Is religion rational?

Question

general religion, no certain religions or denominations. People can be rational or irrational, but because they are religious...does that make them irrational or rational? Or non-religious, whichever you prefer to state.

On another website, someone stated that they felt religious people were often more rational than those who weren't. I felt that that was the biggest slice of bologna ever.

Answer 1

I find nothing at all rational about religion. Everything is done just because a certain god said to do it in an unauthorized ancient book with dubious originations. They kill because they disagree on the interpretation of the book. They make up dogma and rituals because of the book. They make promises because of the book. They pretend to have a personal relationship with an invisible being because of the book. Their excuse for everything they do is "it's in the book".

This is why I am an atheist.

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AD

Answer 2

Religion in general is irrational. In order for a belief to be rational, it has to be based on, and limited by, objective evidence. This also implies it would be subject to modification as new evidence comes in. Religious belief is based on subjective experience and is generally absolute, so it's irrational.

Aside from their religion, believers can be either rational or irrational. The rational ones generally understand that faith is *not* rational. The irrational ones are here on R&S trying to argue people out of atheism with what they mistake for logic.

Answer 3

All religions were born rational, no doubt about it. It is the interpretation or mis-interpretation that makes it irrational. One needs to use his logical thinking rather than being guided by the so called Gurus of a religion. History has seen innumberable incidences of regions being used for inhuman purposes. You can't blame religions for that.
Alexander warred almost through out the life, which religion tells you to fight?
Parsis moved from Iran to India to save their religion. Now they are so conservative in life style that their religion is on the to extinct.
Islam preaches to help others, the sad truth is, they are the reason behing most of the wars the world has seen in last 100 years.
To conclude, an individual should cultivate a self reasoning habit to take the maximum advantage of the religion rather than blindly follow what one says in the name of religion.

Answer 4

By it's very nature, religion may be considered "irrational" in that it does not stand on reason to establish validity. Religion is a personal experience largely within the realm of spirituality.

Some people do not have a strong spiritual side and don't find any satisfaction in religion of any kind. Those that do usually feel a need to accommodate their spiritual yearnings in some outward fashion or action.

"Believers" tend to verify their religion through experience. "Non-believers" rely on the intellectual pursuit of verification through tangible or perceptible evidence.

Rationality is not necessarily a result of applying reason, however. A rational person is often measured by his or her deviation from what is socially considered the 'norm'. In our society, a rational person is 'normal', an irrational person is not. Perhaps the poster on the website was making reference to social normality rather than someone who seeks verification through tangible evidence.

In any event, I don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion nor your application of the slice of lunch meet to the statement to which you reacted.

Answer 5

What is the difference between Magical and Miracle? Religion is the belief in magic. To someone who shuns reality, religion would appear to be rational. It is also based on the fear of death, which can be considered rational.

Answer 6

I myself holding religion to the depths of me since I was young, to the days I live now, no I am not rational in the sense of earthly/worldly views but when my rational kicks in spiritually there is no other that knows more than myself besides God Himself. Spiritually speaking.

God Bless You!
God Be With You Always!

Answer 7

Religion can be rational or irrational, just like anything else. But keep in mind that "rational" does not equal "scientific," unless you are a logical positivist.

Answer 8

peace be upon you
my religion is not rational and i think also all religion is not rational too.

Answer 9

Understanding that human experience involves both tangibles and intangibles, it is.

Answer 10

NO...

Since when does faith require rationality???

Aren't they kind of opposing concepts???