why do people believe in religion?
355666
To give them a handle on life and where they fit in. Also because many are unable to handle the concept that their only reason for existence is to experience life in the physical realm. People NEED something to believe in and religion is the biggest and most popular thing to buy into to stave off uncertainty and insecurity.
916884
The thing is that people (not just Christians) DON'T CHOOSE. Religion is many times given to people as we grow up. I was a Christian once, and noticed how my mother passed on her religion unto me, telling me to pray, go to church and so on. There was no time for a "choosing of religion" for me and I imagine that is so for many people. Parents give their religion to children, it's a bonding and cultural thing. And a good thing because religion satifies a psychological need for in-group membership, and spiritual welbeing.\n Strange thing is that I CHOSE my religion and chose Judaism as my path.\nI support religions...let people believe what they want.
1174460
If they are more intelligent than us,then why would they believe in something they have NEVER seen.Why would they believe something that as been written by human beings.Why does anybody believe in something that can't be proven.They would think that religious people,who believe in this Great God that is supposed to be so powerful he can do anything,are completely bonkers because,If this God is so powerful why does he let so many  people on this Earth suffer in so many ways ????
900717
Two things - honest answer is that feeling of being able to give yourself completely to a faith.  That even though there isn't a shred of empirical evidence to support religion, people are still able to accept it.  It gives people a reason for the horrible things that happen in life.  It gives people a purpose when they have none.  I think atheists are too logical and too grounded to give themselves over so completely to a faith that has absolutely nothing to back it up; but sometimes I wonder if being able to believe is something without basis so thoroughly brings about some level of peace...\n\nThe other thing that sucks about being an atheist is having to deal with moronic a-holes telling you you're going to hell.  They're too stupid to realize that there is no hell and that their little fantasy is meaningless; but like gnats flying around on a summer evening they won't go away and they are f*cking annoying.
711570
Religion is a "mind virus" it grows and spreads, like a virus. Inhabiting each victim with a belief system that is 2,000 years old. At a time when there was very little knowledge of the actual world and the Universe. These beliefs are spread from person to person, inhibiting people from believing and understanding truth, logic and reason. Something that science, atheists and in most cases, agnostics can understand. Science carries the human consciousness to a higher level. Religion lowers it.
768624
I don't believe in any of it.  Life rocks!  \nPeople believe in religion because they believe that death rocks -  they just can't wait to get there.
683199
I would think it's because we HAVE to believe in something, it's the way we were created, God wants us to believe in him, but Satan has power too and people find it easier, they think, not to believe in God.
1071659
Probably because there are questions being asked.  A lot of people find religion interesting and have opinion on the whole idea.
306359
this answer is for non believers : People believe in god because humans are weak spiritually, we are unable to accept things and are constantly hoping for the impossible. But how to achieve it and will they be able to accept it if they do get their goals? therefore, in order to give themselves mental support or to feel better and explain things on a more "fiction based" way so that they can accept it, They created God. God to you may be nothing. But to these people, they feel that it is real, they believe it is real and to them it is truly real. You who do not believe will never get to experience it be it true or false for the brain is a marvelous thing.
673120
Some people don't have a dedication to religion, and belief its made of false yet myths that are nonsense. For some people they were forced into religion younger so they deny it, or simply just don't want to accept the truth. And they find mockery of christianity entertaining, and believing the bible of made of nonsense which is false its based on the truth. Good luck though
282671
Because they know that involving yourself in religion, it means you have to live a moral life. And most people are inmoral these days. Don't worry about them. They lose and we win, whether God exists or not.\n\nIf anyone is reading this post, Jesus has been historically proven by scientists and he indeed existed. There are documents to prove and still people don't want to believe. I'm sure if religion was about sleeping with other people, they'd so love it. Well more heaven for us! This is like back in the day when Jesus existed and even though they could see it for themselves(lucky them) they still didn't believe. So imagine even if Jesus came right now, people won't believe either. I say let's leave them alone. When they die, they'll know.\n\nHave you read about the Shroud of Tourin? So far they haven't been able to prove it is fake. And it will never happen, because God doesn't want us to see it to believe it. I don't think it'd be fair. Notice how religious people have more luck than non-religious?
242932
no. thats what people run to when they are afraid, but doesnt have to be real \n\ni dont have a religion, there for i dont believe in god. religion causes so many arguments that its pointless.\n\nand in the end i couldnt keep kidding myself to believe in all that. there is no reason why i sould believe in god, or a particular, youre just believing in what someone is telling you, sometimes its not a good idea to believe everything someone is telling you. there is no real proof. the proof which has been found is based on faith that something did exist, even if it might not have.\n\ni hope that made sense, but i have so many reasons for not believing in God or having a religion
1013668
Most people tend to worship mysterious things. Things that cannot proved. Things like God.\n\nThings people know scientifically are hard to worship. Science has taken the mystery away from many things including death. There is now much less worship of the sun, the moon, and nature.\n\nMost religions believe in life after death. \n\nDeath has very little hold over most people of faith.\n\nChristianity believes Jesus has conquered death and sin for us.\n\nWith love in Christ.
89223
don't u believe in religion?\ni  suppose those who realize the importance of believing in god,who realize dat after all dis hype u get in this life,there's gotta b sumthg more.....\nTHAT'S WHY THEY BLIEV IN RELIGION\nn personally,i find it extremely comforting dat i hav god 2 turn to when i hav no one else in dis world.\nit's important to bliev in god.n religion is d guideline u hav 2 follow if u really wanna follow ur god's wishes,how he wants mankind to live,\n2....riots,violence.those r NOT d result of religion.NO RELIGION IN DIS WORLD TEACHES IT'S FOLLOWERS TO CREATE VIOLENCE.violence is d result of all d ass holes who create propaganda , so dat others wuld bicker ovr small ishues n diffrences...it is all to d assholes' advantage\nAtleast dat's what i think.\nsorry it's a long answer
262904
Typical reasons for adherence to religion include the following:\n"Experience or emotion": For many, the practice of a religion causes an emotional high that gives pleasure to them. Such emotional highs can come from the singing of traditional hymns to the trance-like states found in the practices of the Whirling Dervishes and Yoga, among others. People continue to associate with those practices that give pleasure and, in so far as it is connected with religion, join in religious organizations that provide those practices. Also, some people simply feel that their faith is true, and may not be able to explain their feelings. \n"Supernatural connection": Most religions postulate a reality which includes both the natural and the supernatural. Most adherents of religion consider this to be of critical importance, since it permits belief in unseen and otherwise potentially unknowable aspects of life, including hope of eternal life. \n"Rational analysis": For some, adherence is based on intellectual evaluation that has led them to the conclusion that the teachings of that religion most closely describe reality. Among Christians this basis for belief is often given by those influenced by C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer, as well as some who teach young earth Creationism. \n"Moderation": Many religions have approaches that produce practices that place limitations on the behaviour of their adherents. This is seen by many as a positive influence, potentially protecting adherents from the destructive or even fatal excesses to which they might otherwise be susceptible. Many people from many faiths contend that their faith brings them fulfillment, peace, and joy, apart from worldly interests. \n"Authority": Most religions are authoritarian in nature, and thus provide their adherents with spiritual and moral role models, who they believe can bring highly positive influences both to adherents and society in general. \n"Moral framework": Most religions see early childhood education in religion and spirituality as essential moral and spiritual formation, whereby individuals are given a proper grounding in ethics, instilling and internalizing moral discipline. \n"Majesty and tradition": People can form positive views of religion based on the visible manifestations of religion, e.g., ceremonies which appear majestic and reassuringly constant, and ornate cloth. \n"Community and culture": Organized religions promote a sense of community. The combination of moral and cultural common ground often results in a variety of social and support networks. Some ostensibly "religious" individuals may even have a substantially secular viewpoint, but retain adherence to religious customs and viewpoints for cultural reasons, such as continuation of traditions and family unity. Judaism, for example, has a particularly strong tradition of "secular" adherents. \n"Fulfillment": Most traditional religions require sacrifice of their followers, but, in turn, the followers may gain much from their membership therein. Thus, they come away from experiences with these religions with the feeling that their needs have been filled. In fact, studies have shown that religious adherents tend to be happier and less prone to stress than non-religious people. \n"Spiritual and psychological benefits": Each religion asserts that it is a means by which its adherents may come into closer contact with God, Truth, and Spiritual Power. They all promise to free adherents from spiritual bondage, and bring them into spiritual freedom. It naturally follows that a religion which frees its adherents from deception, sin, and spiritual death will have significant mental health benefits. Abraham Maslow's research after World War II showed that Holocaust survivors tended to be those who held strong religious beliefs (not necessarily temple attendance, etc), suggesting it help
642292
The blind faith that people have in a god is brought about by many causes:\n\n1.)  Their parents and family taught them to believe in God and participate in religious functions.  If they tell their family that God does not exist, they face rejection and persecution.\n\n2.)  God is a security blanket for some people.  Isn't it so nice to have someone that is always thinking of you and loving you and saving you (allegedly) from evil?  But don't forget that when your spouse dies in a car accident that it was part of God's plan.\n\n3.)  The fear of hell is a powerful psychological weapon used by the church to force people into believing in God.  Religious people fear that if they reject the concept of God that they will have an afterlife of eternal misery.  Parents pass this fear onto their children to convince them to "behave appropriately."  It is a vicious cycle that continues from generation to generation.\n\n4.)  Many people lack the intellectual capability to conduct an objective investigation of life and the universe.  For these people it is just easier to believe what soceity tells them and they are unable or unwilling to consider any possible alternative.  They do not want to step outside of their mental "comfort zone."\n\n5.)  And for the lucky religious leaders and people in power, the belief in God has endless benefits.  Pastors get people to donate money to their church, Bishops get prestige and admiration for being so holy, and even President Bush can get support (at least temporarily) for a questionnable war because he claims that God talks to him.
1138676
I don't believe in religion, I believe in discipleship.  People can hide in religion and follow set rules for their lives instead of thinking for themselves and going through the Spirit's transformation, robbing themselves of a real spiritual life.