What do you think the point of religion is?

[Sick_Boy]

First off, I just want to say that this is my opinion, and I don't mean to offend anyone. But anyway...

I'll be honest, I've thought religion (in general) was a stupid and pointless concept. But over the past couple of years, I've come to formulate the opinion that the purpose of religion is to provide comfort for it's followers. I guess it's that whole "man created god so god could creat men" kind of thing. The comfort of knowing that god put us here for a reason and that he loves us and that he'll be waiting in heaven for us, etc. I should add that I only really have experience in Christianity, but I'm going to assume that most religions offer these sorts of comforts.

As an atheist, I believe that when you die, you're gone forever, and this depresses me. Or that your soul is kind of like a computer and it gets erased once you die and is used in a new baby. Not reincarnation, exactly, because your 'data' is erased. Either way the point is that you're gone forever once you die.

I wish that I could believe in a heaven, but I just can't. But there are some people who can believe and take comfort in this, and that is why religion is around.

In my opinion, this is the only useful purpose religion serves. It gives people hope.

So, what do you guys think?

PS: I know this is more than likely a very unoriginal thought, but since I'm just coming to this conclusion on my own, I find it kind of interesting.

[Holy Martyr]

Segregation.

Once people are divided they are much easier to control. And what better to use for division than giving the people hope?

[This message has been edited by Holy Martyr (edited 01-18-2007).]

[Hare_Geist]

I’ve noticed that all religions work like scams. They convince you that there is something wrong with you and that only they have the solution.

Christianity says you’re all sinners and that only God can help you and make you happy, Buddhism says everyone suffers and that only their eightfold path can save you, Scientology says everyone is covered in Thetans and that only they can help you, etc. etc. etc.

[panthermodern]

Religion is a natural part of mans instinct to try and explain the unknown. Now that we have science, though, we don't need to invent gods.

But, we still do, and sadly, we probably always will.

[Kooper0]

quote:Originally posted by Sick_Boy:



As an atheist, I believe that when you die, you're gone forever, and this depresses me. Or that your soul is kind of like a computer and it gets erased once you die and is used in a new baby. Not reincarnation, exactly, because your 'data' is erased. Either way the point is that you're gone forever once you die.

I wish that I could believe in a heaven, but I just can't. But there are some people who can believe and take comfort in this, and that is why religion is around.

I have the same feeling. The thought of going to heaven and having eternal happiness is amazing, but I'll never truly believe it.

I think religion was created as a way to control the masses.

[Levo75]

quote:Originally posted by Kooper0:

I think religion was created as a way to control the masses.

Exactly.

[Gorcrow]

Religion is a lie which is exploited to control people.

When people doubt the lie and ask for an explanation as to how it works, religious fanatics invent another bigger lie to explain the previous lie. So-on and so-forth and fuck God.

[Mendocino]

People cannot deal with the fact that they cease to exist once they die. So instead of handling it rationally, they create some father figure like God. This way they think they are going to somewhere after they die, rather than returning to oblivion. I can see why, as realizing the clock is ticking will get rather depressing.

[Hare_Geist]

quote:Originally posted by Mendocino:

People cannot deal with the fact that they cease to exist once they die. So instead of handling it rationally, they create some father figure like God. This way they think they are going to somewhere after they die, rather than returning to oblivion. I can see why, as realizing the clock is ticking will get rather depressing.

That's the reason for believing in an afterlife and God, not the reason for a religion.

I agree with you that that is one of the reasons (there are more), and I think religions exploit this belief to entice people into them.

[---Beany---]

I think they are intended to act as a guide to a better life.

I'm not saying they are successful, but I think that is the essence of a religeon.