Anonymous wrote:I have thought and thought about this. How can anyone believe religion is real? To me it is all superstition. I can understand why some people need it— it gives them community, structure, for some, morals and for others excuses to commit atrocities. But really, what separates idol worship from Jesus worship or monotheism? In my mind it is all a bunch of made up nonsense that is not grounded in reality. It’s crazy to think that highly intelligent people believe all this.

Not all religions have a deity.

Anonymous wrote:I have thought and thought about this. How can anyone believe religion is real? To me it is all superstition. I can understand why some people need it— it gives them community, structure, for some, morals and for others excuses to commit atrocities. But really, what separates idol worship from Jesus worship or monotheism? In my mind it is all a bunch of made up nonsense that is not grounded in reality. It’s crazy to think that highly intelligent people believe all this.

Smart, rational people do not start premises like this with “to me,” “I can understand,” etc

Smart, rational people know that there is a lot that they don’t know and just because they aren’t currently experiencing something at this given moment, does not mean it is not quite real.

Smart, rational people are that way because they are open to what they don’t know.

So you miss the boat there, OP

It is reasonable if you disagree. But if you think it's crazy to have any religious commitments, then you clearly lack understanding.

Why indeed does someone more intelligent than you have religious belief? And perhaps someone yet more intelligent than they are does not?

I know of two highly regarded quantum physicists in the same department. One is a committed Christian and the other is an atheist. Good friends with one another by all accounts. Both brilliant. I'm sure they don't each disparage the other as crazy.

Why DO atheists care so much what other people think.

OP thinks and thinks but the output is not there. Hilarious.

Anonymous wrote:I have thought and thought about this. How can anyone believe religion is real? To me it is all superstition. I can understand why some people need it— it gives them community, structure, for some, morals and for others excuses to commit atrocities. But really, what separates idol worship from Jesus worship or monotheism? In my mind it is all a bunch of made up nonsense that is not grounded in reality. It’s crazy to think that highly intelligent people believe all this.

Why does it bother you so much?

Anonymous wrote:I have thought and thought about this. How can anyone believe religion is real? To me it is all superstition. I can understand why some people need it— it gives them community, structure, for some, morals and for others excuses to commit atrocities. But really, what separates idol worship from Jesus worship or monotheism? In my mind it is all a bunch of made up nonsense that is not grounded in reality. It’s crazy to think that highly intelligent people believe all this.

Wow.

Also Buddhism isn't deistic. Rational people are practitioners.

I want to. For reasons noted above.

You've thought and thought and can't get to something easily understood and obvious to everyone else?

Yikes.

I agree with the PPs. It’s not rational. It’s about love and hope and faith. Believing in God makes my heart happy, and religious practice gives me a place to put that spirituality. As I told my very atheist dad - I’d rather be hopeful and wrong than not have hope and be right. It’s ok if it doesn’t feel the same to you.

Anonymous wrote:I have thought and thought about this. How can anyone believe religion is real? To me it is all superstition. I can understand why some people need it— it gives them community, structure, for some, morals and for others excuses to commit atrocities. But really, what separates idol worship from Jesus worship or monotheism? In my mind it is all a bunch of made up nonsense that is not grounded in reality. It’s crazy to think that highly intelligent people believe all this.

well i'm glad you came to the same realization i did after 13 years of catholic school

Religion is like love. The heart wants what the heart wants, it's not rational.

It's not about being rational. That's why it's called "faith."

I have thought and thought about this. How can anyone believe religion is real? To me it is all superstition. I can understand why some people need it— it gives them community, structure, for some, morals and for others excuses to commit atrocities. But really, what separates idol worship from Jesus worship or monotheism? In my mind it is all a bunch of made up nonsense that is not grounded in reality. It’s crazy to think that highly intelligent people believe all this.