Why do some people have religous beliefs?

Blacksword wrote: No idea. Seems silly to me, but each to their own. If they leave me alone I won't try and infect them with my nihilistic atheism.

That just about sums it up for me. I've never felt the need to believe in an imaginary being but I don't mind if others do providing they don't try to force their beliefs on me.

I remember back when my dad first tried explaining this to me. He referred to the west coast of Denmark, where there still is a rather big (for Denmark that is) Christian community. Most of the folks living there were/are fishermen, which means having to sail some of the most treacherous seas in Scandinavia. Every time they sail out, they're in harms way. In the olden days when people knew nothing of weather forecasts and natural occurring wonders, they still had to have some faith in their safe return....and who else do you turn to when something is out of your hands? It is not hard to imagine such a strong tradition carrying on to the next generation and the one after.

Edited by Guldbamsen - October 26 2015 at 10:26

It's an old and traditional method of attempting to answer the fundamental human query of "Why are we here?"  A search for a bigger meaning.  I suppose on some level it's depressing to think that there is no bigger meaning.

  

 

 

Removed due to PA's deliberated act of deleting threads as alleged featuring negative behaviour posts towards others.

   

 

 

Edited by Otto9999 - October 31 2015 at 11:09

My parents and many relatives are very religious, and should faith in Jesus massively disappear on Earth, they want to be the last believers. To tell them we don't believe would express disdain for dozens of years of endless efforts at spreading the Good News. I'd DESERVE Hell to exist if I betray the faith they've fought so hard for.

SteveG wrote: Well, it seem that the nonbelievers won the first round in what was not intended to be a contest.   Ok, believers, it's your turn.

^It's only a matter of time.

This question can have different answers in different communities. Its relevant to culture , history , rate of illiteracy , psychology and... I mean believers are different and this make many answers to this question. There are too many things that science can't explain YET and this is very important.

It's funny to think about religious people putting things in boxes because the entire concept of God to me is something that is inconceivable

There are probably many valid answers to my question. Although, it can't be verified, I feel that we humans base a lot of our actions on beliefs. If we believe we're in eminent danger, such as a hearing someone breaking into our house at night, we're going to perform actions that will put ourselves out of danger quickly. It could have just been someone who was drunk and was trying to get in the wrong house.