2007-12-03 09:10:14 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In short, this question is "why do people behave as they do?" I don't think we are close to answering this question.
It's not so easy as calling them simpletons. Mainly because it's wrong (i.e. religion has its share of very intelligent people). I think we may be hardwired to believe what parents and authority say. Add the social benefits of having institutionalized organization of your society and there can be some very strong pressures to maintain it.
I read the idea of being hardwired to believe your parent from Dawkins. It makes sense that it much better to simply take what your parents and authority say than to test every claim (many bits of knowledge describe how to avoid getting killed - testing them may be your death). He suggests religion may be a set of beliefs that work well given the way human belief works. It's also possible that the organization attributes of religion may produce a large group benefit.
2007-12-03 09:20:42 · answer #1 · answered by DogmaBites 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
People get a sense of security since many other people a part of a organized religion.
2007-12-03 17:13:35 · answer #2 · answered by Ode to the Damned® ÆA NR 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Acceptance -
If Christianity wasn't so completely and obviously false, I would go to church myself. It's a nice little social club. It's a great place to pick up chicks, too.
In fact, I'm a singer on the side. I was actually thinking of starting a Christian band just for laughs. It'd be funny to see how many churches I could gig at. :)
(And if you don't think I could fake being a Christian... you'd be WRONG :)
2007-12-03 17:16:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The same thing that makes celebrities popular. Ignorance of the masses.
2007-12-03 17:16:36 · answer #4 · answered by alee522 2 · 3⤊ 3⤋
It is made to be appealing to a targeted group of people.
2007-12-03 17:27:17 · answer #5 · answered by BOC 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because you no longer have to think for yourself. Life is hard, religion is easy.
2007-12-03 17:18:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe it makes people feel safe. Maybe they just feel stronger being surrounded by others with the same views.
2007-12-03 17:16:40 · answer #7 · answered by geni 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The fact that it is all subjective, and when there is no real evidence to support belief, we tend to go with the majority.
2007-12-03 17:15:11 · answer #8 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
the flock mentality that all human beings seem to have. belonging to a group is important to some people. it makes it easy to avoid decision making on your own.
2007-12-03 17:16:16 · answer #9 · answered by amanda c 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
People feel stronger in a group and they feel superior to others.
2007-12-03 17:18:15 · answer #10 · answered by whrldpz 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋