Atheism

Why do people believe in gods/God?

Posted 2005 October 02 - filed under Atheism

I'm fond of pointing out, when asked if I believe in God, that I'm not superstitious. This invariably leads to a discussion concentrating on definitions and clear meanings. Sometimes, just asking someone "What do you mean by God?", is a first step for them. Another good step would be to take the Personal Beliefs Scale, which helps to clear up murky thinking.

Without sound evaluation – yes, a cognitive deficit model – I believe people are seduced to religion along a number of vectors. For a moment, consider each of these beliefs:

(1) there is no such thing, really, as death.

(2) my life has a meaning, and there is purpose to the universe.

(3) not only am i a good person, but i'm actually also better than you.

(4) if shit happens, it's not really my fault.

(5) it is possible to get something for nothing.

The more of these statements you buy into – and I'm sure there are others – the better the odds are that you also think that there's some supernatural entity or entities out there willing to suspend the laws of nature on behalf of "a single petitioner confessedly unworthy" (Ambrose Bierce's definition of prayer).

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Keywords: Atheism, origin of religion, psychology

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Words of wisdom: "In Switzerland, on a high mountain, not far from Lucerne, there is a lake they call Pilate's Pond, which the Devil has fixed upon as one of the chief residences of his evil spirits...." – Martin Luther, German leader of the Protestant Revolution.