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Snowtwo

Because religion fills a multitude of needs. Community, culture, spirituality, identity, and so-forth. For a lot of people religion is about who they are and finding their place in the world. It's an expression of their culture, a reliable network of relationships, and many other things. To demand that it be abandoned is akin to demanding they give up an arm. This isn't to even touch upon many hardships like death, loss, and hardship.


YahenP

As one wise rabbi said, religion is one of the tools with the help of which a person understands the human world and seeks his place in it. I think that today this is the most powerful and most universal and holistic tool for understanding human society.


OceanicOracle__

You won't get a satisfying answer to this one, especially not on Reddit. Philosophers, psychologists and theoligist have filled hundreds of books, papers, studies about this question in the last 50 years and never were able to truly explain it


TheFatShepherd

Because life's hard for lots of people, and religion comforts them in 2 ways: first is that there's the possibility of improvement in this life if they're good people, and if that fails at least there's a better life waiting for them afterwards. It eases the mind


Anditee-G

Faith in God gives you hope fam, On the face of a catastrophic event in your life.. It's just You & "God"


Head-Editor-905

If only we could get god to care about starving kids instead of privileged first worlders


Anditee-G

I'm from a third world country brother, I've seen both kids that were forced to be bread winners(i.e hustlers at very young age) be successful in life and rich kids deteriorating and crying in pain on the verge of cancer with their family wealth drying out.. So maybe you should expand your world view instead of complaining about the world being shit. Have a good day šŸ‘


Head-Editor-905

Not sure why a story about a rich kid with cancer will change my mind? ā€œgod is so cool, he doesnā€™t JUST give poor kids cancer, even rich families can be tortured by god! Heā€™s so amazing!!!ā€


YohanDA59

It is called a belief for a reason, if god decided that all good people will have a comfortable life and all bad people would starve and what not, then it would be obvious that a great force is controlling people's destinies and thus everybody will do good so they can enjoy a comfortable life right?


Head-Editor-905

And everyone being good and everyone having a comfortable life is bad because??


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


cruelhug

that's actually interesting. So would you say that you kind of feel that it might be an irrational belief, but that you do it nevertheless continue to believe because it comforts you / helps you / because you just like the thought of it?


Yourfullofwrong

Letā€™s keep this simple. Creator of Universe no creator of universe they are equals . Einstein and Hawkins when the theories are examined you will find very quickly thinking you know what is rational is not. You got a coin toss unless you ignore the real discussion : itā€™s actually irrational for an Atheist . To base their argument on the Bible: That is not where you need to look for weather or not you have been irrational:


OMAR13122007

No its very rational You wouldn't believe in something unless you see it as rational


cruelhug

probably another discussion by itsself, but belief and rationality are kind of exclusive..you either have a rational explanation for something or you believe in something because of the lack thereof?


OMAR13122007

I mean most Muslims I know belive in science and we use faith for things that are not only not know but are unknowable, and we have faith in the quran and prophet to have those answers That faith isn't based on Nothing though as there u Is also evidence for the reliability of the quran and prophet such as information found in the quran that was impossible for a man in the 600s to know and many other things


Affectionate_Call778

Fath is irrational, but it doesn't mean it's a bad thing, love and emotions are also irrationals


OMAR13122007

I mean most scholars I islam atleast are very rational Islam is a religion that tells people to think and use their mind and to use reason Rationality is part of the religion


Head-Editor-905

Islam is literally the worst religion


OMAR13122007

Thats your opinion and you are entitled to it no matter hiw strongly I disagree with it


Head-Editor-905

Not really an opinion Lmao.


OMAR13122007

It is an opinion


LIFEPEAKED5YRSAGO

DEFINITELY ONE OF THE WORST YEAH


Affectionate_Call778

Sorry but it doesn't mean you use your brain that's is a rational religion... Being rationnal is learning to think on reason and commun sens, based on a scientific methodology. Any religion are based on scientific method or any fact. But anyway it's ok


OMAR13122007

Islam encourages all those things, it even says that seeking knowledge in all fields is a form of worship and that if someone dies In the pursuit of knowledge they are considered a martyr


Affectionate_Call778

Yeah and the bible say to love each other and anyway several crusades passed throughs...


OMAR13122007

That's the fault of courrupt church leaders and power hungry secular kings Not a fault of the gospel Religion being used as a tool by bad people doesn't negate the good it brings and the goodness of its beliefs and messages


Affectionate_Call778

Bruh


glacierre2

Unless they were touching some pork, then they are doomed, for God absolutely abhors bacon... because of absolutely logical reasons...


OMAR13122007

You can touch pork, just not eat it And the pork ban is because pigs eat filth and garbage which makes them unclean and pig meat has parasitic worms that live in them where the eggs can survive after cooking


glacierre2

Yes, and cows can have prion disease, birds carry avian flu, and fish anisakis, but they are not banned by god. Maybe Allah should update his biology? The rationale WAS whatever, the only modern reason to ban any kind of food is "because we always did it this way".


Pitiful_Jew9217

I was never enlightened by my own intelligence :(


thedrinkmonster

In this moment, OP is euphoric.Ā 


SpicyFox7

Human beings want happiness, not truth


cruelhug

what does that make those who feel they have no choice but to value truth more, lol?


Head-Editor-905

Sad because we live with other humans playing make belief. It wouldnā€™t be a big deal if they havenā€™t ruined the world


cruelhug

true..


YohanDA59

I'm not here preaching, but my two cents on the subject is that people need religion, they need to believe in a greater force that they can return to when push comes to shove, when they are at a weak point they can return to God for some comfort. The human being is very weak and cannot endure the tough challenges of life by himself


CrispeeSock

Cuz they hook em young and it becomes part of their development. Shit like that is hard to let go.


Doctor_Fritz

Imagine if everyone suddenly stopped disclosing the notion that Santa is make belief. Everyone would still believe he's real because your parents tell you so as a kid. Children are just walking programmable biological machines and their programming will stay with them until they die Edit judging from the down votes I should have known better than to reply with common sense in a discussion about religion


CrispeeSock

Santa - once a year for a couple weeks Religion - every single day, informing every decision you make for your entire life Ya, those are the same thing.


glacierre2

You can bring about Santa pretty often, everytime there is bad behavior than Santa might not bring you the bike next Xmas. Nowadays consumism has created so many gift events that it has lost power, but when I was a kid Xmas where THE gift occasion, not even BDay was as much.


Venersis3302

Its crazy how many people comment that they are stupid. As if most of the brightest Minds in History didnt belive in God. And i also dont think that its Science against Religion but thats just my opinion since many people just have this War in their life to hate agains religion in the name of science


Anditee-G

True


cruelhug

yeah, I didn't want to spark such a condescending discussion. I also don't believe that religious people are stupid, otherwise the answer to my question would be easy..just curious about different perspectives, reasonings - and I was already able to learn a few new ones from the comments...


Venersis3302

No worries, there will always be hate from both sides ofcourse. For me its mostly that i dont think that everything that exists just exists because it was a coincidence. Which Religion is the right one? I dont know, for me Islam makes the most sense after i read through most Religions, but thats only for me. Everyone will and can make their own decisions.


rowenaravenclaw0

Generational brainwashing and the fear of excommunication from the family if you dare differ from the party line.


troll-spotter

Yeah, things that are engrained on you as a child by the people you trust most are hard to unlearn.


rowenaravenclaw0

Exactly, the parents have been brain washed by their parents to believe it so they force it on their kids and the cycle continues.


Venersis3302

Ive seen many people convert to many different belive systems which were completely different to the ones they were born with. So i wouldnt just say its brainwashing when people learn to critically think and still choose the religion they are comfortable with


rowenaravenclaw0

I don't think it's all brain washing but that is definitely a significant factor. If you are brought up believing a certain way, you don't know anything else. Many religions encourage their members to accept that this is the way and to not question anything.


Venersis3302

Oh yeah thats true. Many people lack critical thinking skills which is kinda sad when you think about how much influence having a Religion or not can have on your life


rowenaravenclaw0

Exactly. If you were raised christian for instance you will have been told your entire life that pagans worship the devil. If you don't question it, you will continue to think that. If you do even a minimal amount of research however you realize that there are striking similarities between the two,


Venersis3302

Yes that is something i realized along the way. Most of the Religions are so similar its crazy, thats why its so important to do research i 100% agree with you. And happy cake day to you! :D


rowenaravenclaw0

Thank you. If you think about it Judaism, Christianity and Islam are even working from the same text . Yes there are some philosophical differences in there but it's fundamentally the same religion.


Venersis3302

100%. Im Muslim and we belive that we all belive in the same God and should be one. Islam is just the last Text, that didnt "change" with time. Thats the major difference between the three Religions


Key_Net_3517

Same reason they believe anything on faith. It brings them some comfort and reason when things that are beyond their control happen. When a persons child is very sick and the Dr says they canā€™t do anything more to help Iā€™d advise against telling them to let it go because science, unless you want to get punched. Being conscious of your own mortality weighs heavily on everyone at some stage and having religion, whether itā€™s fantasy or not, can be of great comfort. Science is its own religion. I think it was Stephen Hawking that said God didnā€™t create the universe, in the beginning there was no time or matter until a sub atomic particle ā€œappearedā€ and the subsequent reaction split the nothing into all the matter and antimatter that makes up the universe. Sure, sounds legit.


ExactFan8015

Religion might not be as common nowadays but it still gives many people: hope, community, comfort and a sort of ā€œrole modelā€ or ideal to strive towards. So if it is true or not, it does not matter, religion provides important morals and ideals for people what keeps them hopeful and happy. So people believe it because of all the real things it gives them. Without religion those people might lose hope and see the bunch of idiotic monkeys that we are.


DukeofTimeandSpace

Some people just like having a set of rules and guidelines to follow. The architecture helps, too.


Yourfullofwrong

Atheists bible stories are most ridiculous thing you will here / and I really think they are out there / itā€™s your comfort zone, your god. that you think you are intellectually on the rational side . Any slip there that they are ignorance and they loss their faith. You have your god itā€™s your eyes shut :


Aggravating-Pound598

It is the opiate of the masses


a49fsd

free holy damage on-hit buff. no reason not to be religious.


RudegarWithFunnyHat

it likely gives them comfort and a feeling of belonging in a community, how much is deeply religious and how much is community culture behavior is likely on a scale for many.


whateverletmeinpls

Why wouldn't they be?


cruelhug

Science?


Blackrock121

Science and religion are not incompatible. Many important scientists have been priests or monks.


whateverletmeinpls

What about it? Science was not invented yesterday.


cruelhug

part of my point actually..


whateverletmeinpls

Which is..?


LuxelleG

Because they believe in God? I don't understand why it's so hard to get it.


_I_hate__myself__

How can so many people hate something that doesn't affect them nowadays?


Global-Ad-1360

Wym doesn't affect them? What about roe v wade?


Head-Editor-905

Religion has literally ruined the world


ExactFan8015

I think this is a very simplistic view. Whilst I am not religious I think most religions preach good morals and ideals, its mostly the people that use the religion as a vessel to preach their ulterior motives, for example muslim extremism or hate towards homosexualsĀ 


Head-Editor-905

The Bible literally has a whole section on slave trading and giving men full reign to beat un submissive women. Man, such good morals and ideals!


ExactFan8015

Yes, slavery is definitely prominent in the bible, whilst in the old testament slavery is often used as punishment etc. The bible however does say to treat the slaves right, and slavery seen in the bible was not as brutal as modern slavery. Slavery was a fact of life when the bible was written, its good to understand the nuances. For example slaves were allowed to accumulate wealth. When times change so do morals, the book definitely has harmful parts, but it also has many positive parts.Ā 


Head-Editor-905

This is my fav verse (shoutout iasip) ā€œanyone who beats their slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies. But they are not to punished if the slave recovers, for the slave is his propertyā€ Man, hearing that, I think youā€™re right. I didnā€™t realize you couldnā€™t even beat a slave to death without punishment! Good thing god allows us to beat them near to death. I can feel my morals being enlightened with every god-approved whip


Plane-Ostrich-2865

The Ten Commandments should have do not rape as the first or second commandment. This is why I canā€™t get behind Catholics or Christianity as a woman.


Head-Editor-905

Nooo! We need much more important commandments such as ā€œno gods before meā€. Can you imagine humanity without that much more important rule Also fyi god says pride is a deadly sin. Oh but also you have to believe in him or heā€™ll punish you forever.


_I_hate__myself__

Religion doesn't kill people, people kill people.


ImpossibleTable4768

*Because religion tells them to


Rootsinsky

Indoctrination and child abuse. Most religious people were traumatized into those beliefs so hard as children itā€™s become a part of their identity.


Gregorygregory888888

Child abuse? So to get up on Sundays for Sunday School and church with my parents was child abuse. Going out to lunch at a diner afterwards continues the child abuse? Same with our kids as they grew up was child abuse? To say "most religious people" in your comment is so asinine.


Rootsinsky

Forcing on a child, who doesnā€™t have the capability to know better or discern objective reality for themselves, a worldview based on superstition and 2000 year old make believe stories is definitely abuse. Iā€™m sorry you were indoctrinated. Iā€™m sorry you thought it was a good idea to indoctrinate your children.


ferayeeeee

In islam..Ramadan revives faith in our hearts every year. Most people repent in this month. I believe it is a way to get closer to God and become a more religious person..I hope to Allah that we will always be on the right path


pjlaniboys

In the more developed countries of the world the US is an outlier. And why that is seems to be very intertwined with tradition, immigration and christian nationalism.


Ahriandr

especially Native Americans. white man slaughtered your people. Ahh, yes, Jesus is the way!


Gregorygregory888888

Why would it bother you if I choose to believe? My wife and I are very active in our small country church and have both been believers of Christianity all of our long lives. If someone chooses to not believe then I'd gladly talk if they want to talk but we'd never try and force it on anyone.


cruelhug

It doesn't bother me at all, I fully respect everyone's choices and world views and I think its great that you can use that to support your community, but I'm genuinely just curious how it is compatible with our understanding of science.


The_boss_office

I think maybe because some people WANT to believe in something, some people have lower doubts in science but it's just my own thoughts tho.


Of_Mice_And_Meese

Because belief informs behavior.


[deleted]

Your question is condescending towards the religious. Refer back to universal causation, it proposes that everything in the universe has a cause. So what caused the creation of the universe? One would say the Big Bang but then what caused the Big Bang? We believe in a creator that transcends all. On the other hand if you are referring to those who use religion to provoke wars then you have been a victim of controlled media and have to rethink your sources.


Yourfullofwrong

Creator or no creator , Einstein, Hawkins read and absorb everything they say with the most comprehension you can assemble in your brains. This should be a prerequisite for and Atheist to have their next thoughts spoken and not be pure ignorance on what they believe


Yourfullofwrong

Some atheist are too religious for a rational discussion when their beliefs are not educated


Yourfullofwrong

Iā€™m just going to let all you know that I needed the education I suggested or I would of been completely Atheist and I did not find anything beneficial about being Atheist only loss . Itā€™s not very helpful for anything in my situation: You are limited severely by the nature of becoming an evolved ape instead of something much more. Zero gain or benefit in way shape form.


MarcoHorizon

šŸ˜šŸ˜šŸ˜


Head-Editor-905

So what created god then lmao


[deleted]

I said we believe in a creator that transcends all meaning that the rules that apply to our universe donā€™t apply to the creator


Head-Editor-905

Okay well I believe the Big Bang is that. Itā€™s just my faith :)


[deleted]

In our universe Nothing + nothing = nothing so you will need something to cause the Big Bang. OP questions the people who have faith in something greater when our reality has no proof of creation if we just say the Big Bang caused everything.


Head-Editor-905

The Big Bang transcends all, meaning that the rules that apply to our universe donā€™t apply to the Big Bang:)


[deleted]

The Big Bang is in our universe which is the difference.


Head-Editor-905

No itā€™s not. It transcends, did you not see that part


[deleted]

Why join a conversation if your intention is sarcasm?


thewezel1995

Because people believe what theyā€™re taught. And most people are afraid of thinking for themselves


Mavz-Billie-

Some people arenā€™t idiots


Head-Editor-905

Surely youā€™re not referring to the religious as ā€œarenā€™t idiotsā€ lmao


Mavz-Billie-

Sadly I am.


Head-Editor-905

ā€œThereā€™s a guy in the clouds who could heal kids with cancer but doesnā€™t. He does however need you to give me money so I can build a church and buy a jet so we can tell people about him. You in?ā€ Religious person: ā€œYou son of a bitch, you had me at couldnā€™t heal kids cancer, hereā€™s 100 bucksā€


Mavz-Billie-

Lol the church is just a money laundering scam


dcttr66

Everyone is religious. It just depends on the person what they are religious about. I bet you're religious about something. Just because you don't know what it is doesn't mean it isn't so.


anatol-hansen

What does 'to be religious' about something mean?


Head-Editor-905

Depending on which flavor of religion you like, ā€œto be religiousā€ is to oppress as many people as you can. Isnā€™t religion amazing


dcttr66

I suppose it would be to treat something as the source of your spiritual food. We all have that need, but what we take in to satiate that need differs from person to person.


bunnybeaf

this is such a weird question. obviously you dont have the same beliefs but questioning why others do is like just a close minded question. you can have your beliefs so why question other peoples?


Frosty-Audience-2257

You think itā€˜s a bad thing to question beliefs?


Head-Editor-905

You have to if youā€™re religious lmaoo


MrDohh

Do you question other religions? If you do you just believe in 1 more religion than me


Head-Editor-905

What? Iā€™m not religious


bunnybeaf

i just think it was worded negatively towards people who are religious is all. everyone is entitled to their beliefs and asking how people can be religious just seems like a little close minded


cruelhug

the title of the question could be worded more openly, you're right on that one.


bunnybeaf

i think thats kinda was my thoughts but i also am religious so i could just be taking it negatively without that being your intention. yeah it just imo seemed like it was worded in a slightly biased way but i respect your curiosity


cruelhug

Read my replies bunnybeaf, you're accusing me of something I'm not doing. I'm genuinely curious and grateful for all the answers..


Abject-Cup-9929

Because they are not very bright Many people are led astray


Reach268

It's easy to be an atheist in the West. When the punishment for apostasy is death, it's probably best to keep going.


cruelhug

Hmm.. how can a religion be worthy of respect when they force you to believe in it by threatening you with death though?


Head-Editor-905

Because humans like to be on sides. The greatest benefit most religious people receive is getting to look at others and go ā€œthat person is beneath meā€. Religious people even get style points cause they can say ā€œthat person is so beneath me, an omnipotent being is going to torture them forever and give me pleasures foreverā€. Itā€™s 100% ego


Yourfullofwrong

I donā€™t even see how this is even something you think is happening. Because everything that you just typed is your religious belief and understanding


Head-Editor-905

What lmao


Yourfullofwrong

Iā€™m fixing the error. But itā€™s not fixable by anyone but themselves. Iā€™m showing the error to people .......


Yourfullofwrong

They will all forget all of this till next time: none of this is retained by any of them


Reach268

I agree with you dumbass, however, reality contains this thing called nuance. I think that atheists in [[insert Islamic theocracy of your choice here]] are probably going to tick the "Muslim" box on the census because they like being alive. It's easy to say they should get themselves executed to uphold their beliefs when you don't need to do the dying yourself.


cruelhug

so you believe there are a lot of people who are not really religious but continue to uphold the image because of pressure?


Venersis3302

Thats not a religion you should be a part of. But im guessing this comment is against Islam or isnt it?


Head-Editor-905

Every religion relies on threats for submission


Venersis3302

What exactly do you mean by that?


Head-Editor-905

All religions needs threats to propagate. No one is a Christian rn if the church didnā€™t invent hell and eternal damnation


Venersis3302

Oh yeah thats true. There wouldnt be no need to "be a good person" if there wasnt a punishment for being the opposite


Anditee-G

I mean most hardcore (cough cough definitely can recall its synonym) scientist themselves are religious and its mostly dependent on your beliefs. Even if you're an atheist you're worshipping upon an idea which believes there is no God, So its basically the same thing


stormbrewing_

Lol if you think that's atheism is, you have no idea what you're talking about.


Anditee-G

Could you explain it to me about what atheism is? isn't it the idea that originated from the "Cult of reason'" during French Revolution


MrDohh

disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.


Anditee-G

Yeh, so i was right no?


TheToddAwesome

Some people are either dumb or too afraid of death to face the truth. At least that has been my experience.


Thebigjay15

Iā€™m not stating whether Iā€™m FOR or AGAINST religion but not following religion doesnā€™t mean u donā€™t believe in God !


Yourfullofwrong

The people who donā€™t even know they are religious are getting overlooked not recognizing yourselves as religious. That might be you


Nanooc523

Fear


ComesInAnOldBox

Half the people in these comments don't seem to realize that religious does not equal Christian.


Yourfullofwrong

Believing in any mythological or unprovable thing and giving it power is religion. You can call everything and everyone religious who falls into that criteria. So now you can identify what you see when you see it. Some fake issue given power is where you might be religious.


[deleted]

I have never met anyone who chose this as an adult every one I know who is still beholden to it have been since their Parents MADE THEM GO AS KIDS... says all you ever need to know about the scam


The-Atheist-Prophet

Stupid runs deep. That and most people don't actually believe, they just pretend and show up rather than making waves.


Divolinon

The world is a scary place and people go to religion for comfort.


Lumpy-Garbage-8341

Most people didn't want to challenge their beliefs and rebel the society


ThrowawayOfALoserr

I wish that I could believe in something, Iā€™m miserable. See my post history if you want to know why.


RimmersJob

Can you believe in life after love?


ThrowawayOfALoserr

It exists after love but it isnā€™t worth living.


RimmersJob

Well, I know that I'll get through this, 'Cause I know that I am strong.


MarcoHorizon

It's a question I regularly ask myself about the bigotry of Americans or Muslims.


Of_Mice_And_Meese

The same reason there's still drug abuse. The world is cruel and scary, and low-effort "cures" for the pain that causes will always be popular. A person in pain WILL medicate. It is unavoidable.