Why do people continue to believe in god?

[Dystopia]

With all the available evidence, information, knowledge, why do people still have theistic beliefs, even when all their arguments are successfully countered and debunked? Why do people believe even after realizing there is no inductive or deductive evidence or proof that god exists? Is it merely wishful thinking?

[Mudhammam]

Lazy, comfortable, brainwashed, gullible, narcissistic, dishonest-- take your pick.

[FatAndFaithless]

Lazy, comfortable, brainwashed, gullible, narcissistic-- take your pick.

Well I think that a lot of people just haven't examined those beliefs as closely as they should, or simply haven't heard the arguments against them. Many religious communities are pretty insular, and combined with the natural impulse to believe what your parents tell you I think that leads to just a lack of critical thinking.

Hell, up until I was about 18 or 19 I would've called myself a Catholic and said I believed in God and Heaven and Hell just beause...that's what I was brought up with. I hadn't attended church in years and was never confirmed (I didn't want their stupid bread anyway!), but I just thought that belief in God was the 'default' or 'normal' position for a normal person. When I finally realized I didn't believe, I also realized I hadn't believed since I was like 8 years old, I just had never been impelled to think about it much.

I think most people are smarter than most people think. Sure there are going to be the few knots in the wood that won't ever budge, but from my experiences it's just a lack of exposure to dissenting ideas at a young enough age that is the biggest reason for the persistence of a God belief.

That being said, the internet is a wonderful example of what happens when you give unrestricted access to the youth!

[Mudhammam]

Fat, what you described sounds like a combination of lazy, comfortable, and brainwashed. In no way do those imply a person is an unintelligent. For an example of a stupid theist, I'd look at their apologists, the ones trying to justify God through science or philosophy. Also, I should add dishonest to the list because sometimes it's hard for me to believe that apologists really find their arguments persuasive.

[Whateverist]

Shhh .. don't spoil it for them.

[CindysRain]

I can't speak for all christians, but because I was one, and most of my family are religious as well, I can say that they live fairly sheltered lives. They associate with their relatives, and church families the most. They are taught to be separate from the world.

Most who get online, aren't coming to atheist forums, or researching the basis of their beliefs. They typically are drawn to more spiritual sites. So, it's not like they have been bombarded with information, and ignoring it.

Now the christians who do lurk here, and other atheist-related sites, might be searching for answers, like I was, or enjoy debating. Even if these are the christians, the OP is talking about, you have to understand that their thought process is tainted by years of brainwashing. Cognitive dissonance explains this very well.

Think of Neo in the beginning of the Matrix. You trust what you see, and what you've been taught to believe, and you cannot see past that. Some, like myself, eventually see through the facade.....but only because I began searching for answers.

[ignoramus]

Too many don't want to rock the boat. You won't make many friends in Islam otherwise.
I don't agree with their position but I can understand it.
You don't see too many first world fundies. They're too busy taking kids to soccer and ballet classes.

[TubbyTubby]

I can't speak for all christians, but because I was one, and most of my family are religious as well, I can say that they live fairly sheltered lives. They associate with their relatives, and church families the most. They are taught to be separate from the world.

Most who get online, aren't coming to atheist forums, or researching the basis of their beliefs. They typically are drawn to more spiritual sites. So, it's not like they have been bombarded with information, and ignoring it.

Now the christians who do lurk here, and other atheist-related sites, might be searching for answers, like I was, or enjoy debating. Even if these are the christians, the OP is talking about, you have to understand that their thought process is tainted by years of brainwashing. Cognitive dissonance explains this very well.

Think of Neo in the beginning of the Matrix. You trust what you see, and what you've been taught to believe, and you cannot see past that. Some, like myself, eventually see through the facade.....but only because I began searching for answers.

Occasionally I read words that give me some hope for our species, these are some of those.

[psychoslice]

Most people never really grow up, they use such things as religion as a sercurity blanket that gives them a sense of protection.

[Minimalist]

"Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."

--attributed to Napoleon I