Why do so many people subscribe to organized religion? It makes very little sense. Organized religious is a hierarchical construct designed not to bring people to spiritual enlightenment, but to benefit the few man at the top of the chain. The Catholic and Mormon churches are excellent examples. Both have extraordinary wealth, power, and control over its sects and members. Other churches are not nearly as powerful, however there is still the issue of men determining what another man is to believe. Fear often being the main a tool used for the coercion of beliefs. I had attended an uber conservative Protestant church for a brief period earlier this year, I found the amount of fear pushed onto the congregation to be disturbing. The notion that the member must tithe 10%+ of their income to the church, even before their needs are handled, or be cursed was especially disgusting. Tithing does not glorify a deity capable of creating all time and space and existing on a higher spatial plain. It serves to benefit that man pushing the message. Following silly rules and laws not glorify a deity capable of creating all time and space and existing on a higher spatial plain. It serves to benefit that man pushing the message. Why would God require your money? Why would God require worship on faith alone? Why would God create you gay then punish you for all eternity for being gay? Why would God knowing create human beings so ridden with Sin that He would have to sacrifice Himself to Himself to convince Himself to change the rules that He Himself put into place knowing full well He would have to change the rules He Himself put into place before He even put them into place? The lack of continuity between the beliefs, reality, and critical thinking should be disturbing for anyone who values their God given ability to reason. Why give us the ability to reason and punish for the use of that reason? Why would God only reach out only a few times thousands of years ago? Why inspire a self-contradictory book? Why not just hi-jack CNN and say "look, here I am"? Why inspire such an imperfect book? Why allow and condone such atrocities found in the book? Why help an obscenely wealthy athlete win a football game and forsake thousands of children with malaria? Why even create malaria? Ebola? HIV/AIDS? Why inspire a self-loathing philosophy that reduces man to a worthless sinner without hope? Why not attach a slightly greater meaning to a person's own existence regardless of whether or not they accept a particular guilt ridden and fear driven belief system? I guess I wonder why people think and ancient book is the only way to God, subscribe to the word of their fellowman, when they can have that experience themselves using the fruits of the earth and remove that power from the establishment.
It's a few things, but they're pretty simple, albeit also very cynical. One is it's what most people have always known and the punishment for not continuing to follow the rules is so dire that even if they don't subscribe to all the tenants anymore, they're to afraid to deny that which they've always known. Another is a sense of community and being with others helps to confirm your bias, you get to rattle ideas around in an echo chamber and see everyone else head nodding right along with you. For some it's that they believe there are positive externalities to religion and that it's a social acceptable model for teaching ethics and morality.
To control knowledge was power. From 'time' (the seasons), thru to irragation and even circumcision, knowledge was held by the leadership. Mankind created 'words'. the initial concept of 'church' was to learn, convey, articulate knowledge. Even the quest of 'the name' by egyptians, judiasm... that enabled the three religions of the middle east was to pursue 'the key' (name of god). It is what unveils the key principles to understanding the 'nature' of all that exists (god). . I consider the pinnacle of evolution is 'existence comprehending itself' and 'we' are the conscious lives doing it. with words (math: the universal language)
Can you imagine a creation of new religion nowadays? I assume you can, but you can't find the sources for the incorporation of new religion currently. To be square, we must be sainted to be ready for creation of new religion, with powerful foundation, consolidation. Just imagine purely people, whom can cause new religion; you will never find these people.
religion is for morons rituals are for idiots and mankind is far to intelligent to fall to a belief of a dude on a thrown, even if 'messiah' itself walked. Magic aint an option, so the only 'religion' ever to continue, with be the pursuit of understanding (science) We can always learn, but to regress is beyond stupid. Ever read Dan 7:8.................... the three horns of abraham are pulled
Could it be because they don't know any better? that most fall into the category of below average intelligence and have not developed their intelllect so they gladly accept religion, because they don't have to think about it, they are comforted by the notion of immortality and absolution and that the creator thinks they are something special. Conforming to the dogma seems a small price to pay for these people. As for the people who should know better? I do know that some of it is indoctrination as a child. I do know that many intelligent people have a problem with their own mortality, let alone their own morality. I suppose some just because it makes them feel good.
It connects people. Makes them feel part of the community and society. Gives them time to meditate, reflect and connect with their souls/inner self. Some are searching trying to grow maybe coming to grips with questions that have no answers. etc....
None of this answers the Op question about organized religion. All of this is achievable without it. Also this is another thing about religion that the religious consider a positive when in fact its quite the opposite. Its a fact that religious people live on average happier lives than skeptics. However saying a religious person is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than to say a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality. The world is filled with problems that need to be faced and solved. How could a religious person not be happier to believe that no matter what happens on earth God will save them. Skeptics may not be as happy but that is because they live in the real world and understand that its up to us.
^^ That. People end up drinking the religious kool aid because of the material and emotional benefits they perceive in their organised religion. Their churches tell them they must believe this and act that way, etc., and because their churches are beneficial to them, they accept this. The religious ideas are automatically associated with the emotional/social benefits of the church, in other words. It's an exploitation of the same thought mechanisms that allow people to function in any societal group, such as family, tribe, city, etc.
Sorry you did not like my answer, but when I think why people subscribe to organized religion, those are the things I come up with. Your point makes sense about religious people being happier because they know god will save them. What if your not skeptic and not religious? Are you just content?
Well I certainly wasn’t upset about your answer so I hope it didn’t come across that way. I’m not sure you can be neither. People may point to Agnostics but the only reason you would question anything at all would be because you are a skeptic. Being content in a world with so much at stake all the time is on par with being ignorant to the truth or just selfish. People can certainly run or hide and I do understand why people choose to run (religion) instead of hide(death, either literally or figuratively). I prefer to stand and fight and live for the things I love.
Why does Romney's Mormon faith bother you so much but Obama's "vanilla" Christian faith not matter to you? You claim that you can't vote for Romney because the Book of Mormon is racist, but you constantly point out parts of the Bible you claim are barbaric - so that must mean that Obama is ignoring those inconvenient bits too right...?
He openly ignores them. Romney has not openly dismissed portions of the Book of Mormon. Obama has. I remember pointing that out in that thread.
