What are the benefits of being religious?

bluefox said:Honestly, this whole "primitivism" thing is just... well, it's a trip. The people pushing it? They’re actually pretty damn good at what they do—super savvy about riding whatever the latest trend happens to be... so naturally, they cooked up this whole "subversive primitivism" angle. It’s clever, I'll give them that. Just when you think you've got a handle on things, boom—this ABS braking system of a concept slams into every single crack and crevice of society... totally catches you off guard... SJEK..

I’ll say it again: once other people start meddling with your personal character, you’ve become corrupted. That’s where things go south. Take this whole religious expansionism thing...

Faith is, in many ways, self-delusion. But does that make it inherently bad? Not necessarily. It shouldn't be about providing logical truths; it’s more about finding that spark of passion and strength you can draw from a figure on a cross—whoever that may be...

As an agnostic, the closest I get to faith is being a die-hard Yankees fan. Even when I know they’re likely to lose, I still believe they won't. It just makes those nine innings a little more entertaining.😁

I’ve honestly never quite wrapped my head around it... why these so-called "righteous descendants"—if you can even call those closeted religious types that—are constantly trying to force their way into every single natural progression of life...
If everyone is supposedly so "benevolent" and all about spreading "love and light" (and yeah, I’m talking about both the actual leeches in robes and their loyal followers)...well, I’ve always held this view, and I’m sticking to it: philosophy is great for the individual,
...but it’s absolutely terrible for society...just like religion is. You get this massive, hysterical fanaticism the second religious brains start syncing up into one single, mindless thought. It’s just pathetic, really... bah.

fadedbison17 said:Believers have this weird edge where they pretend they’ve got an answer for basically everything. While an atheist usually just shrugs and says "I don't know"—which actually leaves room to learn stuff—believers don't feel the need to do that... Not sure I'd call that a real advantage...

To keep that illusion going—that he’s actually in control—a believer basically has to... well, you know how it goes... knows... An atheist—since they’re lacking that "extra" insight you get from being a believer—just ends up making stuff up to fill the gaps... finding whatever facts or justifications they can pull out of thin air. It all just turns into excuses, like: "Oh, a believer..." knows... What happens after you kick the bucket—I mean, according to Him... knows... How to live... basically, a believer stays connected to... Wait, what was that? You're just dropping one word? I'm lost... anyway, what's up? Just sheer force—which basically means he can just ignore reality if he feels like it... etc.

I feel like needing faith is pretty much the same as needing philosophy—it’s just that human drive to find a solid system of morals and values to live by while navigating society...
Why does faith stay so bulletproof against the test of time? Honestly—it’s because people who believe just... don't let themselves think too hard about it. It's way easier to just grab a pre-packaged solution, even if it’s thousands of years old and totally out of touch with how things actually work today. Instead of leveling up their lives to fit the modern world, they end up dragging their entire lifestyle backward just to make sure it fits the mold of their religion... turns out that's a lot less work.

What are the perks of being a believer compared to an atheist? A more developed imagination—though I wouldn't exactly call that a "perk" when it comes to actually improving your quality of life...

Sure, some things lack logic or practical utility, but take prayer, for instance...

People who pray to a deity—genuinely believing help is coming—tend to carry themselves with more self-assurance. That boost gives them a better shot at whatever they're aiming for. The word confidence actually stems from having "faith" (correct me if I'm wrong on that etymology). They're less likely to throw in the towel when things get rough.
Plus, there's a certain merit to the habit of giving thanks for what you have; it forces a focus on the positives.

Edward Flores4 said:Look, I’m not denying that faith in Bog can offer some serious psychological perks to someone who truly believes—it really can. But just because it provides a mental cushion doesn't mean it offers any other kind of tangible benefit. At best, it just makes those incredibly heavy, soul-crushing situations a little easier to stomach.

A perfect example comes to mind—there was this guy in the States who was convicted of murder (I think he actually got life) and sat there for years. Once DNA testing finally became a standard scientific tool, his lawyers pushed for a new forensic analysis, knowing deep down he was innocent. Since they had preserved the samples, it turned out he really hadn't done it at all. After spending decades behind bars for a crime he didn't commit, he was finally set free. When he walked out, he sat down for a newspaper interview and basically said, "I thank Bog, I knew He wouldn't let this happen..." It’s pretty ironic, isn't it? Science is what actually pulled him out of that cell, yet he gives all the credit to Bog. One scientist actually commented on the whole thing, saying that if he were in that man's shoes, he probably would have ended it all rather than waiting around for science to eventually save him. I suppose that specific brand of faith is exactly what gave him the strength to endure such a nightmare.

In his case, science essentially stepped in to back up Bog, so maybe his faith paid off in a way. But for so many others, that faith never yields a result, even when they spend their entire lives believing.

By the way, there’s this fantastic convention that’s been running for two years now, and you can actually watch the full program online—it's packed with lectures from some really eminent scientists. The whole event focuses on the role of faith within society. There are some genuinely diverse and fascinating perspectives in there, and honestly, some of the scientists are more narrow-minded than the most hardcore believers. I highly recommend checking out both years:

year one
http://thesciencenetwork.org/BeyondBelief/watch/

year two
http://thesciencenetwork.org/BeyondBelief2/watch/

If someone thinks they're happy, then they are. Happiness is a subjective category, and to me, it’s pretty vital.
What I'm actually trying to do is find a substitute for the mechanisms that religion provides. Roba mentioned optimism as one component of that.

A perfect example would be a guy in the States who was convicted of murder—I think it was even life without parole—and years later, once science had developed DNA profiling, his lawyers requested new testing knowing he was innocent. Since the samples were preserved, it turned out he really wasn't guilty, and they freed him after he'd spent decades behind bars for something he didn't do. When he got out, he gave an interview to the press and said, "I thank God, I knew He wouldn't allow this..." It's ironic. Science sets him free, yet he gives the credit to God. One scientist commented on it, saying he'd rather kill himself than wait for science to bail him out. Only that specific brand of faith can force a man to endure something like that.

I don't see the irony. In his mind, God is the one who facilitated everything—including scientific progress.

In his case, science stepped in to assist God. Maybe for him, the belief paid off, but for many others, it never does, despite believing their entire lives.

Maybe it just makes life easier for them.

wiredmaker18 said:I wouldn't call them benefits. It’s more like taking the path of least resistance and tricking yourself into believing there's some almighty force watching over everything from out of nowhere. It basically provides a built-in consolation prize for our mortality, killing off one of humanity's oldest terrors: the fear of death. If you believe hard enough that Heaven is waiting for you—provided you follow the exact, rigid rules laid out by your belief system—everything is settled. There's no room for error, and even if you mess up, there's always confession. Just classic religious demagoguery... they essentially invented a reset button for every mistake you make. Seriously. And get this: if you spent your whole life doing unspeakable things but "sincerely" repent on your deathbed (whatever that even means in this context), it's all wiped clean. Like an eraser. You die in white instead of black. I guess faith is the perfect sanctuary for people who lack the guts or the confidence to actually question the system, let alone shake its foundations and flip the whole thing on its head...
Regarding the idea that faith is everywhere, it’s pretty simple: humans are fundamentally the same regardless of where they are, and we struggle with the same existential questions. So, it stands to reason that our ways of explaining the inexplicable would be similar. Blindly following a doctrine is the easy way out. On the other hand, questioning why we believe what we do—and understanding the cause-and-effect links between belief and cultural, social, psychological, or political shifts—is what keeps your mind sharp and aware of how society actually functions. There's also the matter of perspective. Analyzing how beliefs manipulate the masses gives you the necessary distance to view events within the broader context of geopolitics and current affairs. Without that detachment, it's nearly impossible to stay unbiased and think for yourself. There’s a neat analogy in fractal geometry where a tiny fragment of rock shares the same structure as the entire mountain. It’s easy to conclude that the dynamics playing out among three friends grabbing coffee are fundamentally the same as those governing a city, a nation, or humanity itself. They're all driven by people, and people are driven by the same basic motives, just scaled up and made much more complex. It’s not always that clean-cut, but that's the core of it...

I don't see any harm in eliminating that fear—it's just that I haven't seen a single religion actually succeed at it for the masses.

Regarding the idea that faith is universal—it’s simple enough. Human beings are fundamentally the same regardless of where they are on the map, plagued by the same existential dilemmas. It stands to reason that our attempts to explain the unexplainable would follow similar patterns.

Agreed.

placidranger said:If someone thinks they're happy, then they are. Happiness is a subjective category, and to me, it’s pretty vital.
What I'm actually trying to do is find a substitute for the mechanisms that religion provides. Roba mentioned optimism as one component of that.

A perfect example would be a guy in the States who was convicted of murder—I think it was even life without parole—and years later, once science had developed DNA profiling, his lawyers requested new testing knowing he was innocent. Since the samples were preserved, it turned out he really wasn't guilty, and they freed him after he'd spent decades behind bars for something he didn't do. When he got out, he gave an interview to the press and said, "I thank God, I knew He wouldn't allow this..." It's ironic. Science sets him free, yet he gives the credit to God. One scientist commented on it, saying he'd rather kill himself than wait for science to bail him out. Only that specific brand of faith can force a man to endure something like that.

I don't see the irony. In his mind, God is the one who facilitated everything—including scientific progress.

In his case, science stepped in to assist God. Maybe for him, the belief paid off, but for many others, it never does, despite believing their entire lives.

Maybe it just makes life easier for them.

Blessed are the poor in spirit—theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Maybe look into how Christianity actually started; you might find answers to most of your questions there.😍

I guess everyone believes in something at some point—either God or themselves🙂. You probably can't even survive in this world without some kind of faith to hold onto.

Nancy Adams79 said:You hit the nail on the head.
I used to think it was just subconscious, but more and more religious people tell me exactly that—they believe simply because it's easier, and they don't even bother looking at how messy things are from a rational perspective.
I'm an extreme optimist, so I guess I don't need that crutch. 🙂🙂

I'm an optimist too, though I swapped faith in God for faith in myself. It feels like, at the core, there's just this ancient, wise God acting as a construct we use to communicate with our own subconscious.
It's easy to stay religious when a prayer actually works once or twice.

hiddenhawk3 said:Blessed are the poor in spirit—theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Maybe look into how Christianity actually started; you might find answers to most of your questions there.😍

I guess everyone believes in something at some point—either God or themselves🙂. You probably can't even survive in this world without some kind of faith to hold onto.

Yeah. It's the same story.
Faith is just a fancy word for prediction. Something happens a couple of times—you see the pattern—and then we decide to "believe" it’s going to happen again. It's all just a guess based on repetition.

placidranger said:I'm an optimist too, though I swapped faith in God for faith in myself. It feels like, at the core, there's just this ancient, wise God acting as a construct we use to communicate with our own subconscious.
It's easy to stay religious when a prayer actually works once or twice.

That’s probably just a self-fulfilling prophecy.
"You pray for something and believe it," so you work harder to make it happen. 😍That works fine while things are going your way and your confidence is high, but if you don't believe in God or anything bigger than yourself, you might fail. Then you lose faith in yourself, your ego takes a hit, and you stop trying because you've subconsciously convinced yourself it's impossible.

placidranger said:If someone thinks they're happy, then they are. Happiness is a subjective category, and to me, it’s pretty vital.
What I'm actually trying to do is find a substitute for the mechanisms that religion provides. Roba mentioned optimism as one component of that.

A perfect example would be a guy in the States who was convicted of murder—I think it was even life without parole—and years later, once science had developed DNA profiling, his lawyers requested new testing knowing he was innocent. Since the samples were preserved, it turned out he really wasn't guilty, and they freed him after he'd spent decades behind bars for something he didn't do. When he got out, he gave an interview to the press and said, "I thank God, I knew He wouldn't allow this..." It's ironic. Science sets him free, yet he gives the credit to God. One scientist commented on it, saying he'd rather kill himself than wait for science to bail him out. Only that specific brand of faith can force a man to endure something like that.

I don't see the irony. In his mind, God is the one who facilitated everything—including scientific progress.

In his case, science stepped in to assist God. Maybe for him, the belief paid off, but for many others, it never does, despite believing their entire lives.

Maybe it just makes life easier for them.

Good luck with that. If you want to find a true replacement, it has to have "something" in it—some kind of mechanism that takes the weight of responsibility for all human actions, allowing people to act on their whims while still having the option for an occasional confession. That way, they can go out and mess things up for others, then turn around and ask God for forgiveness. Honestly, even finding one single mechanism like that feels like a stretch, but hey, that's just my two cents... take it or leave it.

placidranger said:If someone thinks they're happy, then they are. Happiness is a subjective category, and to me, it’s pretty vital.
What I'm actually trying to do is find a substitute for the mechanisms that religion provides. Roba mentioned optimism as one component of that.

A perfect example would be a guy in the States who was convicted of murder—I think it was even life without parole—and years later, once science had developed DNA profiling, his lawyers requested new testing knowing he was innocent. Since the samples were preserved, it turned out he really wasn't guilty, and they freed him after he'd spent decades behind bars for something he didn't do. When he got out, he gave an interview to the press and said, "I thank God, I knew He wouldn't allow this..." It's ironic. Science sets him free, yet he gives the credit to God. One scientist commented on it, saying he'd rather kill himself than wait for science to bail him out. Only that specific brand of faith can force a man to endure something like that.

I don't see the irony. In his mind, God is the one who facilitated everything—including scientific progress.

In his case, science stepped in to assist God. Maybe for him, the belief paid off, but for many others, it never does, despite believing their entire lives.

Maybe it just makes life easier for them.

Irony isn't some tangible "ingredient" you can point to... it’s all about perspective, or more specifically, how he sees things in his own head.

placidranger said:If someone thinks they're happy, then they are. Happiness is a subjective category, and to me, it’s pretty vital.
What I'm actually trying to do is find a substitute for the mechanisms that religion provides. Roba mentioned optimism as one component of that.

A perfect example would be a guy in the States who was convicted of murder—I think it was even life without parole—and years later, once science had developed DNA profiling, his lawyers requested new testing knowing he was innocent. Since the samples were preserved, it turned out he really wasn't guilty, and they freed him after he'd spent decades behind bars for something he didn't do. When he got out, he gave an interview to the press and said, "I thank God, I knew He wouldn't allow this..." It's ironic. Science sets him free, yet he gives the credit to God. One scientist commented on it, saying he'd rather kill himself than wait for science to bail him out. Only that specific brand of faith can force a man to endure something like that.

I don't see the irony. In his mind, God is the one who facilitated everything—including scientific progress.

In his case, science stepped in to assist God. Maybe for him, the belief paid off, but for many others, it never does, despite believing their entire lives.

Maybe it just makes life easier for them.

It’s a shame nobody can live two parallel lives at once—that would be the only way to figure out if things actually *are* easier for them because of their faith, or if it's just an illusion.

hiddenhawk3 said:That’s probably just a self-fulfilling prophecy.
"You pray for something and believe it," so you work harder to make it happen. 😍That works fine while things are going your way and your confidence is high, but if you don't believe in God or anything bigger than yourself, you might fail. Then you lose faith in yourself, your ego takes a hit, and you stop trying because you've subconsciously convinced yourself it's impossible.

Exactly. That's the main point.

Edward Flores4 said:Good luck with that. If you want to find a true replacement, it has to have "something" in it—some kind of mechanism that takes the weight of responsibility for all human actions, allowing people to act on their whims while still having the option for an occasional confession. That way, they can go out and mess things up for others, then turn around and ask God for forgiveness. Honestly, even finding one single mechanism like that feels like a stretch, but hey, that's just my two cents... take it or leave it.

Irony isn't some tangible "ingredient" you can point to... it’s all about perspective, or more specifically, how he sees things in his own head.

It’s a shame nobody can live two parallel lives at once—that would be the only way to figure out if things actually *are* easier for them because of their faith, or if it's just an illusion.

I'm talking about specific mechanisms that actually improve quality of life—like giving thanks to a higher power. I don't see an equivalent for an atheist. What then? Giving thanks to yourself?

It's a shame nobody can live two parallel lives to figure out if things would truly be easier without faith.

What about converts?
What drives them to cling so tightly to their newfound faith? You see it with addicts in rehab centers finding "Jesus," or even just regular folks who suddenly embrace religion after a car wreck or some other trauma.

Edward Flores4 said:Good luck with that. If you want to find a true replacement, it has to have "something" in it—some kind of mechanism that takes the weight of responsibility for all human actions, allowing people to act on their whims while still having the option for an occasional confession. That way, they can go out and mess things up for others, then turn around and ask God for forgiveness. Honestly, even finding one single mechanism like that feels like a stretch, but hey, that's just my two cents... take it or leave it.

Irony isn't some tangible "ingredient" you can point to... it’s all about perspective, or more specifically, how he sees things in his own head.

It’s a shame nobody can live two parallel lives at once—that would be the only way to figure out if things actually *are* easier for them because of their faith, or if it's just an illusion.

Religion is an institution, and as one, it doesn't break your chains—it just adds more. I don't think you can ever have total freedom in any society. You mostly just get the illusion that anything is possible, when it really isn't.

placidranger said:I'm talking about specific mechanisms that actually improve quality of life—like giving thanks to a higher power. I don't see an equivalent for an atheist. What then? Giving thanks to yourself?

It's a shame nobody can live two parallel lives to figure out if things would truly be easier without faith.

What about converts?
What drives them to cling so tightly to their newfound faith? You see it with addicts in rehab centers finding "Jesus," or even just regular folks who suddenly embrace religion after a car wreck or some other trauma.

Fear. Just fear of being weak and sliding back into old habits.😍
Faith gives them hope—it’s a crutch, really. It gives them the feeling that someone is looking out for them, which is what they need since these types tend to be more unstable and prone to escapism. "Faith" is basically just another way to run away from reality.🤷

placidranger said:I'm talking about specific mechanisms that actually improve quality of life—like giving thanks to a higher power. I don't see an equivalent for an atheist. What then? Giving thanks to yourself?

It's a shame nobody can live two parallel lives to figure out if things would truly be easier without faith.

What about converts?
What drives them to cling so tightly to their newfound faith? You see it with addicts in rehab centers finding "Jesus," or even just regular folks who suddenly embrace religion after a car wreck or some other trauma.

Just for a change of pace, I’ve been thinking about this—and honestly, it’s a bit of a heavy one. When you start placing yourself beneath some higher power, you’re essentially setting yourself up on a fast track to devaluing your own worth. It’s like when you see those rigid corporate hierarchies at places like Goldman Sachs or big tech giants—once that ladder is established, people just default to "command and control" mode. They basically switch off their brains and go into this mindless autopilot, where every single decision they make is filtered through nothing but their own self-interest. It’s incredibly short-sighted, too. I mean, let’s be real—it is notoriously difficult to find any sense of genuine happiness when you’re stuck in a toxic, hyper-competitive environment like that. But here's the kicker: once you label that entire situation as "God's will," suddenly making a logical conclusion becomes almost impossible. People just stop questioning things, even when the math doesn't add up.

placidranger said:I'm talking about specific mechanisms that actually improve quality of life—like giving thanks to a higher power. I don't see an equivalent for an atheist. What then? Giving thanks to yourself?

It's a shame nobody can live two parallel lives to figure out if things would truly be easier without faith.

What about converts?
What drives them to cling so tightly to their newfound faith? You see it with addicts in rehab centers finding "Jesus," or even just regular folks who suddenly embrace religion after a car wreck or some other trauma.

It’s a classic pattern, really—people get rejected by one social circle and end up hunting for a new one that isn't quite as judgmental. They aren't necessarily looking for truth; they're just looking for a place where the entry fee is simply agreeing with the group's core ideology. It’s almost like joining a gated community where the only requirement for residency is nodding along to everything the HOA says. And here’s the funny thing about these echo chambers: the more radical the ideology becomes, the less critical thinking actually happens among the followers. It all turns into this feedback loop of constant affirmation. There’s no pushback, no "hey, maybe we should look at this differently?"—just total consensus. The real kicker, though, is the gap between performance and conviction. Saying you believe something is one thing—it's easy to play the part to fit in—but actually holding that belief in your gut is an entirely different animal. Of course, there’s that middle ground where people convince themselves they truly believe it just to survive socially, but honestly? In this context, that distinction doesn't even matter. At the end of the day, the result is exactly the same.

hiddenhawk3 said:Religion is an institution, and as one, it doesn't break your chains—it just adds more. I don't think you can ever have total freedom in any society. You mostly just get the illusion that anything is possible, when it really isn't.

My point is specifically about how they encourage irresponsibility through those "double bind" demands churches throw at you—it's designed to force people into this impossible tug-of-war where you're guaranteed to feel guilty no matter what you choose. It’s a tactic to keep people quiet and compliant in the pews and out on the streets, but once the mask slips, they end up being even worse than they were before the sermon ended.

placidranger said:I'm an optimist too, though I swapped faith in God for faith in myself. It feels like, at the core, there's just this ancient, wise God acting as a construct we use to communicate with our own subconscious.
It's easy to stay religious when a prayer actually works once or twice.

That's what Praying Mantis said. 🙂
I don't know, some people just don't need any of that to find happiness.
Plus, it really comes to the forefront during the final days of life. It's much easier to believe that your existence was just one part of a massive... whole. For us atheists, we see it as the end, and you have to prepare for that, come to terms with it, and deal with all that—which is hard enough as it is. 🤷

Edward Flores4 said:Just for a change of pace, I’ve been thinking about this—and honestly, it’s a bit of a heavy one. When you start placing yourself beneath some higher power, you’re essentially setting yourself up on a fast track to devaluing your own worth. It’s like when you see those rigid corporate hierarchies at places like Goldman Sachs or big tech giants—once that ladder is established, people just default to "command and control" mode. They basically switch off their brains and go into this mindless autopilot, where every single decision they make is filtered through nothing but their own self-interest. It’s incredibly short-sighted, too. I mean, let’s be real—it is notoriously difficult to find any sense of genuine happiness when you’re stuck in a toxic, hyper-competitive environment like that. But here's the kicker: once you label that entire situation as "God's will," suddenly making a logical conclusion becomes almost impossible. People just stop questioning things, even when the math doesn't add up.

It’s a classic pattern, really—people get rejected by one social circle and end up hunting for a new one that isn't quite as judgmental. They aren't necessarily looking for truth; they're just looking for a place where the entry fee is simply agreeing with the group's core ideology. It’s almost like joining a gated community where the only requirement for residency is nodding along to everything the HOA says. And here’s the funny thing about these echo chambers: the more radical the ideology becomes, the less critical thinking actually happens among the followers. It all turns into this feedback loop of constant affirmation. There’s no pushback, no "hey, maybe we should look at this differently?"—just total consensus. The real kicker, though, is the gap between performance and conviction. Saying you believe something is one thing—it's easy to play the part to fit in—but actually holding that belief in your gut is an entirely different animal. Of course, there’s that middle ground where people convince themselves they truly believe it just to survive socially, but honestly? In this context, that distinction doesn't even matter. At the end of the day, the result is exactly the same.

Fine, but if we're aiming for that same psychological impact—some kind of amor fati—it’s unlikely we’ll get there just by "being grateful to ourselves."
Quincy:

People rejected by one circle will hunt for a less critical one, accepting whatever ideology is required just to secure a sense of belonging. Generally, the more radical the ideology, the less scrutiny exists among its followers. Sadly, claiming to believe something and actually believing it are two entirely different things. There are also those who merely convince themselves they believe—but that's beside the point here.

The fear of being an outcast is definitely a factor, I'll give you that. But there's something else at play. Some claim they found a new purpose through faith—a reason to wake up and keep grinding. It would be interesting to see if we could replicate that sense of purpose without dragging religion into it.

Nancy Adams79 said:That's what Praying Mantis said. 🙂
I don't know, some people just don't need any of that to find happiness.
Plus, it really comes to the forefront during the final days of life. It's much easier to believe that your existence was just one part of a massive... whole. For us atheists, we see it as the end, and you have to prepare for that, come to terms with it, and deal with all that—which is hard enough as it is. 🤷

By that logic, every atheist would struggle to face death, which simply isn't the case. I read somewhere that people who feel they've "fulfilled their purpose"—meaning they actually did what they set out to do—don't fear death, regardless of whether they believe in an afterlife.

I honestly don't get how some of you can claim that faith isn't just a byproduct of a lack of critical thinking.
Couldn't we just as easily argue the exact opposite, right?

And I really don't understand this constant urge to philosophize about believers, acting like they're all just being manipulated... or aren't particularly bright...
Besides, it feels pretty strange how almost everyone here shares this same philosophy driven purely by logic, yet you're still trying to force faith—which is inherently illogical—into those same rigid little boxes.