why is religion still around

[Jonathan Jenkins]

historically speaking religion was made to explain stuff inexplicable at the time if we are on the coarse to explain almost everything in our natural world why is religion still around

[Vancea L. Domide]

I told you already that religion is kind of philosophy. The only difference is that religion is imposed.

I've never heard of philosophers making state religion from their philosophies, but I know religious leaders who imposed their philosophies thus it became state religion.

In secular societies you have the freedom to dumb yourself with the help of Catholic church, Protestant church etc, for example.

[Vertigo_One [Ops Mod]]

I told you already that religion is kind of philosophy. The only difference is that religion is imposed.

No. People choose to believe. No one imposes it on them. And it is not a mere "philosophy" but a response to God.

[Vancea L. Domide]

Philosophy is not belief in or faith.

When you believe in, or have faith in a god or gods, you part from freedom of philosophy. Your mind gets constrained by the religion you belong to.

[Vertigo_One [Ops Mod]]

Philosophy is not belief in or faith.

In many cases, it is. Philosophies are often not provable, yet many people believe in them regardless.

When you believe in, or have faith in a god or gods, you part from freedom of philosophy. Your mind gets constrained by the religion you belong to.

No more or less than believing in one position on anything else eliminates you from believing a contradicting position.

[Abreo]

There have been philosophies adopted by the state. Confuscianism is probably the best example but every state has its own philosophy and while it may not force people to follow it the state certainly imposes that philosophy onto them and likely teaches students in public schools that what the government does is right. Actually some states don't allow backtalk so I guess in some places there's not really a difference.

In secular societies you also have the freedom to dumb yourself down by reading Ayn Rand and then possibly joining The Ayn Rand Institute which works to help introduce Ayn Rand to young people while they're still impressionable. http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_ari

Seriously if you think this is different from how religion is taught go read the about me. They're working towards drafting as many converts as they can. It's exactly like a religion (in that sense).

[CD]

electromagnetic radiation is a form of metaphysics and it's origins can be explained, at least in part, without referring to any supernatural concept.

you know, unless you think electrons skipping orbit are supernatural.

i mean, technically they're particles, not matter.

and EM are waves and particles.

a bit of a mind f** but as yet it has nothing to do with the supernatural, religion, or god (of any description).

[Tim]

Faith.

[Michael Lee]

Myth, Bias, and Justification.

[Jackalope Joe D'Antonio]

Religion is the attempt of humans to give our lives meaning and hope. No one wants to think that they are a small sack of meat and water living on a speck of dust orbiting a small ball of gas in a universe filled with millions of specks of dust and balls of gas about the same as theirs. They want to think that something out there knows they exist and care about them. They also want to think that there is a reason for it all. They like to think that all of the bad things that happen in our world is part of some plan or has a reason for happening. That is why people still have religion today. Most religion was started as you said to explain the explainable. Then religion took on a new purpose. It was (and still is) used to control the masses. Christianity had complete and utter control over all of Europe for over a thousand years with the pope at the head. The same is true for Islam in the middle east. The Jewish leader Moses used the man in the sky to take control of an entire race of people. Then the Jewish kings used it to keep the people in line and loyal. The Romans used it as a way to keep those assimilated into Roman society happy by adding the gods of the conquered into the roman pantheon. The Greeks used the gods to spur on their soldiers. Religion will never go away as long as their are people who want power, and I can assure you, there will always be someone who wants power. 

[Jackson Frankfurt]

Religion in ancient cultures showed what they wanted and admired. They made gods of things they couldn't explane. Religion also binds people together. It groups people as could race or social status. The holocaust was only possible because there were lots of people who were similar. They were grouped. Religion is a method of grouping. 

I'm a Christian, so I believe my religion is still around because God wants it to be around.

Im sure people of other beliefs would say that their religion is still around because it is true.

[Kevin W Long]

There are plenty of things that science has yet to explain and probably can't explain. Personally, science is not sufficient to either prove nor disprove the existence of a god or gods. I grew up believing in God and continue to do so because I don't think anyone has given enough evidence to prove He doesn't exist and for many other reasons. On that note, if science was all that His existence hinged on, then it wouldn't really be faith would it?

[baa]

i think that religion is still around because even though there might not be proof its comforting to think that theres someone watching over you and taking care of you. So, believing in God is easier than not. i personally dont think theres anything wrong with believing in god as long as you dont strongly impose your beliefs on anyone. i always thought that religion was one of those things that were created to unite people to give the hope,meaning and "help".im religious but i like to think that whatever you believe is your reality.( that sounds really stupid now). and that people should be allowed to beileve whatever they want. some people strongly depend on their faith in times of hardships. so i hope that religion never fully disappears as it is not entirely bad. but i have nothing against atheism either i just dont see the point for myself to become an atheist as i have nothing to gain from that change. but i have many atheist friends who are just as amazing as my religious friends.

p.s Im terribly sorry if all this sounds like nonsense. im new to this website(but ive been a nerdfighter for 6months now) and this is my 2nd post. so im sorry if i wasted your time :D