The Inherent Human Need To Believe In Something...

[joko]

some people cite the fact that, all over the planet, for thousands of years humans have believed in gods of some sort - as a kind of proof that gods must exist - if so many people believe it.

but actually i think this argument really just proves the opposite.

it proves humans inherent need to feel there is a higher purpose.
it shows its in our NATURE to search for more and to invent it if necessary.

all these gods take so many different forms and have many different ways, ways that suit the paticular society.
they also note the really remote tribes who have no outside contact who also know about god etc.
but each one totally believes that theirs is the one true god - so doesn't that show how it all MUST just be all in our minds?

if there was only one true god - wouldn't all these remote tribes all be worshiping the same one?
wouldn't the 'real' god, make sure they knew about him?

if all these other gods are false idols - why wouldn't 'god' try to correct them? why would he just let them blindly believe a fake one?

it cannot be the old chestnut of freewill - because that can only work when someone knows the 'truth' yet chooses the wrong path - so what about people who don't even know a path exists in the first place?

how can god expect people to follow him, if he does not make himself known to them...?

[mikey4444]

The reason that all these gods were invented in the first place is mainly because everybody was ignorant and illiterate.

Nowadays, we have universal education, at least in the Western world, hence the poor take up of organised religions these days.

Life is hard enough as it is without inventing new ways to scare yourself !

[modeller]

This theme has been covered many times including today.
in goodalls :
#Explain In Detail How, Using The Scientific Method, One Would Prove/ Disprove The Existence Of God?#

[RATTER15]

Like fender62 said up there^^^^^^

[ludwig]

We don't have an inherent need to believe in something. We have an inherent need to explain everything. Religion was the method we had of doing this before science was invented.

Religion still exists alongside science because science still can't explain everything.

[birdie1971]

In the past, gods were invented by humans to explain the things they couldn't understand. Now we understand a great deal about our world and ourselves and god(s) reside only in those gaps in scientific knowledge where science can't give definitive answers.

The 'god of the gaps' is what people now cling to.

[wildwood]

When you consider that grasping for life's explanations, aka religions, have been around for thousands of years and the acceptance of Evolution barely 160 years, it is not surprising that many still cling to their cuddly blankies of imaginary gods.

[cassa333]

Since the dawn of time man, in his many stages, has looked around himself and wondered "Sugar, is this it?" and when he realised that this is indeed it decided that he would be much happier believing his ***, hard and pointless life was worth more. So found a way to keep himself happy by believing there was something better waiting for him. Even if that took his whole life to get to.
Therefore a better, esier life was waiting after this one.

[keyplus90]

/////it proves humans inherent need to feel there is a higher purpose.
it shows its in our NATURE to search for more and to invent it if necessary.////

So you do not have human nature then.

[joko]

oh keyplus - only you could get that conclusion from whats been said ...

please don't try to read nonsense into what i have said

[RATTER15]

Its ok, Joko, its only Keyplus that will have difficulty with what you said, that is due to his very closed mind.

[atalanta]

If there were a creator, s/he gave us brains and the means of using them, ie thinking. Reasoning, using logic and common sense, demanding proofs - these are all exactly the things which human brains have developed to do, but which religion forbids its followers to do.
The human brain, given education, the chance to read philosophy, history and logic, and the opportunity to study and compare ideas, is perfectly capable of coming to the conclusion that everything which has happened in evolution would have happened anyway, and did not require any creator in the first place

[goodlife]

//if there was only one true god - wouldn't all these remote tribes all be worshiping the same one// No.

//wouldn't the 'real' god, make sure they knew about him?// Yes.


But some people can never see the point. Jesus did not want his followers to parrot his words, or recite them. Indeed, he had just discouraged this practice. (Matthew 6:6-7) Rather, his prayer is a lesson in priorities—what is important in God’s eyes, not in ours.
You can see from the beginning of human history, God’s sacred name has been smeared with lies. Satan, has called Jehovah a lying, selfish Ruler who has no real right to govern His creations. (Genesis 3:1-6) Many have sided with Satan, teaching that God is cold, cruel, and vindictive or denying that He is the Creator at all. Others have even attacked his name itself, removing the name Jehovah from Bible translations and forbidding the use of it.


//how can god expect people to follow him, if he does not make himself known to them...?//

It would be good to reflect on those whom Jehovah drew and knew favorably. Abraham and Moses were imperfect and had flaws, as you do. Yet, they were known by Jehovah as ones belonging to him. (Exodus 33:12, 13) Then look at Korah’s example, (Num. 16:31-35) It illustrates to ask one self, How does Jehovah see me? What can I learn from these Bible examples?
Or one site you can look at and see the different

http://news.discovery/human/life/athest-church-set-to-go

[naomi24]

Goodlife, did you read any of the other articles on that website? Interesting.

[Khandro]

Why do you spend so much of your time and energy talking about God, when you don't believe in such an existence? Is it because you think you are smarter than others who think differently, or are you so insecure within yourself that you seek approbation and the need to score points from your like-minded cohorts in public?

[naomi24]

Khandro, who is that ^^ intended for? If you're talking to someone in particular it helps to add a name.

[joko]

if you mean me, lol, i don't believe in the tooth fairy or santa either - doesn't stop me mentioning them.

there is no prerequisite that i have to believe in somethings if i wish to discuss it... i am not breaking any rules here.

and as for arguing the toss with strangers on a forum - oh yes it makes my life complete, lol.


why do you feel the need to follow me round the site spouting clap trap at me ?
are you stalking me?

is it because you know you have made a fool of yourself and can't handle it and are now seeking to try to b1tch your way out of it?

or is it the fact that 99% of people agree that god does NOT exist - and you just cant stand it so are one a little one man crusade?

haha,... wont work.

[doctordb]

I agree with Ludwig that we don't have the inherent need to believe. If that were the case then wouldn't it mean that ,as an atheist, i am constantly having to struggle against that inherent need?

[jim360]

"99% of people" is a made-up statistic. Quite apart from the fact that there are over a billion catholics, there must be a similar number of other Christians, about half a billion muslims, very many Hindus and Buddhists and Sikhs and Jews, and goodness knows how many other minor religions.

No-one actually knows how many atheists there are as quite a few people lie about it one way or the other, but the most recent figures I can find suggest that there are about 10% of people in the US, and maybe 35% in the UK. at any rate no-where near 99%.

[naomi24]

I agree Jim. There is no way that 99% of people are non-believers. If only!