What compels people to believe in religion/faith?

Question

For this question, please put your personal beliefs aside. Answers like 'because God is the only one' and etc etc are not what I'm looking for.

I don't understand religion very well as I come from a strong atheist background, but I do know that the Christian church ask for money and other religions take up almost all of your day praying.

So there must be some thing that attracts people to religion?

Because I personally feel that there are more valid things to spend money on and more productive things to do in a day.

I hope I havn't offended anyone and you understand what I'm asking.

Answer 1

The answer probably lies in evolution. About 4% of the population see visions and hear things that are not there. To have these hallucinations you don't have to be mentally ill although they often accompany illness. 10% of the population will suffer some mental illness. Unstable states of mind lead one to have emotional surges and passionate beliefs, including "magical" feelings. These can be the basis for art, vivid imaginings and an exploration of one's psyche can produce Art.

Reading New Scientist magazine recently; there are a number of articles linking religious belief with evolution, the idea that our powerful brains can generate odd ideas and beliefs and that groups which passionately believe something together can be more effective in peace or war. What it does to the individuals is another matter. In evolution it is the survival of the group gene pool that matters not the individual.

Answer 2

First, religion is more than just "give me, give me, give me." It is about a relationship. I personally endorse Christianity but not a specific branch of faith within it. Faith is belief in something (i.e. God) even though their is no physical proof that it exists. Put them together and religious faith is believe in God and building a relationship with him. Although there are things that the Bible recommends that Christians should do, it does not mandate that a Christians needs to do these things in order to recieve salvation. My recommendation to you would be to pick up a Bible and read through it. Find a study one that will help you answer some of the question that you may have while you read it. You may not become a believer, not that I am trying to force it upon you, but you will have a better understanding what and why we believe what we believe. Thank you for your question and good luck in getting your responses. God bless.

Answer 3

Humans perceive the world as chaos because of the limits of the fore brain. Psychologically, religion gives them a structure for organizing the overwhelming influx of data life throws at them. It can also give them hope, a sense of belonging, and it can create a natural high in the brain similar to what happens when you have an orgasm or eat chocolate.

I actually believe that it's better for a person to believe in something rather than nothing, as long as the something is kept in perspective. When you start passing laws and conducting wars or inquisitions, you've over done it. That's what happens when you get the map confused with the territory.

Answer 4

Tradition

Answer 5

Mainly that they were bought up that way.

Very few people bought up without a religion end up religious later on in life while of those who are raised religious about two thirds remain religious (though one can certainly question how religious they actually are).

Answer 6

People have to believe in something. They have to believe there is more to their lives than what they live every day, day in and day out.

"Why am I here?"

No one really understands or can explain why we are here. We are born...live our lives...then die. For what purpose? I don't know. But, there has to be something other than what we are, and to be what we are, we need something to hope for.

Simply put: People have to have something to reach out to, real or imagined, it doesn't matter. But whatever it is, it is a faith in something. Religion provides that to people. To be with others that have the same hopes and fears allows a person to feel safe and hopeful there is something waiting for them.