Why do we "bend over backwards" to defend religion?

[removeduser_426582376423734]

I know I've done it enough. We do it to keep them from being abused, and its just imprinted in our conscience that its not nice to hurl abuse at religion, and so a lot of us defend it.

I used to defend Islam so much with such a passion, even though I'm not Muslim, can't stand Islam and, more recently, could even be seen as a person who just didn't like Muslims. It shook me that, after reading Dawkin's God Delusion, how much I used to "bend over backwards", as it were.

So, why do we do it? Do you do it? Did you?

[wilting]

Religion is our comfort mechanism, we defend it because without it the world is a scarier place.

It also has deep cultural associations, people feel an attack on it is an attack their whole way of life.

It can also be very personal, so people take an attack on it very personally.

Personally, I never really felt a need to defend it past childhood.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

So, why do we do it? Do you do it? Did you?

Because it's a nice thing to do? That and most of the people who attack religions are easy to hate and argue with.

[Ummagumma]

most of the people who attack religions are easy to hate and argue with.

I love you too...

[Ummon]

I propose there are four ways.

1) attack/defend religion as an excuse for your sins (I mean, if there was a God or universal mechanism which makes people who do wrong things pay, not defining what is wrong here, we would only be in trouble), trying to reassure yourself that you are on God's side or either God doesn't exist.

2) attack/defend religion because you honestly disagree/agree with it

3) attack/defend religion because it is fashionable in your group

4) attack/defend religion based on a deep understanding of the universe

Pick the group and assign frequencies to your satisfaction.

[Cúchulainn]

Religion is the human way of comforting themselves against the harshness of the world.
As mentioned earlier.

Religion, in particular the Abrahamic faiths are your parents deified as a spiritual entity.
Your parents watch and guide you during youth, and god watches over and guides you as a adult.

That's why it's so hard for people to realise the purpose of the "god" construct.
As it would mean defying your Masters.

And people like living in safety, even if it is a delusion

[Ummon]

An interesting explanation. I have excellent parents, you see, but I don't think I deified them. After all 5 years of psychoanalysis made me see them as perfectly human creatures, with their qualities, their faults.

As to the likely strong point of this argument, that in truth it is the "idealized version" of your parents which you worship, I would say that this not true either.

It is more like the fact that we know the world through our cathegories, which are originated based on our genetic inheritance and also, our experience and randomness.

This means that, by necessity, whatever we know is based on those elements, and all God-image is bound to be similar to a parent, just like all cup is similar to the first cup (or thing-reminding-of-a-cup) you saw, etc.

[Cúchulainn]

Ummon- Most people don't deify their parents, now.

But when the Abrahamic faiths where created.
You parents were your only source of guidance.

You form almost all of you core ideals and opinion as a child.
Which is why your parents are always authoritarian in your psyche.

And when that comfort barrier is broken, when your parents die....you are left on you own.
And humans are terrified of being alone.

So human created the ultimate parent, an immortal, omniscience, omnipotence being, or god.

Now in the modern age people don't deify their parents, they don't have to.
God has already be created for them.

But the core ideal is still there.

[Ummon]

When these faiths were first created, perhaps this is what made certain symbols coagulate on God. But what I am suggesting here is that, it is far more complicated than this.

Studying religions, you see that all religions say the same in slightly different fashions. One, many. One is many, many one. But the symbols are the same, their order is often the same in various patterns.

The message is infact strangely one. Regardless of culture and experience.

[Chaigidel]

actually I would contend the world is a much scarier place with the "mystical" realms offered by religion--- a much bigger place and how much bigger can you let it be before it just destroys your mind !!!:O


im sure that you simply feel you have "bent over backwards" because you havent really stood for anything before-- so you think a few words herre and there is "bending over backwards" for religion.-- ?

[christof139]

Beacause some people are contortionists and exhibitionists. Chris

[Primvs Sextvs Loverlord]

We bend over backwards because we're afraid.

[Richard]

Damn, what country do you live in? Over here it's normal to beat the **** out of religion until it's balls fall off =/

EDIT: unless you're religious.

I'm probably "spiritual" or something. Perhaps. But organised religion? Blergh.

[MasterAdnin]

No one is willing to surrender their beliefs so quickly and easily, which is why we argue to protect and defend our beliefs. People bend over backwards to prove Atheism, but it is not a religion. People will bend over backwards for any belief they have if they believe in it strongly.

Salaam,
Adnan

[Sétanta]

Why do people bend over backwards to attack something they don't understand (religion)?

Don't you hate it when people answer a question with a question.

[Valentin the II]

Why do people bend over backwards to attack something they don't understand (religion)?

Don't you hate it when people answer a question with a question.

Heh, the higher then thou trick.
You dinounce religion becaws you dont understand it.
Unlike us, blessed folk.

Most atheists were at some point religious/spiritual, they understand it full well, and thats exactly why they are atheists.

I propose there are four ways.

1) attack/defend religion as an excuse for your sins (I mean, if there was a God or universal mechanism which makes people who do wrong things pay, not defining what is wrong here, we would only be in trouble), trying to reassure yourself that you are on God's side or either God doesn't exist.

2) attack/defend religion because you honestly disagree/agree with it

3) attack/defend religion because it is fashionable in your group

4) attack/defend religion based on a deep understanding of the universe

Pick the group and assign frequencies to your satisfaction.

I bet most people believe they are in the 4th category.

[Kanaric]

Why do people bend over backwards to attack something they don't understand (religion)?

Don't you hate it when people answer a question with a question.

Only problem is that your question doesn't make sense.

It doesn't take an effort to bend over backwards to "attack" religion. However people will go WELL out of their way to defend and promote it, that much is true and unarguable.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Why do people bend over backwards to attack something they don't understand (religion)?

Don't you hate it when people answer a question with a question.

QFT

[Chaigidel]

most atheists thought spirituality and religion were something that would give them the instant gratification they are familiar with in the physical world.

yet the spirit moves in different ways; and more often then not the atheist simply did not receive what he or she felt entitled too while they were involved (selfishly) in the exploration of religion, faith and the spirit.

they lay blame upon the system that they say failed them; they blame others for what is wrong in the world; they seek a simple answer for why life is the way it is--- god didnt find my pencil or god didnt save my son or god didnt give money or god didnt let me win-- atheism is based on a perceived lack of action on gods part; so out of spite they seek to destroy any image of god they come into contact with; and even attempt to break down others faith so that they may join them on the endless gray plains.

it is like when a child throws a tantrum--- but it takes longer; they become blind with the anger they feel about what god did not do for them when they needed it most; never thinking once that the suffering and the horror are equally important to the glory of life; and the joy of living--- so frustrated at god that they lose all feeling of it ; so angry that god did not obey them

[Chaigidel]

not really kanaric---- prove to me that people go well out of their way to defend religion-- show me how that takes place?