Organized Religion As A Security Blanket

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   gmwilliamsposted 11 years ago

   What makes people believe in organized religions which upon close introspection,  many of its concepts are totally illogical?   Is it a combination of fear and /or societal  ostracization which causes people to believe in a religion which is no longer applicable to postmodern society? 
   
   For example, many organized religions depend upon women.   It is they who are the most active in their respective churches; however, many organized religions are downright misogynic towards women, especially dictating that they be in subordinate roles and in matters of abortion and contraception.   However, these women hold on and believe staunchly in their respective religion. 
   
   If something is harmful, why insist on believing in it?  I have seen this in my mother, aunts, and some female cousins.   Does not make sense to me.  I refuse to believe in a religion which is misogynic and illogical.  No way!   Let's discuss this!

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   1. 59

      MelissaBarrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well...  I am really not frightened and I could give a rat's ass less about being "outcast".
      
      I believe because it feels right to me.
      
      It is not harmful to me in the least and I don't feel particularly trod upon by men. 
      
      *shrugs*

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   2. 0

      Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      God loves all ppl. He loves those who don't know Him, He loves Christians, He loves the old and the young, men and women, gays and straights. The Bible says He came that all might be saved. If you attend a church that preaches hate, it's time to find a new church.

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   3. 61

      howtolearnmoreposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Some churches teach hate, some companies do shady business - things happen. People are who they are.
      
      You see, the news tell you only about scandals involving churches and mosques - pedophiles, forced marriages, etc. But no one ever speaks publicly about the good deeds that happen within those four walls.

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         Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         agreed

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   4. 0

      Sarra Garrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      the unfortunate thing is that most of these women don't know any better and are afraid of going to Hell.  Personally, I wouldn't be in any religion where I have to "serve" a man and "obey" a man as if I were a dog.  Not to mention the fact that if I had to keep my face covered or walk 10 paces behind a man just wouldn't fit with me. 
      
      The bible states that all men (including women) are created equal.  Organized religions don't believe in equality of the sexes.  Besides, religion wasn't supposed to be organized in the first place.  NOTE:  If you are not supposed to bow down to false idols then why do many religions have them on their alters?
      
      I feel bad for any woman who feels as though she is a doormat for a man or a religion.  It's just wrong.  People are people be it man or woman both sexes are humans.

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         Sarra Garrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         my intention is not to offend anyone. I personally would  not make it one day in a country who treats women so poorly and I would probably be shot or stoned to death for my modern ideas.

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   5. 0

      Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Most people depend on Organized Religion so tightly because that's all they know. From birth a lot of people are trained and indoctrinated in whatever their parents believe. Once they grow up, however, that earlier programming is so ingrained in our system that at times people refuse to accept or entertain any other options as believable, no matter how much something seems strange. A lot of people would rather say they were not meant to know than to find out they were wrong in what they believed for fear that they would already be too far gone to be redeemed.

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         Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I would assume your statement  "From birth a lot of people are trained and indoctrinated in whatever their parents believe." is true for ppl whether they believe in God or are Atheist and pretty much every thing in between?

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            Deepes Mindposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Yes, In a lot of cases. In other cases it's a matter of whatever they read and how well they understand the material being presented to them

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2. 79

   RooBeeposted 11 years ago

   I understand your frustration and I used to get hung up thinking about the same things. For me personally, organized religion doesn't fit at all - but I try not to be hypocritical by judging church members or assuming I know better (even though I do...I kid, I kid..just lightening things up..) Anyway, I have experienced some pretty bad behavior at the hands of religious people, but also from all kinds of other people in all different walks of life. And it goes the same way with really nice people. Some of my most favorite individuals on this earth are devoutly religious while others are full-on atheists - and still more fall somewhere in between. I guess over the years I've come to have a deeper fondness for bonds of true friendship (or at least mutual respect) between humans than I do my opinion or my beliefs. I very much enjoy a good healthy debate with a friend who disagrees with me, even though we're not necessarily going to change one another's minds about anything. Human interaction, when approached with an open mind & heart on both ends, is a really beautiful thing and can dispel a lot of the stigma we attach to our differences.

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   1. 84

      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is what it is all about.  No putting down and/or harsh criticisms.   While I do not believe in any form of organized religion, I am a spiritual person who knows that there is a God.   I am also a New Ager who leans towards the metaphysical.    There are those who believe in the more traditional religions and IT IS THEIR UNMITIGATED RIGHT to do so.   Each person is FREE to believe as he/she pleases as long as he/she RESPECTS the other person's RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL beliefs.
      
      This thread is HOME to everyone.  Feel free to stop by and add to the discussion.   All is fine.

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3. 62

   TicksProfessionalposted 11 years ago

   Every individual is different and so are their priorities, values and especially how they define certain terms, such as freedom, spirituality, religiosity, justice and equality. Feminists in the Middle East for , example might argue that they want the freedom to wear their headscarf or veil for the reasons that it makes them feel safer, because it adds to their self confidence, because they feel more free when they are covered and so on. For some people their religiosity comes prior to freedom. You might feel that it is wrong to believe in things that seem illogical but people might have their own way of looking at things making those very things seem logical to them. Moreover not everyone on this planet is keen to make sense of the things they do. People might engage in activities that they find convenient, empowering or spiritually satisfying whether or not they are logical and fair or even if they sometimes seem outright cruel. A woman might feel that her religion prescribes what is best for her even though it may seem unfair to  others but how can anyone challenge such notions when the basis of religion for most people is not reason but revelation.

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      Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I so appreciate that statement. Thank you for sharing.

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