cricket

People look for evidence to confirm their superstitious beliefs, and if they want it they'll find it - or concoct it. Their subconscious will find ways to confirm their philosophy and reaffirm the things they "know."

People believe in god because it works for them. And people do what works.

This is true even for those who are persecuted or who die for their beliefs. It is true of suicide bombers; it is true of Christians fed to lions.

Picture a Christian, in chains, listening to the lions’ roars and wondering if he would be next. He’s shaking, sweating, and – praying. He does not question his faith; the belief system was “part of him” long before his capture by the Romans.

<hears another *roar*>

What the hell was he thinking when he chose this belief?

Some possible subconscious “rationales” –

“Some Christians get captured and fed to lions but most do not. Since most do not, I will not. The odds are against it. Getting fed to lions is something that happens to other people. It will never happen to me.”

“The more I accept their teachings the more approval I get from the Christians. They are thrilled that I have joined them. I feel like I belong.”

“Christianity ‘feels’ right. Now I know the truth.”

“It gives me an identity. It is part of who I am.”

“I am noticing a pattern when I pray: God lovingly answers my prayers, giving me what I want, or not.”

“We are bonded like brothers; me and my fellow Christians. It’s them and me against the world. This is exciting and makes me feel a fierce determination. It also makes me feel a wonderful sense of cameraderie with my Christian brethren. Knowing everyone is out to get us makes our bond much stronger; more rewarding, than the bonds of other groups.”

“I have a strong sense of purpose.”

“The threat of persecution confirms that I am very brave. I feel like a martyr.”

“I will spread the word and save people. I was just a lowly peasant and now I am a superhero.”

“I will go to heaven. Some of my enemies will not. I don’t feel badly about this; they were told about Christ but they rejected Him. They had their chance; it’s too bad, they will burn.” <shrug>

“I may be persecuted for my beliefs, yet my faith is steadfast and unwavering. This is strong evidence of my character. Am I not the bravest, most honorable man you know?”

“See what I’m willing to do for you, Jesus? See how much I love you, and how strong my relationship with you?”

“The more I feel persecuted, the more I dig in my heels, and the more certain I am of my beliefs.”

“I have invested so much time, energy, and emotion in Christianity. This makes sense only if its teachings are true.”

“Would I suffer like this, if it weren’t so?”

Biff the unclean

Boy, you hit that one right on the mark.
Isn't it funny though, in a country like the USA where they make up almost 90% of the population, they still view themselves this way.

rehpotsirhc

The idea of the Christian God responding to prayer is very close to a contradiction in terms. Why would an omniscient god respond to man's prayers? The Bible states that God has a plan for every man, so is he supposed to divert from his perfect plan on the whim of a man? Do Christians really think that they know more about what's good for them than their omniscient God? People often pray for the sick, but then when they die it was "all in God's plan". Why even pray for the sick if God already knows what he's going to do?

Furthermore, the idea that God will help you get 20 bucks to bay the water bill is a little far-fetched. If he existed, I doubt God's to-do-list would look like:

1. Stop proliferation of nuclear weapons.

2. Put an end to the Palestinian - Israeli conflict.

3. Mail Johnny a Dillard's gift certificate so he can get that leather coat he's been wanting.

Selsaral

:notworthy

Stephen T-B

My elderly father had an operation which was followed by a heart attack and for about four days he was in a coma.
He and my mother were members of a congregation in which they were well-known and respected - my father had been a charismatic preacher and given to working miraculous cures - and all their very many friends were urged to pray for him, and I am sure that they did. He gained consciousness and made a full recovery.
In the same ward was a man in a similar crisis. He was attended daily by his wife. Their circle of friends was small. Not many people prayed for him.
He died.
My father’s recovery was attributed to the large number of people who prayed for him, and the consequent intervention of god, and everyone rejoiced.
I thought: “What’s going on in these people’s heads? Do they think my father recovered because lots and lots of people prayed for him? Do they think the other man died because not enough people were praying for him? Do they think god is deaf?”
An event which confirmed my parents’ and their church-going friends’ certainty of god’s existence had the opposite effect upon me: all I saw was evidence of disjointed thinking..

ReasonableDoubt

Stephen T-B: I've often thought what you've said. Prayer seems incoherent. If we define prayer as supplication (asking for something), and God wants us to do that, then God is changing or reacting in response to humans.
So if someone is healed in response to many friends and family's prayers, and someone else has no friends or family to pray for him, and is not healed, that means humans are then responsible and not God. If you are unlucky and have no friends or family, no one to pray for you, God says you're out of luck?

Stephen T-B

My parents seemed to accept that very idea. And what staggered me was the fact that it didn't even begin toi bother them.

Scottyman

This typical "Christian" argument always bothers me. How could a "god" that supposedly loves all of his/her/its creatures great and small allow one person to die by diverting all attention to the person who's family does the most praying. Are they going to have praying contests now? It's a little ironic that a supposedly omnipotent and omnicient "god" would allow him/her/itself to be swayed by public opinion. What about all the poor and destitute people around the world that can't or won't pray to this supreme being. Are they all doomed to die in pain and suffering without assistance? What a bunch of balogna! I'd really like to see some religious person rationalize this one.

rehpotsirhc

No wonder it has survived for over 2000 years, huh? If your prayers are answered, it is proof of God. If they go unanswered, it was not God's will. Faith healers, psychics, and astrologers use the same technique and predate Christianity. The opiate of the masses....

By that same token, I can pick my team to win the Super Bowl every year. If they don't win...oh well. But if they do, that makes me either a psychic or a sports genius, right?

Another way people I've seen people justify their belief in God is through self fulfilling prophecies. They work hard to achieve a goal, and then give credit to God. People pray to God to help them, say, graduate college, and when they finally do they attibute it to prayer. WHAT?!?! It didn't have anything to do with you studying 3 hours a day and going to all of your classes? I'm always amused by athletes that give thanks to God for helping them win the big game.

Then again, if religion helps people be better human beings then more power to 'em. If your belief in God helps you quit smoking or keeps you from screwing your friends over, then by all means keep it up. They just don't realize that it's their belief that's making them a better person, not divine intervention.

ReasonableDoubt

I also see a problem with the "Great Commission." It is Christians' responsibility to "go and make disciples of all nations." Hence, missionaries. Now, there's no problem with someone wanting to share their experiences, but this again takes the responsibility off God. I've actually been told by Christians that if we fail to go and tell people about Christ, we are the ones responsible for their demise.
So now Christians are responsible for making others believe in God, and also are responsible to ensure that they pray for everyone enough.
Basically, we have more responsibility than an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent being. God won't heal without people's prayers. God also won't reveal himself to people unless Christians go and spread the word. Talk about stress!