What is the Reason for Religon?
816069
From an objective standpoint and without claiming a God is non-excisting, i'd say religion can serve to educate people/society into the "right" morals. You could ask yourself if we would have come this far in time without Jezus sacrificing himself for us, likewise other prophets sharing similar teachings with the world. Something to think about...\n\nReligion goes as far back in time as the stoneage , when the sun was considered a god who was feared by many. When lightning and thunder struck it was considered the wrath of that god for presumed wrong doings. It didn't necessarely have anything to do with reality, even today there are still people who have this mindset of randomly assigning circumstances to an act of God.\n\nToday this mass psychology of make believe that you have to fast, that you have to pray x times a day, not have sex bfore marriage, etc... is an ongoing process. The great "unknown" is the great factor feading this mass psychology. Nobody is absolutely sure wehter there's life after death but at the same time nobody wants to go to hell either....so there's a good following, but i wouldn't claim it's always about this life after death mentality. People also need to be part of something, perhaps bigger than themselves, part of a group, part of society, part of a church that gives more meaning to their lives, for the better...\n\nunfortunately some have been misusing this mass psycholgy for their own benefit, it doesn't necessarely have anything to do with being right or wrong, people will follow under the right circumstances. The many religious interpretations (evangelists, mormons, katholics, etc..) under the bible and other scriptures are proof of this. Who's going to be right?\n\nReligious wars like presently in Iraq between the Shia and the Sunni, or protestants and catholics in Ireland are purely driven by people's shortcomings. If you know someone belongs to a certain group that is not yours and there's rivalry between both nobody knows to what extend incidences are going to manifest. You could be best friends with that person in other circumstances but history and the fact that that person chose ideas that are different than yours may put tension between you and him. You could call it collective brain washing...\n\nIt's people's nature to divide, and the more the unknown comes in or the stronger and sensitive the subject matter ,the stronger poeple will react. They will fight for what they believe is correct, otherwise their lifestyle that is being passed on by parents to children would be considered a total failure. Who would admit it's wrong ? Not many! The same apllies to other things, not just religion. Thats why there r countries\n\nOur fears for the unknown and our lack of perfect knowledge and other human shortcomings is what divided us... and i think it has nothing to do with what God wants....\n\nA religion should have its place in our society, providing that it doesn't influence another's culture and a lifestyle, and not being used as a means to judge others
532428
Terrorism is perfectly justified by a worldview that there is no God. In such a society, people are free to make whatever rules appeal to themselves. It is only the biblical standard, and similar standards in other religions (but not Islam) that keeps people from doing whatever enters their minds to do.
1094081
Ummm, probably because I'm not Muslim.\n\nI'm a Christian!\n\nYep, that would be the reason.
47292
Because there christians
900416
Having faith allows people to believe in something fantastic and beyond their reach. It gives them a feeling of power and belonging to something greater than themselves. Instead of wondering the what, when and how of our existence, faith gives people the opportunity to find the missing pieces of the puzzle. As for me I don't need to find out where I came from or where I'm going, whats important is the here and now.
1047852
Because religion is all about social control , money and power.\nAll religions want to increase their market share just like any other business.
1109470
For most people, including me, it's because of their upbringing.  However, I found many unanswered questions in my religion so I began looking into all kinds of other religions.  I decided that there is no one religion which is totally correct.  So I've developed my own belief system which is a combination of my experiences and the good things that actually work from other religions.
1025514
Religion IS just a way of life.  It is also man made but is helps one keep some sort of focus on life for the better.  There is only one main religion, the religion of the heart which teaches LOVE.
1093020
Religious...Reform, actually.\nWhy?
1131434
i think religon-christianity or any other have no part in making ppl better.\nits all about being a great human being and your karma will reward you.\nreligon or the lack of it is insignificant as long as we are not evil and we intend to do no harm.
236781
*Fades in from the darkest corner of the street*\n\nGosh! From where do you get the ideas for these interesting questions. The best part is that all your questions require a certain amount of thought process. Love those questions!\n\nNow, time for my answer, here it is-\n\nA religion serves many different purposes in a culture, I'll list the ones on the top of my mind here-\n\n1- A religion generates unity and integrity values in a culture as the people start having common beliefs and hence, common interests.\n\n2- A religion fills a color in the cultural lives of the people. People who follow a common religion are bound to have some common festivals, rituals, ceremonies etc. This not only brings people together, but also "spices up" their lives.\n\n3- A religion sometimes also decides the longeivity of a certain culture. A culture founded on the base of strong spiritual and religeous supports is less likely to be affected by the external influences like- Political invasion, cultural clashes And intra-community quarrels/disputes etc.\n\n4- A religion also helps in strengthening the moral roots of a culture. The culture in which children are taught what's wrong, what's "sin" and what's good from the early stages of their lives is more likely to produce honest, truthful, patriotic, loyal, spiritual and open-minded citizens and such cultures excel in all the fields of study and yield more competent, efficient and intellectual people to the world.\n\n*Fades out back in the dark street corner*
995714
People try to rationalize things in thier own minds, to suit themselves.  They try to make GOD in the image that "they want", instead of conforming to GOD'S way of life.\n\nIt doesnt work...\n\nI wish you well..\n\nJesse
232217
I beleive people are trying to find some sort of excuse for everything they do in life, and it is always easy to find some excuse or to blame somebody else. For me, it is really annoying when people put religion in everything they do, regardless of the religion.
1090843
To put things in perspective, science does not deny nor confirm the existence of God.  The purpose of science is to explain the mechanisms of the material world.  "They" are studying brain functions related to religious experience. Religion is observance of phenomena and traditions as they relate to God or Gods.  The reason they are studying the brain is because every major civilization in the world has some religious aspect.  By studying the brain, they could deduce an environmental, genetic or unknown variable that contributes to religion only, not God's purpose.
943714
Memetics, mostly. Religions employ fear, and have been naturally selected to do so in the meme pool, which has helped them to survive. \n\nThe second biggest reason is indoctrination of children. "Get 'em while they're young and won't know any differently" way of doing things.\n\nBeyond that, there is a vast body of MISinformation about science (particularly evolution) that clouds the progress of those who do dare to question their religion. Sites like "Answers in Genesis," and books like, "The Case for Christ," deal in intellectual dishonesty and bad science. \n\nAnd, unfortunately, without having been exposed to principles of rational thought or logic, most people that read such things and accept them without checking the facts.
131736
Religion sets out certain social rules and procedures which are essential for a civilized society. But the interpretation of these by individuals narrows the overall sphere to their knowledge on the religion. It is essential to follow the religion but not to the intrepretaions.
721314
One of the reasons for all the religious conflict is that man has incorporated his own laws into what the law of God is. Everything is about pleasing man in this day and time and not focused on pleasing God and doing what is Biblical. \n\nMany churches preach and teach what is acceptable in their own eyes. No one is coming from the Bible any more. But those are the ones who will face stiffer judgement in the end.