Why is Religion Such a Huge Deal?

[Symmy]

Hello. I am an atheist and I am confused as to why everyone believes the church so confidently? I'm not arguing or fighting the church, but I've never gone and I want some more perspectives.

In my world, the Bible is just another book. No one has ever explained why it is so convincing. If the Bible tells truth, then why don't we believe in other books like The Odyssey, or even more modern stuff like Harry Potter? What makes the Bible different? I feel like I don't know enough about the church to confidently tell my Christian friends that i am atheist.

What makes things that happened 2000 years ago so much more true than science? Science is more modern, even if it does not explain enough. Just because we are the most intelligent animal on the planet does not mean that we know everything. I feel that we are imperfect in the way that we insist on having an explanation for everything. Why does it matter if we know what happens after we die? We shouldn't need the threat of hell to make us good people.

Why do we allow ourselves to believe in an immortality just because one person (Jesus) says it exists. What was so convincing. That long ago, he could have been a crazy man, and there was not enough science to diagnose this. However, this brings me to wonder why everyone believes in such unproven, original ideas. I feel like i am the only Atheist in my environment and I can't figure out why I am.

I am not trying to offend anyone here. I am asking honest questions to better my understanding of religion, so I can hopefully have more confident beliefs in the future. Thank you.

[Power Cosmic]

I agree completely. Religion is a load of bollocks, and I view anyone who honestly truely thinks it's true with the same "smile, nod and back away" I would if someone said they just saw the nyan cat soaring overhead propelled by ass-rainbow.

I think it's psychology more than anything else. *shrugs* I honestly don't know...it's the same reason people are conservative, lack of basic rationality really.

There's nothing about any religion that makes their books anything more than (particularly distasteful) fiction, apart from the fact they were touted by more charismatic leaders and encouraged even more conformity in their bleating herds.

The reason why it's still here is due to it acting like a virus, just social tenaciously clinging to existence far past it's time is just due to the nature of the human mind makes people blindly obey.

I'm simplifying the full scope of this particular disease of the brain, but look into human psychology, conformity and social norms (not sure if you do it at school yet over there, I did), and it answers it all =/.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

I think people believe for a few reasons. First, they were indoctrinated at such a young age, they couldn't understand that what they're told may be false. Second, whenever shit hits a society, people need and want a leader to emerge. Religion can be that hero for someone because it can make them feel better about themselves, understand the situation through alternate views and like any charismatic leader, give no negative criticism. Third, people who initially founded the religion did so as a means to understand the world. When the religion persists for years and years, many people inherently think the religion must be correct, otherwise people would have stopped believing in it. Fourth, it removes fears, such as fear of death, which many dread. The religion makes the fear seem like it's nothing but they only keep this feeling if they cling to the religion.

In modern society where science is a prevailing method of obtaining knowledge, it doesn't directly pat someone on the head, give them a cookie and say the world is wonderful. For some people, they probably feel unsure where to go in the world because nothing is leading them. Science isn't a leading figure as it's not a definite study, however, religion can be more definite. That said, there are many religions and many disagree with others but one thing that many hold is the notion they are correct. In other words, when a person of religion A meets a person of religion B and their religions oppose one another, it can strengthen their religious bonds. It's highly questionable whether the religions do oppose each other or whether people perceive it as such. They don't want to abandon their religion because it has made them feel so good, so they stick with it but if they were to abandon it, then they're left alone with no group to turn to and that may seem unnerving to many. Sort of like a frightened child lost in a large store without their parents.

[NevermindMe]

The Man and XX Master: Good way of putting it. People want leaders, religion is a way of feeling never alone. You always have a leader, a hero and a support system. It really gives a sense of security.

- Justin

[NonIndigenous]

Because people want something to look up to... a common belief that somehow unites them. We're social beings. Ever pay attention to those who have different beliefs to all others around them? They're frequently outcast and ignored.