Theists, What Do You Get Out of Religion?

[Nope]

The title of the thread is the question I would like answered but with one slight caveat. Could theists not respond with anything about the afterlife? I want to know what theists get out of having faith right now. If I need to explain the question further, I will.

[Jenny A]

This should be interesting. Frankly, given the absence of evidence for god, it's the only reason anyone might have faith that I can think of.

[Tonus]

The question seems a bit oddly phrased. When I was religious I never saw it as getting something out of it, even though there was a very clear reward to be had (no punishment, JWs believe that you cease to exist upon death). We were taught that you served god because he is god and deserves your worship, and to do so for the reward was selfish. Serving god ostensibly came with its own set of rewards, since we believed that follow god's laws would lead to a better and happier life (and if it didn't, there were explanations for that, too). But that was all just gravy, you did it because you were supposed to.

It's strange to look at it from the other side. Without the main presupposition (god exists) it all seems so crazy now.

[Silver]

Theists want to feel spechul, and an imaginary friend provides them with that.

[Nope]

I was hoping that someone religious would respond.

Sionnach, is probably correct. Believing that some higher power wants an individual's ultimate good is probably reassuring to a lot of theists.

Maybe some of the theists don't know what they get out of religion so are uncertain how to answer the question?

[Neo-Scholastic]

The classical god of Western theism grounds meaning (the sign/signified relationship), purpose (final cause), and identity (formal cause) in a theory of reason applied to common experience. I have yet to see a convincing way to deal with meaning within the framework of ontological naturalism. The idea that anyone can “create his or her own meaning and purpose” is a hollow approach unless the problems of meaning, purpose and identity are adequately addressed.

[professor]

Here is the deal Nope, I really don't consider myself to be religious at all.
No list of do's, no connection to hocus pocus found in some circles.

So I will make you a deal.
You agree that evolution and naturalism is a religion (which to myself and many other observers see it is in reality),
and I will respond to your question. Kind verses kind.

[FatAndFaithless]

no connection to hocus pocus

Prof, you're a real standup comedian.

[Nope]

Here is the deal Nope, I really don't consider myself to be religious at all.
No list of do's, no connection to hocus pocus found in some circles.

So I will make you a deal.
You agree that evolution and naturalism is a religion (which to myself and many other observers see it is in reality),
and I will respond to your question. Kind verses kind.

First explain what evolution has to do with the question that I asked. Hint...it has nothing to do with it, at all.

So, what do you get out of having faith beyond assurances that you will go to heaven? Why does this question deserve a dodge?

[Mister Agenda]

Here is the deal Nope, I really don't consider myself to be religious at all.
No list of do's, no connection to hocus pocus found in some circles.

So I will make you a deal.
You agree that evolution and naturalism is a religion (which to myself and many other observers see it is in reality),
and I will respond to your question. Kind verses kind.

Funny, Nope didn't ask any theists to assent to something they don't actually believe, he just asked a fairly simple question. I see you're maintaining your usual level of intellectual honesty.

Don't worry, I'm not a theist anymore so I'll answer the question honestly for you. I remember what a handicap it was to give a straight answer to a simple question when I was a Pentecostal, but I'm much better now.