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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Because most people, even highly educated ones, struggle with confronting the idea of death. Religion provides comforting stories that assuage those anxieties about our own mortality and the mortality of the ones we love.

For me, I find more comfort in the idea that there is no overarching meaning or plan or design than the thought that there is some megalomaniacal supernatural being demanding my worship or else I’ll be cast into hell.

But I understand needing the comfort of the stories. Life is hard and painful and completely unfair. It is also beautiful. [/quote]

OP here -- thanks.  This does somewhat explain how some intelligent people can be religious, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Even if people had our knowledge 2,000 years ago, maybe some of them still would have made up comforting stories and some of them would have believed the stories, just as they do today.[/quote]

OP,
Your comment above intrigues me (“… despite all evidence to the contrary.”)

Frankly, I have yet to see any evidence that proves God doesn’t exist. If it’s out there, point me to it and I’ll reevaluate. If you’re going to say “science,” then count me among the many scientifically- inclined people who don’t see the two as mutually exclusive.

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THere's no evidence out there to prove that leprechauns don't exist either, but I bet you don't believe in them.  I don't blame you.  Leprechauns are silly -- not like God, who gives you eternal life with him in heaven.[/quote]

I haven’t really put much thought into leprechauns, certainly not as much as I have God. I’m willing to entertain it for the sake of this discussion and because I like to be thorough…

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Yes, and you haven't given Leprechauns much thought with good reason - there's no evidence they are real.

That's the standard you apply to Leprechauns, and all other things - except one.  The one you were indoctrinated in, coincidentally.[/quote]

Actually, I wasn’t brought up in any church. I didn’t go to church until my 30s.

You assume I was indoctrinated because that’s easier for your argument… that I came to my faith in some easy, thoughtless way. Instead, I studied and read. I even read books disproving religion. (Again: I’m thorough.) 
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DP here.  And I bet you love telling people that you studied and read your way to being religious. Because you are so intelligent and thorough, you think it makes your case for god belief stronger.  Not in my opinion.  It just makes you more prone to delusion. And IMO, you were indoctrinated:  self-indoctrinated.[/quote]

+1 million. I was thinking the same thing, but couldn't put it into words like you did. Self indoctrination is the concept I was struggling with, but believing in something that has zero evidence, or that just makes you feel good, is never a good thing. 
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