this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2024
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Serious answer:
I can't speak for anyone else, but I believe in a religion because I've found it to be personally beneficial.
I was a pastor for many years and saw much of the best and worst religion had to offer. I haven't stepped foot inside a church since COVID broke out and don't know that I ever will again.
My personal beliefs are still a significant part of my life, but I understand why someone would ask the question that spawned this discussion.
You find it personally beneficial, but you haven't actually answered the question.
I think that does answer the question - for a lot of people, the reason they're religious is because they find it personally beneficial for one reason or another.
yup, religion has made me mentally stable so I guess it's beneficial to me at least.
I guess I'm putting emphasis on the word "believe" and you seem to be seeing religion as a way to find comfort. This is why I feel you are not actually answering the question that OP posed. Perhaps I'm taking the question too literally.
Adding more to this. The question is why do you believe in religion, not why you are religious. To me, there's a difference between the two of these.
There is a significant difference, but, in my limited experience, many people are religious, but don't actually believe, but they think they do believe. When the rubber hits the road you find it what a person actually thinks is true.
Think of your closest friend or family member. Do you "believe in" them?