Why do people believe in a religion or a god?

Answer 1

Most people who have been brought up practicing a religion continue to do so into adult life. Many people practice spirituality instead of religion, although some people do both.

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Because we need to explain the world around us. Some religion is a search for an answer to "Where did the universe come from?" some "Where is it going?," for some religion is a search for the answer to why bad things happen to good people (search for reason for suffering), others need to believe that this life is not the only thing there is; that we mean more than 90 years from cradle to grave and in the end are not just an atom of hydrogen in a million suns. Religion is a search for answers that you can't get from just reading a book, calling a library, hiking up a mountain. In the end it is us asking "WHY?" not just what or when.

Why is religion so dangerous? Because it's so easy to slap a coat of paint on the answers we thing we have, call them the 'ultimate truth' and never question our beliefs again; to concrete in our hearts and minds so that it becomes easy to explain things, even if easy means wrong. Blind religion kills, but constant questioning, constant search for more of the truth, that is what spirituality is supposed to be about; finding our own answers."

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People practice a religion to find a way to reach God, or to make God pleased, they create idols of their imagination. God is not like that, He is not made of wood or stone, He is beyond our imagination, religion can't help us, only Jesus can. _______________________ Unlike the preaching that is convenient allowed in the last statement above, the first two are more rational. People believe in God because it gives them hope in times of hopelessness. Many people believe in God for the same reasons that they believe in Santa Claus. A belief in God is supposed to make you a better human. A belief in God or a fear of God can also make you a puppet in the hands of shrewd individuals who wish to exploit and control you. A belief in God can also make you an instrument of piety, equity, righteousness, compassion and spirituality. Religion can be compared to food. Religion is food for the soul. The true value of food is measured by the quantity of nutrients it contains. Spirituality is the nutritional value, of authentic religious concepts, for the soul. Some people live to eat and others eat to live. Some people are into religion mainly for the social flavor and not the virtuous characteristics. There are particular food items that can be prepared through various styles or recipes. There are also various Religious concoctions available to cater to the respective social appetite. Most people are attracted mainly to the taste of the food while the nutritional values are completely ignored. In a similar manner people are attracted to the social fanfare of religion and not the practice of spirituality righteousness and piety. The psychological programming a person is subjected to as a child, governs the choices and values they observe for most of their lives. People are programmed by authoritative commands and instructions as early as the foetal stage of their intellectual development. Some of the commands relate to the concept of sin and hell; don't do this/that, you'll be punished, it's a sin to do this/that, you shall be damned to eternity in hell etc.

Religious decisions are made as a result of cultural and psychological programming, which occurs during the formative years of childhood.

A lot of the religious dogma practiced today has very little to do with reason and everything to do with social and cultural values and beliefs.

Most so-called intelligent people are driven to make critical decisions in life/death, based on irrational belief systems fueled by blind loyalty to their particular dogma. As I mentioned before, people practice religion because it gives them a sense of hope. People, who have a terrible fear of death or the end of their existence, accept religion as a form of comfort, that there is something to look forward to after death. Many people are searching for the answers to life in the hope that they are not just living to die. Scientists as well as Theologists are desperately searching for the ultimate answer to all existence. Some Scientists are searching through the elements to find the smallest (nano) particle of intelligence while others are searching for the macro dimension of the cosmos. The ordinary people however through their cultural programming, accept theology as their authority on the reality of all existence. Over the years however some of the authenticity and accuracy of theological affirmations have been undermined by conclusive scientific evidence to the contrary.

Answer 2

People believe in religion or a god for a variety of reasons, including seeking meaning and purpose in life, coping with uncertainty and fear, finding comfort and solace in times of hardship, and being part of a community that shares similar beliefs and values. Belief in religion or a higher power can also provide a moral framework and guidelines for living a virtuous life.

Answer 3

people join a religion to actually get to know the actual way of living life in a specific way there is alot of religions people join in but some of them arent the kind to mess with so if you believ in something why not join it and try it....

Most religious people are usually born into a religion that is chosen for them by their respective Gods. Those people who chose to join a religion usually do so because they get the opportunity to belong to an influential social group. Then there are the chosen few who join for an opportunity to develop their spirituality and righteousness.

The religion that is acclaimed to be the most popular will attract the most aspirants. The popularity of a particular religion is determined by the economic and military history that was undertaken to market this particular religious brand or product. If a person were to take an unbigoted look at the true history he/she would discover that the various barbaric conquers of the world used terrorism and carnage to destroy other civilizations forcing the surviving victims to conform to the dictates of their religious supremacy.

These religious chauvinists continued to dominate most of the information in the world manipulating the data to maintain psychological control of the masses. They created brotherhoods which systematically eliminated the nonconformists.

If you join the cult or brotherhood of the populist religion, many financial opportunities will open up to you and your clan. You can even become a world leader if you align yourself to the populist religious cult and its applicable manmade rules, which were cleverly designed for the purpose of world domination by these God-Men.

Whilst in some parts of the world people are 'born' into a religion or a religious environment (eg some Islamic countries), and to not adhere oneself could be seen by that community as a slur, in these days fewer and fewer people are being 'born' into a religion - especially Christianity.

In my own experience and study within the Christian religion, the greatest growth has been either when the facts are placed before people and they are allowed to choose impartially, or where there is oppression. As two examples, in the UK (and all over the world I believe), the Alpha Course and similar ones like it, have had amazing results by simply placing the facts before people about Jesus (NOT the Church!) and allowing them to choose one way or the other. To date, millions of people, mostly from non-religious families - have made commitments to follow Jesus Christ - as a personal faith and not by being 'born' into it . Another example is China. Under Chinese law when all religion was banned in the 1960s, there were just 5,000 practising Christians estimated to be in the country, meeting in secret. After the laws were relaxed a little, by 2000 there were 50 million, and by today the estimate is double that. By the very nature of the situation there, they could not be 'born' into the religion and had to come fo faith by individual choice. Within China some Christians are still persecuted, albeit on a smaller scale than before, so how they can belong (as the previous er claimed) to an 'influential social group' is anyone's guess.

So it seems that people are striving for something else in this busy world. For many they realise that in this cynical, sneering, arrogant world, there must be something more - a life that is a life that God intended for us. For many that means that they cannot deny God any longer and decide to return to him. Invariably those who take the plunge realise that life has so much more to offer and never before has life felt so good - just as God intended. And that, along with a little help from God himself, is why I believe that people eventually return to him.

Answer 4

People believe in religions because they are told to. Think about it: when a baby is born, does it care about a god? No. But the parents teach the baby as it grows that god created everything, etc. This is generally supported by the community in which the child is raised. Rituals such as baptism and confirmation help reinforce the belief system.

Children who are taught at an early age believe (generally) what their parents believe. Those who are not taught tend to think for themselves and derive their own conclusions about the world and religion.

Answer 5

Yes and that is portant that him and her have belive to somewere higher Creator and from up is given holy books and rules how to behavid to others and to God or we have caos on earth.Religion ones have rules from holy books and em life goes over troubles and em got wisdom avoid those troubles.

We must pray wisdom and understanding and more we got wisdom and understanding;We understand holy books and get better life quality.

If we learn wisdom and seek truth what may take time and everybody got em seeking time.

That is sad that cover of religion is made lot bad things and wars but we must got wisdom to know sign of anti-christ´s before those comes comes false prophets.

Do not worry about too much thise things.Lines of liers to be loose.Walk and trust those how talk about light things and make you smile.

Answer:

Belief in God, and expressing that belief through such observances as prayer, is a human instinct. Every ancient society without exception, no matter where or how isolated, believed in some higher power and a spiritual plane.

Answer 6

people follow a religion because it is something to give to. Faith and hope plays a big part. Religion is something to believe in and have faith, or to have something to live for.

Answer 7

There are many reasons, manly because people want to have a purpose and believe that there is a greater meaning to life. Others may believe in a religion to find hope.

Answer 8

People follow different religions because they have different beliefs about their God and they like think differently about what he is like.

Answer 9

religion nurtures sense of self!that's why.

Answer 10

For Guidance And strength from God during challenging times and that gives them hope