Religion..is It There Because It Actually Helps People

[phleb]

in need or do we just rely on it when we have no other support? I'm not against religion. I'm just curious as to what other people think. I have seen a lot of women/men turn to islam, have they actually seen any benefit. Please don't be arguing over this question. I respect people that are religious and I also respect those that aren't.

[RATTER15]

I think it helps people that meet that crutch to lean on.

[pixie373]

In my opinion, people invented it for comfort, excuses and explanation, which it still is used for now.

[wolf63]

It helps many people, makes many very rich and powerful, makes some unhappy and kills far too many.

W☺lf
Atheist

[Canary42]

It does undoubtedly help lots of people - but so does heroin.

[phleb]

I ask this because I was reading kate mccans book and she turned to religion for comfort, it didn't help bring madeliene back, I feel people rely on it too much. Although it may have helped her get through such a difficult unimaginable time. X

[whirlyhurly]

It's that phrase by Karl Marx "Religion is the opiate of the masses"

[joko]

it really is just a crutch, and its sad that humanity felt the need to invent such ludicrous things in order to offer comfort, that they simply couldnt find solace any other way.

its sadder that so many people fell for it, that no matter how fantastical the story, and total lack of evidence and common sense, people still just blindly believed, for no other reason than the word of others.

and saddest of all, is that majority of people who, in this day and age, still follow religion don't actually need it, they just adhere through fear and indoctrination, and the wishy washy 'just in case'.

[Old_Geezer]

It means different things to different folk.

Unfortunately it is the ruthless self serving that tend to do better at climbing hierarchies.

As for how much help it is, again it will depend on individual experiences. Whether you think it is helping or not, you are probably right.

[heathfield]

In olden times, people were happy to communicate directly with God. Then Rome stepped in, and said "No. You can only communicate with God through the intercession of a priest. If you don't go along with that, you're a heretic, and as such we have the right to kill you." And they did. Pardon my cynicism.

[phleb]

Its true that when you want to turn your back to religion you're too frightened of what might happen.

[whirlyhurly]

So true Phleb, which is why I as a "lapsed Catholic" still say my night prayers, and so often when things turn out ok say "thank God".

[naomi24]

phleb/whirlyhurly, that’s so sad.

[whirlyhurly]

Yes Naomi, it really is indoctrination from childhood onwards.

[naomi24]

I know - but isn't it sad.

[Hopkirk]

I think virtually every tribe in the world has created some sort of fairy story about eternal life and living on after death.

I think it is because we don't like to accept the obvious truth that when you die, you die.

[Exmothian]

Religion is for those amongst us who don't have the inner strength and/or confidence to believe in themselves.
Like monarchy , feudal state leaders, the mafia , it is used to control the way people think and behave, although monarchies are less brutal than they once were!
However, there are aspects of religion that are seen to be essential in a sensible structured society , such as the commandments.
Society as we know it would fail if such a structure weren't in place.
Religion gives people the hope that there will be something tangible after death, whereas I believe that what we are made up of, a unique arrangement of chemical elements , will break down and be available as individual atoms to be reused again in the great cycle of life and death.
Earth to earth , Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust is a metaphor for this process.

[gness]

For me it's two different things......

I can see that some people wanted there to be more than this life ..... somewhere to go on to, that this life may have a purpose.

And I can see how some would use that need to gain power, to control people ....to grow rich...that's where the benefit is.

Gness.....very, very lapsed Catholic.

[naomi24]

Hopkirk, //I think it is because we don't like to accept the obvious truth that when you die, you die. //

That's true - but I think for people raised in religion, there's a bit more to it than that. They're not only afraid of death, they're afraid of being punished for perceived sins committed in life.

[gness]

Spot on, Naomi.....it wasn't enough that I was punished as a child....it always ended with....and God is watching you.....you'll be a long time in purgatory, my girl!....☺