Why do people believe in God?

[walkingman]

Honestly not being a troll - I am curious to understand why people believe in a God?

Born 1950 - I was raised going to church (Baptist) and Sunday School until I was in HS with my family. After that - no. My grandmother went so I went with her sometimes but not regularly. I was never Baptized although I was the only child (of 4 children) that was not. From my memory it was around the 7-8 grade that my brother and sisters were but when asked if I believed I said I wasn't really sure and did not.

For years after that when questioned if I was religious on any forms, questionnaires, etc. they always asked you religion - I answered Baptist. And for decades I always "played like" I believed simply because in Texas at the time it was best to just "go long". I suspect kind of like back then no one would dare say they were GAT until the middle/late 60's with the cultural revolution.

Anyway - the question...Why do people believe in God? With absolutely no evidence? virgin birth? the bible stories seem ridiculous (especially as you get older)?

Is it because of indoctrination at a young age - if so, wonder why it didn't take for me? Even to this say all of my siblings are right-wing fundamentalists (my definition).

In the last 40 year or so as politics and religion have seemed to merge it is really a turn off for me.

Any thoughts on the issue? ☮

[NoRethugFriends]

1. I think my bumper sticker says it all "Critical Thinking, the Other American Deficit.

But I guess it applies to the whole world.

[walkingman]

4. I tend to agree with you but

Critical thinking is a kind of thinking in which you question, analyze, interpret, evaluate and make a judgement about what you read, hear, say, or write.

So obviously "believers" must come to some kind of conclusion based upon their reasoning....right?

[Major Nikon]

20. It means the strength of your conviction should be proportional to your evidence

Supernatural belief requires the suspension of reason

[walkingman]

80. True - for sure it seems here in Texas.

[elleng]

2. Never figured it out, maybe because I'm secure enough not to have such needs.

(Didn't read along with the congregation @ synagogue service, even when prodded by Dad to do so, 'cause couldn't recite something I couldn't accept/believe, around age 10.)

[walkingman]

6. As a kid we did what was called a "sword drill" which is where you had kind of a contest

to see who could find a scripture in the bible the fastest. I can still recite all of the books in the Bible which I learned at around age 8 or so.

[walkingman]

78. Peace and Love to you! Life is short....enjoy!!

[LW1977]

3. Take it to the Secular group!

Not everyone here agrees with you, and I’m sick to death of people on here ridiculing my beliefs calling me weak-minded because right wing people are blaspheming my faith! I still believe in a separation of church and state! There should be a no-religion or atheism policy on this site… and yes you are trollng!

[walkingman]

5. Didn't mean to offend you - would you mind just telling me

why you believe? I certainly have no desire to ridicule you. You actually remind me of my siblings who refuse to even discuss the topic with me and yet are very devout?

[murielm99]

17. Thank you.

People are not allowed to go to the astrology group and ridicule astrology. There should be a group or two where Christians are given the same respect. Take it somewhere else!

[Major Nikon]

22. There most definitely are those groups. This isn't one of them

This is the one and only group on DU where you can have such discussions. If you are looking for a group where you can discuss religious topics without dissenting viewpoints, there’s multiple groups in which you can do exactly that.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1217

[walkingman]

34. Do you think me asking the question "why do you believe" is ridicule?

I honestly would like to hear other opinions. What better place than in a religion forum.

Is my question demeaning in any way?

[Major Nikon]

21. Nonsense

This forum has always been about discussing all religious topics freely and openly. If you want to discuss your religion without the application of critical thinking, there’s other groups in which you can do that.

[wnylib]

23. I agree with you. It is not possible for anyone

with a religious faith to have a discussion on DU without being trolled. There might as well not be a religion forum because it gets trolled constantly.

The atheist forum is a haven for atheists that has zero tolerance for people of any faith to discuss religious beliefs there. I can understand that, too. They don't want people proselytizing. They have their position on religion and don't want their forum trolled by people making religious belief comments to them. They are free there to ridicule religion and people who follow one. Anyone who would respond there with a pro religion position gets booted out.

Atheists can read something on the religion forum that they think is bonkers and go back to their own forum to laugh and criticize it. Instead, they barge into the religion forum to do that and nobody stops them.

I have not seen any purpose guidelines in the religion forum that would make it a haven for people of faith to discuss religion without being trolled or harassed by people who dislike or oppose religion. Try to have a serious discussion about any tenet of any religion and someone will derail it with direct ridicule or with fake questions about it in order to express their view that it's nonsense.

Since RW politicians have taken over some religions, I criticize those RW religious positions. Since DU is a left wing message board group, that is in keeping with the DU purpose of supporting the Democratic Party' as a left wing political organization. There are several thousand religious people in the US and elsewhere whose political views align with liberalism and the Democratic Party. Some of them are Dem Party leaders and elected officials, like Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, Nancy Pelosi, and several more.

But, despite those stellar leaders of our party who practice religious beliefs, opponents of religion on DU have made religion a litmus test of acceptability or lack of it here. I sometimes wonder how they reconcile their mantra of religious people being weak minded, superstitious, and lacking in critical reasoning skills with their praise of Biden's expertise and knowledge of foreign affairs, ability to negotiate both foreign and domestic policies, and clear thinking, sharp witted mind.

So, in reality, DU does not have a place for religious people to have troll free discussions of their beliefs. If you just accept that as a regular feature of DU, you can ignore the anti religion trolls. At least DU makes that possible with its ignore option.

[ShazzieB]

27. Thanks for this!

I started trying to write a response to this last night, but just couldn't do it. I am VERY uncomfortable even admitting I believe in the existence of a supreme being at DU even though I don't belong to any organized religion at this point and my definition of "God" is probably pretty unconventional.

It's very ironic to me that although the TOS here says "no divisive group attacks," non atheists are one group who are in fact considered fair game for insults and attacks by many here. I don't mean directly attacking individuals for their beliefs. I don't think I've actually seen that here, but I have seen many, many disparaging comments about God, religion in general, and Christianity, in particular (not just certain forms of it, but Christianity as a whole, as if ALL denominations are exactly the same and All Christians are homophobes, transphobes, racists, and misogynistic, when in fact nothing could be farther from the truth).

I don’t have anything against atheists; I like atheists on the whole and actually agree with them about a lot of things. I wish they would consider the fact that when they post those kinds of harsh insults at DU, they are in fact insulting many of their fellow DUers. It only takes a few people posting about how "stupid" it is to believe in a "sky daddy" to make people feel that it's not safe to admit to possessing any kind of religious beliefs or finding meaning in some sort of religious practice here at DU.

The fact is, I don't know why the hell I believe there is a God, I just DO. I don't know how to NOT believe there is something "out there." It feels like it's just wired into my being somehow. It's fascinating to me to read about how some people grew up being taken to religious services like I was but never felt any kind of connection with it. It was exactly the opposite for me. I LOVED going to church, and I believed in all of it, whole-heartedly.

By the time I was in my teens, I hsd started to question certain teachings, particularly the one that said everyone who didn't believe exactly as my church said they should was going to burn in hell for all eternity. Because of things like that, I eventually left the denomination I grew up in, But I never stopped finding meaning in religion. One particular church getting some things wrong didn't ruin the whole thing for me.

There's a scene in Roots, when newborn Kunta Kinte's father holds him up to the sky and says, "Behold the only thing greater than yourself!" That's how I feel: that there is something in the universe greater than myself, something that I feel a connection to. Different people define that something in different ways, some of which I don't agree with, and that's fine with me. Some don't believe in it at all, and that's fine with me, too. I have absolutely no idea why some of us feel that connection to something greater than ourselves and some don't, but I certainly don't believe those who feel that connection are superior to those who don't in ANY way. I am respectful of everyone else's beliefs or lack thereof, and I wish for the same thing in return. I don't think that's unreasonable.

[walkingman]

55. I'm not sure your are confirming that my question of "Why do you believe in God" is offensive

of just saying that you "loved going to church" but not to the point that you joined the church? And when you say you believe there is a GOD or Supreme Being, what does that actually mean? Ever thought about that?

Imago Dei ("image of God&quot The moral implications of the doctrine of imago Dei are apparent in the fact that if humans are to love God, then humans must love other humans, as each is an expression of God.

[ShazzieB]

83. What I was confirming is that talking about believing in God at DU does not feel safe.

does not feel at all safe. It really doesn't. (Sorry to reply to this so late, btw.)

As for joining the church, of course I did. Many Christian denominations baptize babies into membership, but I was a Baptist, meaning church membership was a personal decision made when I felt moved to do so. I was 10 years old at the time. I whole-heartedly believed in what I was being taught, so becoming a member was a no-brainer for me. I was baptized by full immersion (another aspect of being a Baptist), and the whole thing was a very meaningful experience for me.

Years later, I reached a point where I no longer believed all of the dogma, especially the part about how everyone who didn't believe as I did was going to hell. (That was the big deal breaker for me.) When I reached that point, I realized I no longer felt at home in that denomination, but for me, not believing in a particular set of religious teachings or belonging to a particular denomination =/= rejecting the whole idea of religion or God.

At this point in time, my personal beliefs are too amorphous to sum up easily. I haven't been a Baptist in decades, but neither am I an atheist. That's really all I can say about it.

[walkingman]

84. Understand - I honestly am just curious what others think about the issue. As I said earlier, I had

exactly the same experience as you did growing up as a Baptist. I didn't choose to get baptized at a kid and it wasn't much of an issue for me at the time. However, as I got older it caused my family (Mom and my brothers and sisters) to push me to go to church and present it an attitude of "holier-than-thou". Their religious convictions dominate their lives these days to the point that it is basically their entire social and family lives.

My honest opinion these days is that religion is a personal issue but it never presents itself in that manner - not for Christians or any of the Abrahamic religions. The really big thing that turns me off these days is the issue of government involvement that is used to garner support for religious believers - to me it is clear that is all it is - nothing more. I also never understand the usage of a religious holy book to justify things like slavery, homosexuality, etc. And isn't it pretty obvious that the "virgin birth" thing was more than likely (if it really did happen) Mary not admitting to pre-martial sex for fear of getting stoned to death?

I truly wish you Peace and Love and as I said your religious beliefs are your personal decision and thank you for explaining your belief.

[wnylib]

56. I also have nothing against atheists.

They are totally free to not believe in any religion or religious ideas like a Supreme Being of any kind. Makes no difference to me. I have no interest whatever in proselytizing. I go a step further and say that if they want to express their views and ridicule religion in the General Discussion forum or other forums on DU, that's their right, just as it's my right to express my views or ridicule theirs if I want to, which I don't. I just wish that DU had a forum that would be the equivalent of the atheist forum, to serve as a haven for people of religious belief to talk freely without ridicule or attack.

Not having a haven like that leaves out a large chunk of Democratic party members. It creates an impression that you have to be an atheist in order to be a Democrat. I don't think that we can afford to cut off and shut out the votes and donations of liberal and progressive religious people without hurting ourselves politically.

I agree that belief in a god is sometimes basically feeling a connection to something greater than the self. People can find that in an occupation, hobby, non religious organization, or in belief in a god, with or without religion. People can be spiritual but not religious. Some people can find spirituality in religion. Others don't.

I grew up in religiously liberal Protestant denomination. That is not the same as a politically liberal denomination. When used as a religious term, liberalism means a metaphorical interpretation or understanding of religious faith rather than a literal approach to it. It also means taking into account the historical context of religious writings and traditions and accepting that people and religions grow and change.

So my religious background was not the negative one that some people have expressed on DU as their experience. I can understand that a negative experience would sour them on religion and a concept of God. But then they generalize that as if it applies to, or should apply to, every person and every religion. If they want to reject religion because of their experience, that's their right and decision. But that does not give them the right to push their view on me any more than I would have a right to push my views on them. But expressing a view in the course of a conversation is not the same as aggressively pushing a view on someone.

There are some atheists who are just as in-your-face dogmatic about not having a dogma as Jehovah's Witnesses are in their conviction that they have to push their beliefs into the faces of others. But I don't generalize that to all atheists because that would be inaccurate in my experience. I know many atheists whom I like, respect, and can agree with on a variety of topics and issues. As I see it, they have their views and I have mine. Anyone who is sincerely comfortable with their view on religion, whether atheist or religious, does not need to attack others for their views.

[Major Nikon]

85. I believe you contradicted yourself

You say this:

I don't mean directly attacking individuals for their beliefs. I don't think I've actually seen that here, but I have seen many, many disparaging comments about God, religion in general, and Christianity, in particular (not just certain forms of it, but Christianity as a whole, as if ALL denominations are exactly the same and All Christians are homophobes, transphobes, racists, and misogynistic, when in fact nothing could be farther from the truth).

I'm not going to get into the last part of your accusation, which I'm pretty sure just isn't true other than to say if you think it is, some relevant examples are in order for it to be believable.

Then you say this:

I wish they would consider the fact that when they post those kinds of harsh insults at DU, they are in fact insulting many of their fellow DUers.

If someone isn't getting attacked for their beliefs, then they certainly shouldn't feel that way. If they see criticism of their faith as an attack on themselves, then that really is on them, not those offering such criticisms. So I think you are laying your blame of all this on the wrong people.

This is group is a place, and in fact the only place on DU, where people can have open discussions about religion. That means people are free to promote their beliefs here, but it also means people may offer criticism of that belief. If you look at all the harm caused by religion, you can pinpoint the reason it continued was because open criticism was forbidden. I think what you are asking for doesn't do anyone any good regardless of what they believe or not. Just as religion should be free to promote itself, so should anyone be free to condemn it.

[walkingman]

35. So just the act of questioning is offensive? I am trying to understand the logic of religion.

Is that wrong, offensive. I personally don't care if someone believes or not and certainly do not have any intention of ridiculing anyone.

My thoughts are - what is the basis of religious believe when we have no evidence or proof. Is it because we are told it at an early age? If so, then why do I have serious doubts about it's validity?

[NoRethugFriends]

26. this is a religion group, not a believer's group.

[MOMFUDSKI]

33. Somebody

touched a nerve.

[edhopper]

47. This is the group to

talk ABOUT religion. Not the group to support those who are religious. It is a no holds barred forum for all viewpoints on religion.
If questioning religion and belief offends you, this is not the Forum for you.

[Act_of_Reparation]

58. The overwhelming majority of the content on this site involves ridiculing beliefs.

You're upset because in this case, those beliefs are yours.

A little childish, don't you think?

[ZZenith]

7. It all depends on your definition of God, don't you think?

If you define God as being some dude sitting in a big chair up in the clouds who sits in judgement of creatures he created, then yes, it’s a ridiculous belief.

If you define God as the some total of all that exists, has ever existed or will ever exist then it’s a ridiculous belief to not have.

[mahina]

14. Precisely.

[walkingman]

36. I was always told to believe that GOD knows and understands everything we do in life for everyone.

Doesn't make any sense to me. Billions of people, who knows maybe trillions since the beginning?

Maybe my concept of GOD is too juvenile since I learned it as a juvenile?

[ZZenith]

46. It's difficult to grasp an intelligence that powerful, innit?

And yet, you and I have intelligence, so it’s not unreasonable to think that the sum total of everything is sentient. Omniscience and omnipotence are hard concepts to grasp because we possess neither, but that doesn’t preclude them.

I would suggest you toss out all the garbage that was heaped upon you as a child and approach the question with a fresh mind. People have been pondering the issue for millennia and if you can scrape away all the dogma, some beautiful insights into reality can be found in religious and philosophical texts all over the world.

[walkingman]

64. That's a good point.

Using that definition wouldn't all the religions that exist on the Earth be man made and seem to be based on an alter ego.

[ZZenith]

65. I'm not sure I understand your question.

All religions that exist on the Earth are man made, yes. That’s the case no matter how one defines “God.”

[walkingman]

66. So in reality there is no one "true" religion or GOD. It is just a matter

of which one you like the best or none at all. See, I've always viewed it as a manifestation of what I was told as a child. I've always thought that depending on where you were born and what you were exposed to would determine what "religion" you believed in. Then when I hear people attack others for their beliefs or none at all it just seems silly to me.

As I said in the OP I was actually ashamed for years to admit that I didn't believe. What I see in my present day life is a cult mentality and even hostility towards those that have differing opinions. It just doesn't seem healthy to me.

That is the reason I asked, "Why do people believe in GOD?"

[ZZenith]

67. Are you familiar with the parable of the three blind men and the elephant?

The parable of the blind men and an elephant is a story of a group of blind men who have never come across an elephant before and who learn and imagine what the elephant is like by touching it. Each blind man feels a different part of the elephant's body, but only one part, such as the side or the tusk. They then describe the elephant based on their limited experience and their descriptions of the elephant are different from each other. In some versions, they come to suspect that the other person is dishonest and they come to blows. The moral of the parable is that humans have a tendency to claim absolute truth based on their limited, subjective experience as they ignore other people's limited, subjective experiences which may be equally true.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_men_and_an_elephant


Now, as human beings we each of us have such an infinitesimally small perspective on the Sum Total of All Being that it’s ludicrous to claim to know the complete picture, and you’re wise to ignore anyone who makes that claim. That doesn’t in any way negate that The Sum Total of All Being actually does exist.

[walkingman]

71. Cool video - reminded me of my first algebra class where my only thought was

whoa - wait a minute and let me see if I can grasp this!! Yes, sometimes it is hard to keep an open mind but in the long run never disappoints. But definately sometimes dangerous. I sometimes feel like a cuckoo questioning what is considered normal but the GOD question seems to always come up....always.

Thank you for your post!!

[brewens]

8. It started out as a brilliant leap of logic for people that had no understanding of geology yet.

Everything in much of their world was caused by someone or something, good or bad. It might be a neighboring chief or a new lead animal in a herd they hunted. It made sense that what affected their lives in the sky above or ground below was cause by something and they called that a god or spirit.

[walkingman]

37. That makes sense to me. However, that is not the message I hear....ever.

Are we thinking of GOD in terms of GOD being a human like us. I think that is how I was taught?

[brewens]

49. It took them a few thousand years to settle on one god being the best message. We know now a lot

of the same messages, lessons, and stories were being told as far back as we have writing of any kind. Not all the much of any of these religions has been new since then. All of it has depended on who won what fight, political or in wars. No god ever had anything to do with any of it.

[walkingman]

79. Agree - as time passes and we become smarter and smarter so at some point

who knows we might understand and have a universal acceptance of our existence...but I wouldn't bet on it. Their is a lot of $$$ and conflict involved in religion so that alone makes it very complicated.

[vlyons]

9. Yes I think it's because from childhood, people are taught to accept god on faith and faith alone

I'm 76 yr and was raised an Episcopalian from childhood. Later as an adult, I became interested in Buddhism, which is not really a religion, but a practice of training one's mind. There is no creator god in Buddhism. There is no invisible sky god, who suspends the laws of physics, biology, science, etc. All things arise based on previous causes and conditions. So to say there is a god, begs the question of who or what created a creator god? Then who or what created the creator of the creator god ad infinitum.

I don't contradict my Christian relatives and friends about their religious beliefs, it wouldn't change them if I did. Besides they have very strong emotional investment in their religious beliefs. Some of them get quite angry and hostile, if I talk about Buddhism.

[Butterflylady]

28. I'm another 76 yr old

And I agree with your assumption except my grandma was Baptist and she raised as such for the first 6 years of my life. I also have lived my life following the tenets of Buddhism. It's a beautiful philosophy.

[walkingman]

38. The only problem I have with Christians (I don't know anyone who professes another religion) is they

do not like to discuss their religion in real terms. The first tenet of religion is you believe - never why? And why would anyone ever feel victimized by being asked about their religion?

[walkingman]

60. Wonderful story - thanks for sharing. Have you ever visited?

[walkingman]

77. These days when asked what my religion is for a medical appointment or any document

(not sure why they even ask that question) I always answer Buddhist. I'm not Buddhist but I do like their concept of Karma, Rebirth, and Living for the Good of the Whole, so not that dishonest.

Personally, I think of religion as a personal things but it seems that for the Abrahamic religions that is not possible. It seems to come up in personal conversations, government, while out in the public, everywhere.

The most disappointing things to me is family relationships. It seems a big deal to my relatives that my wife and I are not religious. ☮

[Skittles]

10. cannot handle reality

easier to make up stuff

[Laffy Kat]

11. I agree.

There's a laziness to it. Having faith is simply too easy.

[mahina]

13. Name checks out

[Skittles]

57. I don't have a problem with people believing in anything that helps them get by

but I have a HUGE problem with them inflicting their delusions on others, either directly or via laws.

[marybourg]

12. To allay their fear of death; the basis of all religions.

[Major Nikon]

25. It's the basis of belief

Religion is the cultivation of that belief into useful attributes like marching to your death in war, cultural control, and skimming benevolent donation funds.

[walkingman]

39. I don't fear death - I like being here but realize it is only for a short time.

I'm not sure what I would do if I lived forever - after over 70 years I am kind of bored already.

[nowforever]

15. Fear of death

Fear of death is human's greatest fear. This fear is transmuted into fear of the unknown. Creation of this invisible omniscient being helps allay this fear. It affords people a shield and a comfort to deal with the terror of losing their existence. Big Daddy is here to make it all better when you turn to dust.

[walkingman]

76. I don't fear death - I worry about those I will leave behind. Maybe because I am already old

and I know the end is near?

[Maraya1969]

16. I believe that God is what connects us all. Not a personal God but a spirit that

just exists. Maybe I believe this because I started meditating many years ago and I found that there is something there when I am a deep meditative state. Maybe others would say I have connected with my soul I don't know. I just know that there is more to me than all the conditioning that has caused me to believe a bunch of things that aren't true. I also don't want to not believe because that would scare me.

[walkingman]

40. I love those thoughts. I hate it when I see people's religious beliefs telling other how they should

live and especially when laws are based on religion.

However, I have read that to be elected in America it would be impossible if you did not profess to be religious. Not sure if that is a real requirement but it seems to be accepted as one.

[walkingman]

75. Interesting, can you describe the "something there" a little more?

[Maraya1969]

81. The name of the religion is Advaita.

I went to a monastery there in March and also last year. There are pictures of many sages and saints, including Jesus.

Ramana Maharshi was an enlightened being but talked very little. People came from all over to have a chanced to sit with him. He passed away in the early 20th century.

If you can let go of all of the thoughts that you and I have.


https://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/teachings/instructions/

Also here is Mooji and he is my Guru; He is giving instructions about who you really are and how to to stay in that spot.

[walkingman]

82. Reminds me of some of the Yoga classes I took in the 60's , thank you for posting.

[herding cats]

18. As a person raised Christian I have some thoughts

My foremost belief is a fear of death. If we're being honest that's a pretty scary concept, and it's nice to think (from a small age forward) you'll see your loved one(s) again. It takes the harshness away from the loss and introduces a gentle hope. It's a darn sweet carrot to indulge in.

I've always believed this is the ultimate selling point of Christianity7. You get to be reunited with those you loved and lost once again. Grief is a powerful force. Stronger than most other human emotions if you loved the person who passed. It can be completely incapacitating.

The caveats vary per the flavor of who does get to be reunited with their lost loved ones, but the concept is the same. It's the hope to see them again.

[walkingman]

41. I would love to see my Dad and Mom again. Just to have a "grownup" conversation about things

based upon our life experiences. I never had those conversations. They just didn't seem to be possible....for some reason.

[walkingman]

74. I agree it is a wonderful thought and compelling but not very rational.

[mahina]

19. Looking from outside in to another culture

Last edited Tue Jul 11, 2023, 05:34 AM - Edit history (2)

I’m guessing you’re talking about American Christianity? My Grandad said of the revivalists “ those people are a bunch of frauds baby”. Some of it baffles me too but I see and have experienced the beauty of Christianity and other faiths , a deep resonant joy, even love.

Its an unforgettable grace

I was raised Catholic and got expelled from catechism in the second grade for asking questions. (But WHY wont God love and welcome the pagan babies? He put them in those families. Nuns were- distressed with me. ) Became atheist in 5th grade. Started to really need some light for numerous reasons a number of decades later.

When I read about Christians who definitely do not follow Jesus‘s teachings, I can only guess that a good chunk is tribalism. Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs explains some of it in the need for belonging, and maybe self actualization, top of the pyramid, if very lucky

Certainly interesting that Gods and faith in them/it around the world and across eons seems so common. Nearly but not universal.
Native Americans. Hindus, Tibetans, ancient and contemporary Hawaiians. You may appreciate Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth, for a peek https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiYnNom7SVRMjsi2WSpIGBlo1UDhlXyvz. I haven’t revisited it in a while, now looking forward to it, thank you.
If you like him, check out The Hero With 1000 Faces.

In our society here in the middle of the Pacific, the Gods were overthrown prior to adoption of Christianity. from Aotearoa (New Zealand, Tuamotus, all across Polynesia a God existed that is some variation of Laka. Its a staggeringly vast area with many different languages.

So many important Gods, Kū , Kanaloa, Kāne, and Lono, but some (Laka) were everywhere.
Captain Cook wrote with astonishment at how this occurred. He didn’t understand that there’s great commonality in manylanguages, and deep cultural connection, all across the immense Pacific.

As the Grandma said in the wonderful movie The Great Match (La Grand Final) “ just another Day, pondering existence in bewilderment”

May we be kind

/that’s the best I can do with two thumbs typing
🤙🏼🤙🏼

[walkingman]

42. I could get that link to work but I found the series - thank you. Look forward to watching.

Yes, I think acceptance and kindness is the key to happiness, at least in my life. I have found that because I don't believe it has and continues to cause people, even my family, to think less of me. I could and sometimes think I should just pretend but that is hard to do. When I am talking to my friends and religion comes up....and it does come up out of the blue sometimes...I just have to be quiet and listen. It is something that I just can't understand....yet. But I am trying.

[walkingman]

73. Thank you - I need some time to check this out.

[Major Nikon]

24. I think it has to do with how the human brain works

The marriage of our analytical and creative cerebral hemispheres coupled with an innate curiosity tends to manufacturer answers to questions with or without evidence. Then you have the effectiveness of indoctrination at a young age on developing life long firmly held beliefs.

I suppose if you were a believer in hocus pocus you could imagine a supernatural creative force designing us that way, but evolutionary biology provides a more intellectual answer. Simply put it’s a by-product of our evolution.

[walkingman]

43. Makes sense. Just wonder why it never took for me in terms of organized religion.

In all honesty I need to take the time to re-read these posts and try to better understand what each person is saying better.

Thank you!!

[Major Nikon]

45. Possibly because you were exposed to alternative information at a young age

The greatest threat to organized religion is the application of critical thought which is why we see religion in decline in most areas of the world and does a lot to explain why religionists routinely burned "blasphemers" alive for most of the history of Christianity.

Still today we see people who would rather see any criticism of their superstitions stamped out, including right here on DU on a forum expressly purposed for such discussions. It makes one wonder how firmly held their beliefs are if they can't tolerate dissenting viewpoints.

[LakeArenal]

29. Atheist here:

Religion gives people something to hang onto. It comforts them when they are happy or sad. It’s a community. Just like any group. They find strength in God and from each other.

I would never discount anyone’s faith. Faith is a powerful thing. Sometimes I wish I had it.

[walkingman]

44. From what I've seen that makes perfect sense. It seems more like a social group than anything else

to me. It certainly doesn't appear to control behavior good or bad - that might be the goal but it doesn't seem to really work.

[walkingman]

51. I wear a T-shirt that says "Coexist" - you are actually living it! Sounds like a nice lifestyle.

[sanatanadharma]

31. One thought, Christianity does not equal religion

Christianity is religion, but not all religion is Christianity.

My definition of religion is "that which is before the "big bang'.

[walkingman]

52. I've always thought of it as the "Initial Singularity" but I understand what you are saying.

[MOMFUDSKI]

32. Complete lack of

confidence in themselves. Got to have a ‘daddy’ figure nearby. A god is their place to put blame when they fuck everything up. “It is god’s will” takes it off their shoulders.

[walkingman]

53. One thing that bothers me about that

is when referring to Climate Change being human caused some say it is God's will - that is what I call Climate Change Denial.

[LakeArenal]

50. I have another thought:

My employers all knew I didn’t believe as they do.

I have been asked “ How can I have a moral compass?”

If god didn’t create the universe “who” did?

So, you feel you can “sin” any time you want?


I have had employers ask me how I feel about spending eternity in hell.

So no one can tell me that atheists are the snide troll.

[walkingman]

54. See...that is just wrong it reminds me of one of my favorite quotes

"Without freedom from religion, there is no freedom of religion".

I think a person's religious belief is totally there decision and the workplace should not discriminate based on religious beliefs.

It is called "BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS".