Why do YOU follow religion?

In science, things are not "proven". Proofs are in the realm of mathematics and logic alone. However, in science there is the concept of "sufficient evidence to support <insert claim>", and that is the method that is used. True, that science DOES require faith, but it is not the same faith that is employed by religion. It is simply faith in emperical evidence observed through the senses.

So, in the case of proteins, they can be observed through a variety of ways, whether it be a microscope, chemical equation, and so forth.

In the case of religion, there is no "sufficient evidence" nor can "God" or any other divine being be observed as emperical evidence.

Of course I could always bring up Global Skepticism and show how we really know almost nothing at all...

 

skepticism is not "not knowing" but rather not giving assent to declarations about the "external world", at least that is what it appears to be to me at this time.

 

I follow the principles of Buddhism because it makes perfect sense to me and has worked for many people before me. It is just nice to feel like you are part of a greater community of people who have experienced problems similar to yours and have decided upon a solution similar to yours as well. My life has been so happy since I took a real plunge into Buddhism I would recommend it to anyone. Peace everyone

 

heh, some people claim that there isn't sufficient evidence for the existence of things like dark matter etc. but they are mathematically valid assumptions to make to understand the universe and its collective content mathematically. Similarly, you may claim there is no sufficient evidence for the existence of God or any other higher reality, but making an assumption that there is a God or a higher reality is valid in many cases when tryiing to understand our lives.

 

Oh, there are many reasons. For me, the three most basic ones are:

1. Fascination. Whatever else Religion may be, it IS an extensive, interwoven assembly of information (about all of the varieties of relationships between humans and the divine) that makes any music composition look simple by comparison. The fascinating thing is that in the midst of all that apparent complexity is a simple truth. It is fascinating to know what the great mystics knew and any interested person has access to their knowledge.

2. Inspiration. I find inspiration in the simple fact that religion exists. It would have been impressive if there were only one continuing tradition, reasonably well-documented, thousands of years old, that discusses the big questions about human nature, existence, transcendence, the absolute, the unknown, the nature of the Divine, and so on. That there are at least 6 or 7 major religions, and as many other spiritual paths as there are ways to count them, well, to me, that is simply mind-blowing. It suggests that there is far more reality than just the information our senses offer to the mind. Such abundance is to be celebrated. To celebrate is to be inspired.

3. Function. Life is much easier and better knowing most of humanity is at least aware of, and at best, respectful of, some expression of the Torah, or Dharma, or whatever you call the teachings. This basic trust in that my fellow humans are influenced by enlightened, inspired ideals allows for involvement in more meaningful, creative activities than mere self defense or a continuous struggle for survival. Without this trust, this world of ours would present even more of an appearance than it seems to, these days, of one big prison yard.

Life, especially human life, should be more fulfilling. Religion is really a multi-generational conversation about the ways one may make it so.

So be it.

Peace and Love

 

I'd like to have something to believe in and something to fall back onto.

My parents raised me on a religion (Christianity, or more specifically, Protestantism), but they're letting me choose my own religion now.

I like the idea of having a religion.

I'm converting to Judaism.

 

I don't think i follow any religion, i'm just seeking my own way through.