religion points us one way and the world another and some times the way of the world is easier, its easier to sit and watch tv, its easier to slack at work, its easier to ditch school, to rob than to work, to burn than to build, to go to war than to make peace, to kill than to feed.  is it the nature of human or more the nature of this world we are in, do you think perhaps we are trying to orginize something that has a different arrangement?
126986
because it is so much funner to be bad!!!
559781
Religion has been used as the justification for so much violence. But humans are naturally violent animals. Religion or no, we will always find something to squabble over.
226956
I believe it makes life easier for people when they have something to hold on to.  Whether it's religion, hobbies, family, friends it's all the same.  It's help us get by day to day.  The thing about religion is you don't have to worry about it talking about you behind your back, or stealing your man even though you have no proof it exists.  Most people never take the time to explore different religions so they can make a reasonable decision on their on.  Almost always they believe what they are taught by there parents.  God for bid if a parent would ever lie or misguide them.
673727
A very good thing is that it grounds a society with some moral value system - this a central theme of most religions.\nUnfortunately that very grounding when taken too literally can drive extreme behavior and rather than create an inclusive cohesive world, it's differences can create rifts in our willingness to accept each other for who we are rather than what we believe.
8663
Beware of collapsing the two-- religion and those who follow religion. For I posit, that even without "religion", we would be divided over something or other. \n\nObserve two toddlers at play for a few hours and watch them fight over one toy. Very quickly you'll see, it is not their religion that has divided them, but their "idea" that they both own this toy. \n\nWe fight not because of religion, but because of our differing ideologies, beliefs, etc. Throw our heated emotions into the mix, and we can really be hostile, violent people.\n\nHence, don't vilify religion but take note of human nature. For that's what religion does, it illuminates our human nature in hopes that we might be empowered to "be our best" in spite of ourselves.
478199
It is absolutely true that every single feeling, emotion, belief that we have is a function of the brain. Even the denial of this fact from the other people answering your question is a product of complex neuronal interactions. \n\nReligion is not in itself hardwired into the brain. However, the underlying psychological processes which religion exploits - of learning (in religion's case, largely childhood indoctrination), trust, have given humans during their evolution a survival advantage. \nThere is no "God" gene. Belief in God does not provide a survival advantage. Community cohesiveness does, and religious belief is one mechanism of creating that.  \n\nA lot of the world's problems are due to people's inadequate understanding of science. If science (as a methodology for thinking about the world critically) was taught with the same vigour as the religious indoctrination and blind faith were encouraged then we would all be in a much better place!
467165
I agree. Since we are part of the world, by improving ourselves to be Kinder and more Peaceful etc, we are already changing the world, step by step, trickle by trickle.\n\nThis method is like taking Vitamins to improve ones health, slower but less invasive way than surgery.
398598
but but ... you list social woes while most religious folks clutch onto religion as a personal life raft.  whatever heinous actions are made in the name of their religion matters not.  it's the personal comfort they get from believing they're safe from their deity's wrath and the feeling of being special and a part of something bigger than themselves that cements their dependence on their religion. besides, the woes of the world created by religion are always blamed on an Evil One and evil doers.
539201
Yes, that we can do provided we want to. It takes effort as well as a willingness not to give into passionate emotions when our specific ideas are bashed. It takes self-control, self discipline, a true mastery of ones self as well as a willingness to take the time to love one another. I do not mean this in the Biblical sense by any means. But we need a willingness to take time to listen to one another and reason with one another. And if we can't reason together, we need the wisdom to peacefully walk away.
470603
noooooo\nmy religion encourages us to do what makes us feel good\nalthough they would more so encourage ... feeling good without make up and love who we are\n\nspiritualism
610114
The world can be a better place if we could all just recognize that everyone has more similarities than they do differences. If we could put a face and feelings to the people we tend to hate. If we could try to understand where people are coming from and why they feel the way they do before we judge them. The world would be a better place if we realized that every single person on earth has come to view things exactly as they do as a result of both their past experience and what they have been taught. Rather than persecute them for those views, we could offer them new experiences or teachings on which to base their views of the future.
57319
To belive in God is easier for people who were raised to belive. For people who want a receipt for life (if this happens, you do that ... because God said so). It's easier for people who are afraid to think that the sacrifices they do might actually be in vain and there's nothing after life.  It's easier for those who belive that there must be someone bigger than themselfs out there that made this world work... For people who need proof to belive in something.. it's so much easier to be an atheist.\n\nAs for myself.. I do belive there is a God. I don't belive in church and all those rituals. I don't belive in heaven and in hell. I have no ideea why are we here, I just belive we are supposed to help each other, not kill (in the name of any God). \nI always thought there must be someone who created this world, but I didn't use to care so much about it until a few yeras ago when I had this problem I didn't know how to solve. So I took my chanses and I said "God, if you do exist, I could really use some help now :D" And it worked :)) SO. that was my proof and I belive in God and good people. \nI might be just naive, but this is the easiest way for me..
185604
I guess that the only way is the way that works!  If you can "get to God" by following your own self-made path, then it's the right way.  If you follow someone else's path and it gets you there, then it's the right way, too.  You made the analogy, not me.  I think it works.
270914
Many other religions have the same rules. It's all a matter of living together. I don't think any religion is superior or anything. We should all get along and help each other out regardless of faith/non-faith.
190779
Imo it depends on how you look at religion. Relgion can either be a very personal or very communal practice. This is true of any religion it merely depends on how practicioners approach their faith. I would argue at its best, Religion empowers by providing us with a hope that we can connect with some Other than we do not fully understand, and that through solidarity as a community we can strive toward a reconciled society.\n\nNow religion can also be used as a very private personal affair, where the individual communes with the Other. Im not here to say this is wrong, but this would probably most likely line up with you idea that someone is fairly arrogant to assume they know God. \n\nI think religion doesnt have to be arrogant, its just many people latch on to one way or another for a variety of different circumstances, which lead to different walks in faith.
196292
Good Question, although you got a little lost in your typing there. \n\nI have to agree with your premise though. All in all, I think, and remember this is just my opinion, that you're on the right track. I think it's how a person lives and treats him/her self and others, that really matters. \nIf God really wants everyone to be one religion or another, there has to be some wiggle room in the end for those who just didn't know the difference or who were simply confused over the enormity of it all. \nPersonally I'm a God fearing Agnostic. Meaning I believe in God, but I don't believe in any one specific religious view of God. I know my actions towards others is a reflection of Gods' plan and if I'm cruel then I'm doing evil. \nIf I help someone out of my own kindness then I'm doing God's work.\nI don't believe God watches each of us individually, that's why He gave us free will. \nWe as individuals must look inward to find peace, love and goodness. Each of us must reach that place to pull out the goodness and extend it to our neighbors.
305210
it seems to me that people who live in more populated areas interact with more people and hear and discuss more different ideas than people who live in less crowded areas.  I think seeing that there are people in other religions and from other cultures AND that they are good people leads one to be more open-minded and tolerant --- and less convinced that there is only one right way to believe.