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submitted 4 months ago by return2ozma@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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[-] Ashyr@sh.itjust.works 51 points 4 months ago

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.

[-] core@lemmy.world 26 points 4 months ago

You find it personally beneficial, but you haven't actually answered the question.

[-] kellenoffdagrid@lemmy.sdf.org 19 points 4 months ago

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.

[-] kionite231@lemmy.ca 10 points 4 months ago

yup, religion has made me mentally stable so I guess it's beneficial to me at least.

[-] core@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

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.

[-] daddyjones@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

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.

[-] Mesa@programming.dev 2 points 4 months ago

Think of your closest friend or family member. Do you "believe in" them?

this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2024
332 points (100.0% liked)

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