously giving themselves permission to sleep around and indulge in every manner of self indulgence. You don't need to be religious to recognize these choices have consequences. It is also far more logical to me to believe in a Gd that always existed than matter self assembling into complex life forms. I also fail to see the basis for morality for atheism. I a not saying atheists have no morals siply they don't understand why they are right. At best the have opinions which vary from person to person. Oe may feel muder is not something they would want to do another another would suggest it's against the law another against common sense. The proble with all the arguments I see is while the holder of suh opinions may be convinced why he feels these things are wrong they have no basis to suggest they are wrong for anybody else. The theist however can say that murder is wrong because God declared it ot be wrong.

Answer 8

I do believe that most people of faith subscribe to a particular religion PRIMARILY because it gives them comfort in some way.

I do NOT believe that most people of faith subscribe to a particular religion because they think it gives the most and truest answers to the "big" questions.

Probably everyone has some fear of death or dying. Brain death is totally unknown to the living, and it might very well be a pretty horrible experience, so convincing yourself that dying is nothing to worry about because there is eternal bliss on the other side is a pretty comforting consolation. But perhaps more significantly, I think fear of Hell has created more converts, more overzealous evangelists, and more bitter fighting for "eternal souls" than the comparatively banal platitudes of eternal life and reward for faith.

Answer 9

I think yes, and in fact they must believe that there is something to feel safe, however, no human being knows the right religion and the absolute truth.
Or, such as Catholics and Muslims follow different religions Jews other, Buddhists another. What is right? Nobody knows! ! !

Answer 10

Maybe some might, I don't. It isn't for me to be safe, I choose to believe. If that is the case, have you hidden behind religion yet? Probably not, that is not the reason behind it. Well, I would be scared not knowing where I will be when my time is up. Like death. Hell is very real. That should be scary enough to me. Ask Jesus Christ into your heart and ask forgiveness for all your sins. What if Hell and Heaven is real? Do you want to take the chance and go to hell? God Bless

Answer 11

Do you believe that religion is simply something to make some people feel safe? That they hide behind it because they prefer to not have the scare of what will happen to them in the future? I would really like to hear your opinions. They would be much appreciated thanks!