I am not against religion. I am actually a religious person, but I'm wondering this:
Why is it that ever since the beginning of time, people have been searching for something to believe in? Is it because of all the preoblems in the world? Are people hoping the Messiah will come and save us? Or are they thinking that the Messiah already came and there is no hope? I don't know. Regardless of what you believe in, surely sometimes you ask yourself,"What is this all about?" I'd like to have people's opinions, and do not want to start a fight.

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No one wants to die and never exist again so they believe that there might be something after death.

I'm actually more afraid of living forever than I am of ceasing to exist after death. It may seem weird, but that's the way I am. Eternal life (either in paradise or damnation) is not my cup of tea. Seventy or eighty years here on Earth is just enough.

the belief in god or a supernatural power is inherited by every human being psychologically. The belief in god arises as an explanation to cope with humans fears. Think about it arent all religions based on fear. No one wants to die and never exist again so they believe that there might be something after death. Christians believe in christ because their scared of satan and burning in hell. Im not against religion or the belief in god but i do however believe that deep down religion is more or less the ultimate means of control.when u think about it its perfect. live a good and moral life or suffer the pain and suffering of hell.

I don't know why everyone else chooses religion 'cause I'm not completely sure why I choose it myself. I'm just not an atheist. I'm a sort of Christian, even if I don't follow the rules and hate the messages that the bible sends out sometimes. But I guess I'm in it for the good messages, like 'be nice to one another' and for belief that when it's over, it will of all been worth while.

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Note that most cultures have the same laws, though they have different religions.

Indeed. That's because all religions have the same moral basis. They're just packaged differently.

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Is that why the Christian Americans overthrew the Christian British?

Because the colonies were secularizing faster than Europe, unfortunately the tide hast turned. And anyway that war was all economic.

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And guess what? Most laws today (even in America) are still based on religion. Don't steal, don't kill, don't lie, et cetera. They are all laws with a fundamental religious basis.

Not really. Those laws were made and put into practice before they became sacred. It just makes it much easier to follow when it is in a religion. And I think that the laws could have been made up without a religious backing. Note that most cultures have the same laws, though they have different religions.

I think religion is a way to make people feel better for what they do that is concrened wrong to society. I think religion is a way to make people feel important like few people on here already said. I think religion is something that gives a person hope and that it gives the person a sense of belonging.

Also, I think religion is a place where people who have the same beliefs can come together and rejoice.

I think religion can be both good and bad, depending the way a person's uses it.

i would like to take this time to give a permanent shout-out to finn620 & greenleaf771, you 2 are probably 2 of the smartest people on YN besides me. i hear what you're saying, it sounds good.

Hmmmmmm, Good Question

You're eternally damned, Finn. Hehe. So am I. <SARCASM/>

Yes, but it would be nice if we could engage in one sane debate without anyone getting eternally damned.

Yea, true. . .

What did you expect? This is one of the most controversial religious topics out there. It's only natural reactionary would show up and condemn us all to hell for questioning religion.

See? It only took five posts.

What does that have to do with anything? We just substituted openly state-sponsored Anglicanism for pseudo-state-sponsored ecumenism.

And guess what? Most laws today (even in America) are still based on religion. Don't steal, don't kill, don't lie, et cetera. They are all laws with a fundamental religious basis.

So, what exactly was your point?

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Originally posted by clpo13:
Religion was created to impose order on the masses.

Is that why the Christian Americans overthrew the Christian British?

Religion was created to impose order on the masses. It still is, technically. By saying that there's some sort of god watching over everyone, the priests (who were uber-powerful way back when) could keep people in line. Have a problem with thieves? Invent a god who hates people who steal. Too many couples having sex and producing more kids than your town can handle? Say that your god says sex is evil.

It's a surefire way to create order.

Religion was created by people to make us feel like we are significant. As if we are part of some all-powerful being. It was created because we wanted things we could not find, such as reassurance, everlasting life, and peace. I do not believe in any specific religion because of this, but that doesn't mean that people who do take religion seriously are wrong.

Everything on YN starts a fight. *sigh*

I believe that humans create religion as a way to comfort themselves. Looking at most religions, we find that they usually contain some sort of belief in an afterlife, a divine place in the universe for humans, and a moral code. This soothes our fears of dying, of being insignificant, and of not being sure what is right and wrong. The fact that religion allieveates human concern while often having anthropocentric deities leads me to believe that religions are a product of the human brain and are not windows to the Truth.

Sadly, this probably will start a fight.