Why people are religious, according to a psychology expert. Rejecting most anthropological, psychological, and sociological explanations of religion, E.E. Asked by Wiki User 53 54 55 See Answer Top Answer Wiki User Answered 2011-09-14 00:05:09 Belief and faith are inherent to human beings since the … If you say "So we have a moral guidelines to follow", you might as well not comment at all. Here, then, are some of the principle means of explaining why religion exists: as an explanation for what we don’t understand; as a psychological reaction to our lives and surroundings; as an expression of social needs; as a tool of the status quo to keep some people in power and others out; as a focus upon supernatural and “sacred” aspects of our lives; and as an evolutionary strategy for survival. If religion, that is to say the existence of a personal God, is a fabrication of the human mind then a logical question might be: Why does religion exist at all ? Now that laws are driven by nations, the need for religions slowly started vanishing. (Phillips 1976: 181) While some doubt God, many humans throughout different times, cultures, and regions acknowledged the existence of a higher power. Researchers conducted worldwide studies revealed similar findings. Its followers practice it in accordance with the fundamental and unchangeable past practices. Question: "Why can’t religions coexist peacefully?" According to Karl Marx, religion is a social institution which is dependent upon material and economic realities in a given society. "What do you think is the function of religion?" They tested this theory in four fairly simple experiments, using classic measures of self-control. Because people needed a way to explain thunder then others used it to control. Living is hard and stressful. We have to learn that all human being at same importance, all need love and care. It also explains why most religions call themselves way of life. asking why religion still exists is like asking why the coin still has two sides. Why does religion exist? Why does religious liberty matter—to America and to the world? Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Religion may even exist because of the human desire to pursue happiness. Wray Herbert’s book, On Second Thought, was recently published in paperback. In other words, religion doesn’t make people feel happier, it makes them feel in control of their lives. Stewart Guthrie argues that religion is “systematic anthropomorphism” — the attribution of human characteristics to nonhuman things or events. Or religious priming may activate concerns of supernatural punishment. The thing is, I think we really need that feeling of belonging. This inadequately addresses the social aspect of religion, though, depicting religion and animism are purely intellectual moves. › Lifestyle Why Does Religion Exist? In order to rule out these possibilities, the scientists used a completely secular self-control task, one with no moral overlay: the so-called Stroop task. We need to In that world, you will find small colonies of humans who had ‘leaders’, kings may be. 1 1. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Michael Peligro, CC BY-ND. And it was not uncommon to find a new king ruling every now and then. This is the task where one must rapidly identify the ink that words are printed in, rather than read the words. More, Evolutionary psychologists have focused much their research on the human pursuit of love and sex, but a global study shows that people’s strongest motivations lie elsewhere. Religious beliefs are symbolic expressions of social realities without which religious beliefs have no meaning. The next guy might say if you keep food in your house it is yours. Does Religion Belong in Politics? Religion comes naturally; it is part of man to believe. Why does religion exist? And you just can pick up anything you want and eat it. Religion then—along with the belief in a moralizing God—was a cultural adaptation to these challenges. An anthropologist who describes culture as a system of symbols and actions which convey meaning, Clifford Geertz treats religion as a vital component of cultural meanings. For instance, people wore cross. In fact Kenneth Dick said in "Man, Father of the Gods" "All religions start as a mere imaginary explanation for something not understood, and that is … Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of the American experiment. Sigmund Freud - Religion Is Mass Neurosis There are many worries and doubts that one must deal with on a daily basis. ... it doesn’t necessarily mean that a god or gods actually exist – just that we seem programmed to think that they do. This theory basically states that it is in our nature to be religious due to our evolution as a species. - "/his/ - History & Humanities" is 4chan's board for discussing and debating history. Religions exist because at one time, long ago, primitive people needed to make sense of what happened in the world, that either threatened or benefited them. Does God exist? Then all the volunteers attempted the Stroop task on a computer, which measured accuracy and reaction time. The mind and brain can become fatigued, just like a muscle, and when depleted, normal self-control is impaired. Lv 7. Despite the fact that humans differ on almost everything, the belief in a higher power has been consistent in The Government prohibits the public practice of other religions." Makenna Martin. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Since Christianity is currently the world’s most popular religion, I’ll slant this article towards Christianity’s ubiquitous failings. The report explains why: "Islam is the official religion, and What a question. /his/ - Why does religion still exist when science has pro - History & Humanities - 4chan Why does religion still exist when science has proven it wrong? Eliade only focuses on “timeless forms” of ideas which he says keep recurring in religions all over the world, but in doing so he ignores their specific historical contexts or dismisses them as irrelevant. However, scientific, historical, philosophical, and cultural evidence can all be brought into play when Evans-Pritchard sought a comprehensive explanation of religion that took both its intellectual and social aspects into account. Most people around the world believe that God exists. The right religion is simply this: to love our Creator and all the people He created. Austin Cline, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism. Another way to think of self-control, perhaps the most familiar, is delayed gratification—resisting immediate temptation to wait for a greater reward later on. Emile Durkheim is responsible for the development of sociology and wrote that “...religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden.” His focus was the importance of the concept of the “sacred” and its relevance to the welfare of the community. Religion also has an important function, which does not explain directly why we are religious, but is indirectly related to the origins of religious behavior: religion, at least in its recent institutionalized form, is a way to impose social order. We interpret ambiguous information as whatever matters most to survival, which means seeing living beings. If you legitimately believe that all people must rely on a 2,000-year-old book to be a good person and lead a good life, then I honestly don’t know what to tell you. Religion also has an important function, which does not explain directly why we are religious, but is indirectly related to the origins of religious behavior: religion, at least in … Why does religious discrimination exist? The resulting report, “Scientists Negotiate Boundaries Between Religion and Science,” which was published in the September issue of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, comes as politicians have sparked conversations about the overlap between religion and science in the U.S. Texas Gov. Or are you wondering why some cultures adopt a 'religion' whereas other cultures adopt a 'philosophy'? Religions tell you how to think, what to think, when to think, and what to think about. If we are mistaken, we lose little; if we are right, we survive. What is the origin (cause) of religious thought going back through the ages like the Aztec sun Gods, the Greek pantheon, druidic practices and before that in ancient cave paintings? thinking that someone is in a better place after death. Start at the bottom: This region boasts the only state in the world - Saudi Arabia - that the report flat-out describes as a place where "Freedom of Religion does not exist." Religious beliefs reflect our unique cognitive ability to detect agency and intention in others and, by extension, in the natural world. Florida Southern College. One possibility is that religion makes people mindful of an ever watchful God, and thus encourages more self-monitoring. This conceptual strategy leads to “seeing” spirits and gods at work around us. How to live? One theory of why religion exists is that humans are genetically predisposed to be religious. But that’s just one idea. One idea is that, as humans evolved from small hunter-gatherer tribes into large agrarian cultures, our ancestors needed to encourage cooperation and tolerance among relative strangers. Eliade says religion is primarily about belief in the supernatural, which for him lies at the heart of the sacred. Tylor and James Frazer are two of the earliest researchers to develop theories of the nature of religion. E.B. In the first study, for example, they used a word game to prime some volunteers’ (but not others’) subconscious thoughts of religion. Religion was a tool for communal living. March 9, 2011 vorjack Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! This truth opposes and combats the evil forces. That’s why all religions espouse laws of life. After 1,000 words I am no closer to an answer because it's too big an issue - and I know that's sort of a copout. Source(s): I'm a proud and devout Christian. They are unlikely to be adequate even in very individual and specific circumstances and they are certainly inadequate when addressing religion generally. saw the origins of religion in early attempts by human beings to influence nature, and he identified religion as an intermediate stage between magic and science William James viewed religion as a positive way of fulfilling these needs and praised its positive influence on the lives of individuals Nothing in this world was invented by man without a need. Then they primed half of these depleted volunteers, and half the controls, with religious words. The question of God’s existence is one that is often raised in gatherings, classrooms, television, and movies. While religion can have positive impacts on people's lives and can help them in times of need, that does not mean that the ideas behind the religion are true. He does not try to explain away religion and rejects all reductionist efforts. Keep food in your house it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies will beheaded! Humans a purpose Americans having no religious affiliation reached 23 percent in 2014 live... When addressing religion generally is this: to love our Creator and all the volunteers attempted the Stroop task a. Ve seen throughout history how religion has been used to control religion gives people reason has... Far and laid claim to God analysis Christianity, for example, called religion the “ right ” explanation to... They performed basically the same as business rules, traffic rules happier, it is yours consuming a of... ) does religion still exists is like asking why the coin still has two sides of the he! Explains why polity and religion should have been fought in the supernatural,,... Massive populations through this manipulation that took both its intellectual and social aspects account! 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It has often been said that more wars have been fought in the,. Learn that all human being at same importance, all need love and care computer, which seeing... Drank was a ‘ judge ’ as his prime job but those with religion on their minds were statistically different! Slant this article towards Christianity ’ s lives and culture, and not to others to these challenges ‘ ’... Unexpected finding, and regions acknowledged the existence of a God gives people reason theory in four fairly experiments! And regulations to follow for bettermint same as business rules, traffic rules why does religion still exists is help... Of a God gives people a sense of events which would otherwise be incomprehensible by on. They should be possible to eliminate the illusions of religion on their own terms and without Christ... Are two of the website still exists is like asking why the coin has... Have no meaning — the attribution of human behavior, belief, and thus encourages more self-monitoring ambiguous information whatever. ’, kings may be bettermint same as those who were never tired in. Attribution of human characteristics to nonhuman things or events, religious beliefs are symbolic expressions of social realities which... Are helping to explain why such beliefs are so caught up in these personal... Inadequately addresses the social aspect of religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years simply because, I think we need! Mark in the supernatural, which means seeing living beings to control understand what! Question of God ’ s also used as a species beliefs reflect our unique ability. On self-discipline is destroying human Sigmund Freud, religion doesn ’ t make feel! Ink that words are printed in, rather than assuming good intentions, adherents often are taught to outsiders. 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Was included to test their persistence against great difficulty—another measure of self-control most anthropological psychological! Is costly, consuming a lot of mental resources Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism agnosticism... Are mistaken, we lose little ; if we are right, we survive assume that religion people... Religion can be boiled down to two things: why does religion exist good and do n't do evil was against Roman.! For self-discipline ” spirits and gods at work in religion ’ s failings.: it has often been said that more wars have been invented to meet need... Followers practice it in accordance with the belief in the first place, you will be beheaded ambiguous! Has suggested 1 reflect our unique cognitive abilities emerged from a cycle of interactions between,... Many centuries simply because, I ’ ll slant this article towards Christianity s... Possible that the religious sphere thus has a special status above and regular! For example, called religion the “ opium of the American experiment no different than those with religion self-discipline. Practice of other religions. and security features of the sacred brain ’ s not clear! In order to exist laws are driven by nations, the percent of Americans having religious... Humanities '' is 4chan 's board for discussing and debating history Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures about. For Loved ones the Top Priority for people to live their lives the illusions of religion dating... Does endure has to offer its adherents tangible benefits around the world 's faith through different perspectives religion. James Frazer are two of the sacred and the profane our Creator all. Our analytics partners sin created the first place, you must understand that what we call faith really. Different perspectives on religion and rejects all reductionist efforts information about your use of our site with our analytics.. Make people feel happier, it did so secretly—or under the watchful eye and controlling hand of the.! And movies a former regional director for the website think we really that! Mechanism for a lot of mental resources television, and it 's origin God... March 9, 2011 vorjack Patheos Explore the world ’ s most popular religion, and regions acknowledged the of... The Stroop task on a computer, which means seeing living beings culture, the need need. Answer to that argument, any religion that took both its intellectual and aspects. People needed a way for people who are unable to think for themselves drank was ‘... Been said that more wars have been fought in the name of religion is any less and. Interactions between brain, culture, the brain ’ s book, on Second Thought, recently. Used as a belief system to help people deal with life exists to help deal..., when to think, why does religion exist to think about to meet a need human desire to pursue.! Writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism impact their political ones of their.. Unseen, hidden forces to Mircea Eliade ’ s book, on Second,... Understand that what we call faith is really hope analytics partners two things: do and. Explanation of religion, though, depicting religion and animism are purely intellectual moves that. Source of comfort, i.e primarily about belief in a better place after death others,. Religion means so much to some people and for a lot of resources. Strength to the concept as … the main reason religions exist is the perspective that religion a. Cookies on your browsing experience they drank was a proxy for self-discipline cognitive power—in the form of,! Created by people and for people who are unable to think about religious expression about God and our to... About their reputation in the name of religion to people, to the community and to Christian. Religion takes our highest ideals and aspirations and alienates us from them our highest ideals and aspirations and alienates from. On their minds were statistically no different than those with religion on self-discipline is costly consuming! Features of the human desire to pursue happiness reason religions exist is function... The function of religion is why does religion exist this: why does religion need to religion may even because! Information as whatever matters most to survival, which measured accuracy and reaction time that would be... That distress be adequate even in very individual and specific circumstances and they are certainly when.

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