Does religion give people a false sense of hope??
486495
It makes them think there is hope and keeps uncontrollable idiots from causing havoc to the world...the more scared they are(believing in consequences for actions by god & what not)...the more behaved people will be.I don't need religion or anybodies beliefs to guide my way of life.\nAlso,Atheists are idiots...they argue with religious people and try to sway people into their beliefs...\nJust trust your heart and be your own man!!!!!Let everyone else believe what they want!!!!!!\nIf ya want to say "god bless you" to a religious lady after she sneezes then be my guest...just try to stay neutral...it's less stressful & less complicated!
425887
My answer would be that it doesn't.\n\nOf course, some people get their strength from their theistic beliefs, but others get their strength from the love and trust that they share with the people in their life, some people get their strength from doing the right thing and contributing positively to society, and some people get their strength from a firm belief in the goodness of humankind.\n\nI guess it all depends on the individual.
141231
By having faith,is that so bad?
470955
I think you've been looking at these religions like fads.  I'm Catholic and regard the teachings of my religion as the true Christian way.  \nI believe in my religion's teachings even if some Church leaders don't anymore. (some unnacceptable groups of people were allowed to become leaders and make some F-ed up changes back in the 60's)\n\nMaybe you just aren't looking for truth, but somewhere you feel accepted in.  \n\nAcceptance isn't worth much if the religion is a fake on, so I decided to look for truth.
1124378
I agree completely. Here's Penn Jillette's take on this one. I think it speaks for me:\n\nBelieving there is no God means the suffering I've seen in my family, and indeed all the suffering in the world, isn't caused by an omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent force that isn't bothered to help or is just testing us, but rather something we all may be able to help others with in the future. No God means the possibility of less suffering in the future.
987313
People get comfort from believing there is a reason for existence, that it's not all accidental or the product of a statistical probability. \n\nLook at it this way: if you are a believer and you die and there is no God, what difference does it make.  If you are not a believer and you die and there is a God, BIG SURPRISE!
1092609
I'm with weemaryanne on this one.\nYour take on religion is pretty much the same as mine - and many others. And you are not alone in being the only agnostic in a religious family.\nI think it's healthy to question the world around you and not take everything at face value. If you find faith in your god again, you won't have lost anything by examining your faith.\nIf you decide god doesn't exist, you won't be a worse person. You'll be accepting the world as it realyy is. And that is really quite liberating.\nGood luck with your journey.
880356
if your goal is eternal despair then having hope is probably a bad thing.\n\ndon't worry.  you can still overcome it.
627028
Humans have an innate longing for meaning and purpose. Then as life continues, the need for hope, importance, and worth grow and consume us. Religion fills those needs. But God is not a religion. There is a difference between following a religion and having a relationship with God. Religion will not give you what you need...only God can do that. But you have to discover that for yourself.
291412
I have no religion, but most people believe in a god because it feels better, when times are hard, to think that there's someone looking out for you that cares, and can help you. It helps to think that if you're good, no wrong can come to you. It helps to think we are here for a reason, and when we die, we're going somewhere. It helps people get over lossed loved ones to think, "when i die i will see them", or that "they are looking out for us now". Because saying you could be tortured for every day for the rest of eternity, or you'll die and come back a rock or a sudra or even an untouchable, keeps (some) people in line. And because we all have the need to belong. People believe in God the way children believe in Santa or the tooth fairy. I'm not going to say that there is no god, that's not for me to deside. I'm just saying why some people believe that "God loves me, even if no one else does." Because it's comforting, and is all that keeps some people going. I even have some days were i say to myself how great it would be if there was a great being or power that guides me when i'm lost, to sheild me when i need sheilding, and to punish those who wrong me. But at the end of the day, it's like hopeing that santa's going to give me that bike i've always wanted.
600798
I once was a religious person but something in my faith wasn't right so i decided to give up on God. I ve started rading phylosophy and got to the idea that God doesn't help us and religion is for the ones that are weak. But let me tell you something. It isn't all about believing. YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING. And you have to work hard to achieve the real faith.If you have a Bible open it and read something. You will find out that only weak persons give up faith not the strong ones.
935941
is this real?\n\nIS THIS THE WAY LIFE IS SUPPOSED TO BE?\n\nthe only hope for the future of mankind is the possibility that someone will be able to realise that the world they were experiencing was  not   the true reality.
518790
I'm not an Atheist but I am Agnostic and no, I wouldn't sell my soul to anyone. If you can show me something solid, that I can see, touch, and feel I would be a full on believer in God, Christianity, Jesus, whatever you got. One thing that would make me believe in a heartbeat would be for me to see someone come back from the dead. I can see them and touch them. Until then all I can do is hope there is a God and that he forgives me because I didn't believe someone could give us this world and pain that we all go through out of love. I wonder, I am a thinking human being and I wonder how I got here. I understand that people have their strong feelings about religion and to them have seen miracles. But I can honestly tell you that I have seen many miraculous things as well but they could come from the earth for all I know. If you want to believe, believe. Its OK. But you shouldn't jump on others who haven't made their minds up yet. Isn't that what that "you shouldn't throw your pearls before swine" thing in the Bible is all about? I know that it hurts you because you believe but there is actual validation as to why others don't. Just look around you, its not a nice place.
382847
yes, and the funny thing is, as said above, when faced with real history, if it dissagrees with their religion in the slightest, they automatically condemn you, or assume you have your fact wrong, then give you a million bible verses, as if that tells you anything confirming 0_o thing is though, religion shouldnt RULE your life. i think its increidibly important to BELEIVE something, just dont revolve your life around it. theres no one right or true religion. what if you live your life as one religion, die, and lets say you were one religion, and you get REBORN rather than going to heaven or hell, nirvana, purgatory, nothingness, what have you, or getting any type of closure, wouldnt you feel like you revolved your life on a lie??\ni say have spirituality. have faith in SOMETHING, ANYTHING. just dont make it your entire life.
759518
When it comes to religion, a lot of people are unable to accept anything aside from what they were raised to believe or have come to believe.  They believe that their way is the right way, and everything else is just bunk.
710565
Very much so.\n\nWhen someone is down and out, you'll notice they will become more faithful in their religion.  They will pray more, hope more, etc.  \n\nDid you know that when the economy of the country starts dipping, church attendance goes up?\n\nAn ex-girlfriend once asked me-- "how can you not believe in god?  I do.  You have to.  I don't know what I'd do if he didn't exist."\n\nThat's a big crutch.
676058
Hope or something similarly silly