Why is religion especially Christianity so widely practied?

[GrandizerII]

@OP:
Don't worry. There's a world out there in which Christianity never became much of a thing. We just don't happen to live in that world.

[tackattack]

A societal system using faith to give hope is very popular for counteracting hopelessness in societies, especially poor ones as Godzilla pointed out. There are also, probably plenty of other reasons such as a structured set of practices for day-to-day life is a was to systematically structure the chaotic world around you. Maybe, a societal group focused on reaching out to people in need is an outlet for feelings of compelling philanthropy. I'm certain there are plenty of others.

Where did I say "hopelessness" or "poor"?

I apologize sama, I mean purple not you

[Drich]

I understand that this may sound like a stupid question. However this is something I really never understand. Why do we give so much credence to a belief surrounding a single man? I have read accounts that the actual man Jesus Christ did exist. However, is "powers" or whatever were severely exaggerated. This question goes for Islam and Judaism as well. You know, the big three. And I do know these 3 do stem from each other. But why? Why are these so widely practiced?

one thing you must come to understand in all religions there is a promise and a force to carry out the promise.

Sometimes as with rome greece and Egypt society itself was able to power the religions.. bring in food money and valuables to the 'gods' the state provided protection relitive comfort and everything needed for civil life. however once the soceity falls so to does the religion. some modern examples of religioun based on soceity would be shintoism or even buddhism on a much larger idealism scale.

Then on a smaller scale religions center around people like David corresh or the guy who started jones town and everyone drank the koolaide and died.. however once those false prophets die so too does the religion. As the teach himself was able to power the religion through various tricks and people willing to follow.

Next you move up into religions that superseded society time and culture, as their power comes from nothing this world can produce/their promises are full filled outside man's ablity to fill them. despite what the people on this web site may think... people are not all stupid. In the case of islam personal pride, world domination and a place in paradice is what is promised. 2 out of 3 of those things can bee seen now today in this life. in that Islam via fighting packastand and afiganistand literally broke the USSR. one world power. then picked a fight with the mighty usa, and plunged it into a 20 year recession and war to which our best efforts is to fight out a stale mate. to them this is a win. because we are leaving and some form of islamic control is still in power. For them this is by the hand of God as how else could such poorly equipt defeat two of the most power and modern armies with 50 year old equipment.

Next you have Christianity. The promises is your sins will be forgiven if you forgive others and love God with all of your being. and as a token/proof God himself via the holy spirit has direct contact with you. Why is Christianity so widly believed and practiced? because God full fills his promises in this life and the next.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Yeah, Bich.

[The Grand Nudger]

Any religion can lay equal claim to "because the gods fulfill their promises in this life and the next".  I've never heard anything quite as vapid as that when it comes to describing a cultural phenomena.

[bennyboy]

I don't think the main reasons are spiritual, or about fear of death.

I think it's mainly about responsibility-- we are just smart enough to know how god-damned complex the world is, and work ourselves into a pretty major panic attack if we think about it too much. Religion gives you a proxy to carry that psychological weight for you. Basically, you are meant to get out of bed, go to work, make and raise your babies, and never forget to donate to the church-- you are not to sit around thinking too much about shit you can't control, anyway.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I don't think the main reasons are spiritual, or about fear of death.

I think it's mainly about responsibility-- we are just smart enough to know how god-damned complex the world is, and work ourselves into a pretty major panic attack if we think about it too much.  Religion gives you a proxy to carry that psychological weight for you.  Basically, you are meant to get out of bed, go to work, make and raise your babies, and never forget to donate to the church-- you are not to sit around thinking too much about shit you can't control, anyway.

That works for children.

[bennyboy]

I don't think the main reasons are spiritual, or about fear of death.

I think it's mainly about responsibility-- we are just smart enough to know how god-damned complex the world is, and work ourselves into a pretty major panic attack if we think about it too much.  Religion gives you a proxy to carry that psychological weight for you.  Basically, you are meant to get out of bed, go to work, make and raise your babies, and never forget to donate to the church-- you are not to sit around thinking too much about shit you can't control, anyway.

That works for children.

Relative to the realities of the Universe and even of our society, I'd say we're all children.

[Mechaghostman2]

I understand that this may sound like a stupid question. However this is something I really never understand. Why do we give so much credence to a belief surrounding a single man? I have read accounts that the actual man Jesus Christ did exist. However, is "powers" or whatever were severely exaggerated. This question goes for Islam and Judaism as well. You know, the big three. And I do know these 3 do stem from each other. But why? Why are these so widely practiced?

People like brainwashing their children at a young age, and they do the same, and they do the same, and so on and so fourth. Instead of teaching their children how to think for themselves, they just teach them what to think. What kind of thinking is right, and what kind of thinking is wrong. I'm glad I escaped it, but it wasn't easy. Stepping away from religion felt like a really bad breakup with someone I loved. There was a lot of guilt associated with it.

[Belacqua]

There is amazing beauty in Christianity, and in other religions.

Possibly in the art and music, if you live in a good place. But definitely in the concepts, expressions, and emotions.

I don't think it's at all dumb to be attracted to this beauty, even over and above more logical things. Especially in a life otherwise full of ugliness, of which there are so many in this world, opting for beauty is wise.