Why did mankind invent religion?

Answer 1

Humanity is drawn to religion for many reasons. Some being curiosity, wonder, fear, and to have an identity.

Superstition, and in order to make sense of the world around us. Once a religion becomes viable and its proponents discover a source of profits, we then have temples and offerings and many reasons to donate money or goods to the cause. This is why historically priests have lived pretty well.

Humanity is drawn to religion for the same reason that some are drawn to science. Humanity is seeking s to life/death which goes deeper than simply living to die. Humans refuse to believe that their existence is transient and that they only get one lifetime. Science has been able to provide realistic s to some of the challenging questions about space (heaven), the earth's core (hell), nature (plagues, droughts, floods, storms, etc) and the miracles of genetics. People like to dream of fairytales like Cinderella, Jack's Beanstalk and the Land of Oz because it lets them believe that there is a pot of treasure at the end of the rainbow. People dream/wish that there is a hero who will save the day and destroy the bad/evil/demon. Although science has debunked most of the fallacies of religion, it has not yet been able to explain the force which when present keeps an entity alive and when absent causes death. Science has not yet been able to authenticate the source of intelligence inherent in every subatomic nanoparticle. Therefore religion would continue to have its fantasy type attraction for those who choose to dream and hope that perhaps they can one day manipulate the subtle intelligence of the universe to create their own miracles.

Tradition, family, cultural and community examples or pressure which reinforce the need to belong, and, dare I say, superstition, in which I include fear of what happens after death.

Answer 2

There are multiple theories, including the need to explain natural phenomena, provide comfort in the face of uncertainty, and establish social norms and order. Religion has played a significant role in shaping cultures and societies throughout history.

Answer 3

To have something to believe in and/or to control other people.

Answer

Nobody knows for sure. This is my view of how it started. I think it's all begin when people became smarter and had free time to think of our existence. Free time is important because if you are constantly looking for food and/or avoiding being eaten, you'd probably would not care much about anything other than day to day existent. Early religious beliefs were almost exclusively involving some natural events like rain, sun, mountains, animals, ect. This makes sense because these were the obvious things that helped them sustaining life, shelter, ect.

As people become more sophisticated and able to understand more natural events, they would start to worship something more abstract and less tangible. So, some cultures would come with some sort of supernatural beings like god, gods, and goddess. However, these beings often still have some human resemblances so the average person can still relate to these god(s).

I admit that I have no background in religious studies, but I just want to have a reasonable answer that may help explain the countless different religions and variations within each religions and cultures.

Answer 4

Humans have an awareness that "something" is more powerful than they are. That was instilled in us by our Creator. From the beginning of humanity the Creator has sent Messengers/Saviors/Manifestations to assist and guide the human race. That process will continue. Read the scriptures of the Baha'i Faith to find out more about this process and the stage the human race is in right now.