why do people believe in the religion they do?

Question

I'm trying to gather information on the different religions and why people believe in them. I know this subject can be touchy and im trying to be as blunt as possible to see what kinda answers i get. Also I want to know why people choose to follow a religion in general? Also If you are religious, does it bother you that people are constantly trying to prove things void within your religion and disprove what you've always known. Also How do you deal with people of other religions who obviously believe they have the superior establishment. If you'd like any of this clarified let me know and ill try to word it better...

Answer 1

Why?
Want my serious answer?
Instinct.

We want to get along with the people around us.
We know that getting along with SOMEONE is our only chance for survival.

This is something we're aware of as infants.
Automatically we try to adapt.
That's why we learn to speak a language.
That's why we adopt culture-specific habits and rituals.

Just like learning to communicate and avoiding actions that are recognizably "taboo", we adopt a religion for that sense of community.

It also helps if the social code we were programmed to believe related to the religion we chose to partake in; or moreso our programming is done through the religion. That way not only do we have a reason for our actions (insert deity), but we also have the authority of our religion to assure us that our choices are (for the most part) correct.

Those who weren't raised into their religion also tend to adopt a religion out of desperation. It's a comfort to immerse yourself in a community of people who are encouraging with their philosophy.

OF COURSE religious people are bothered by others constantly trying to prove them wrong. Who likes to be wrong? What happened to freedom of religion? You can think someone's an idiot because of their religion, but that doesn't mean you have to express it to them and try to change them.. Unless, of course, they're trying to impose their religion on you. (See Jehovah's Witnesses).

I think acceptance of other religions is key, because there's always going to be a person that disagrees with you. If your religion doesn't allow that kind of acceptance, well, you're screwed. =D

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Other reasons people believe in a religion:

- They need reassurance that they're going somewhere after they die.
- Same reassurance of a "purpose" in life.
- Fellow worshipers are always willing to help a friend in need. $$$
- They require an excuse for something hypocritical and aren't that creative.
- They absolutely NEED an "unseen force" to authorize their every move because they cannot think for themselves.
- God is the only one who can prevent a person from committing the suicidal act that they are too chicken sh*t to do anyways... I suppose that's a good thing.

Answer 2

Why do people believe in the religion do? There are a few reasons I can think of. 1) It's tradition. One's family has followed a certain faith for generations. 2) They have studied and found a religion that makes sense to them. 3) They are trying to find hope in an otherwise dismal situation and turn to religion.

The reason I choose to stay in this religion is because it all makes sense to me. I have found great meaning in having a relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. And I don't ever want to lose that.

Does it bother me when people are trying to prove my religion wrong? Not really (for the most part). What does bother me is when someone tells me that I need to accept Jesus as my Savior. Even though I don't believe in the Trinity, it doesn't mean that I don't accept Jesus as my Savior. I suppose more than anything, it's frustrating when I say what I believe and others don't listen. (Fortunately, I've usually only encountered this on Yahoo Answers. People in real life are usually more understanding of my beliefs).

How do I deal with people who believe they have the better church? I treat them like I would anyone else. I give them a chance to show me their good side. If they happen to be purposely rude, I ignore them. (Nothing good would happen if I continued to talk to them. Rather than say something I'd regret, I just keep my mouth shut and try to forget that they exist). It doesn't really bother me that people hold different beliefs than I do though. I think I can learn good things from all sorts of places and people.

Answer 3

first of all, look at it this way. Buddhists and different religions are serving non-residing gods. Christianity is the only faith with a real and residing God. As for discerning between JW's, Methodists, Baptists, etc...you're gonna would desire to verify the Bible and make certain that your self. John 3:sixteen - For God so enjoyed the international that He gave his merely begotten Son that whoever believes in Him won't perish, yet somewhat have eternal lifestyles. Basement cat: how are you able to declare everyone seems to be right? there is not any such concern as absolute actuality. How can one guy or woman be the excellent option and the different guy or woman incorrect. as quickly as I say 2+2 is 4. that's 4! merely by way of fact my 5 12 months previous nephew says the respond is 5 would not make us the two the excellent option! There must be a the excellent option and incorrect answer!

Answer 4

I was raised Anglican, became a devout Roman Catholic in high school, and then an atheist in university -- the more I learned about the scope of human history, the less sense the claims of Christianity made.

After several years of atheism, I had an encounter with what I interpreted to be the Divine presence in the form of the Goddess. When I decided (after a few weeks of mulling things over) to investigate atheism again, Wicca was the religion that made the most sense to me, struck me as the most beautiful way for me personally to honor Her, and had the moral code closest to my existing ethics.

I follow the Wiccan religion, as I said, because I find it quite beautiful, it makes sense to me, and it allows me to worship in common with other Wiccans (an experience that I greatly value).

Having other people doubt my religion doesn't bother me very much. They're not Wiccan themselves, so how would they know what the internal experience of it is like or whether or not it is valid? Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own religious (or non-religious) path. What bothers me is when people spread lies about my faith, calling us Satan-worshippers, for example. This grieves me.

I do my best to tell people the truth about Wicca when it is appropriate to do so, and to answer the questions of those who are curious about the religion. However, like the vast majority of Wiccans, I will not prosyletize. Why should I? As far as I (and most Wiccans) are concerned, God/dess is too big to fit inside any one religion, and all religions are potentially valid paths to the Divine -- and atheism and agnosticism are also honorable perspectives on the mystery of life.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

belief in ANY religion is supposed to bring spiritual comfort. That may mean many things to many different people but the hope that there is something better to look forward to after we leave this life is a good guidance to many to do right and expect to be rewarded in the "next life". It's just a logical way to think and believe in something that cannot be disproved.

Answer 6

Simply put, people chose to beleive what they want. Most of the time it involves an attraction to an idea or concept that attracts them to a specific faith.

I can only speak for myself as a Christian. I believe what I do because I feel that I have researched ( prayed, read, pondered) the Bible enough to understand its meanings and purpose. I chose the denomination I did becuae I believe that they practice the Christian faith to its fullest, instead of leaving out the parts that they feel to be difficult or just not romantic enough.

People tend to build their opinions on what they believe to be so strong that they feel it neccesary to push their views on others who don't feel the same. It comes down to a "holier than thou" attitude. This is actually completely contrary to Christianity as it is not our job to judge others in their faith. Religion is completely between you and God and no one else. The best way to deal with these people is to distance yourself from them and don't engage in banter of whose right or wrong. You will not win. Only they can change their views and if they are picking on your beliefs they have a closed mind already.

The whole reason that I chose to be Christian, besides an unexplainable drive to do so, is that I believe in the divine creation of the world and everything around it. I don't believe science in its attempt to explain a perfect balance from an accident.

Answer 7

I'm Pagan. I believe it because I've had enough religious experiences to believe in the Divine and because polytheism both makes sense and fits my experiences.

I don't mind if other people think I'm wrong or if they want to talk to me about their religion for a while. I love religious studies and am happy to listen to their thoughts. If they badger me, well, I have better things to do. I can't spend all my time discussing religion. I do have a job. :D

Answer 8

Religion is something many people believe in because it is something that explains their existence in the world and how life came to be on our planet. Yes it does bother me when people try to disprove what I have always known because it is something I have grown up with. As for your last question, you can do nothing but believe harder in what you believe is right!

Answer 9

Usually they have been brought up in a particular religious belief system from a very early age. Well before they could logically evaluate what they were being told.

I actually know adults who believe in a judgmental punishing God who would allow a place like hell to exist.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 10

1) All religions except one follow the same code of good and evil except for sexual mores...a liar ia a liar and a thief is a thief.

2) All religions except one lead man to maximize his spirit to force the will to follow the code for reward or to avoid a negative outcome.

3) All religions except one are a shadow of the truth and all follow more or less the same path to "nirvana".

4) the only one that is different is Christ. Christ revealed the true code of God, proved that we could not accomplish nirvana, lived the life we all need to live (vow of poverty, vow of chastity, etc), lived a spiritual existence under the code (with the only true Spirit of God..not an imposter or the image that is of man), finished the life that we cannot live, and then offered himself to experience being forsaken by God (which no one who has ever lived has experienced...yet..whether you believe it or not), and then conquered death for all who trust Him.

5) Christ will give us the same Spirit that led Him to victory and this Spirit will change us one step at a time meeting our true need and cause us to want to be like Christ as opposed to thinking we have to be like Christ...desire vs duty.

6) As we humble ourselves before our Father in Christ by the Spirit, God will lift us up...no one can boast..all glory to the Lord !!

agapefromnc