The appeal of religion

[Gulliamo]

Is the mass appeal, or part thereof, of religion do to the fact that many humans think they have to have influence on something or everything?

Example: I am in a football pool. The surviving members of the pool feel they MUST watch the game. Many feel they must go through elaborate rituals to "ensure" a victory for their team. Myself? I don’t watch football. I feel absolutely no need to start simply because I have a chance at winning a large sum of money if I pick the right teams all season. When I ask the other participants if they think the outcome may be any different whether they watch or not they respond with a resounding, "YES!"

Is this the same phenomena with religious people? "I can't control the weather. But if I pray for rain I will have influence over this weekends forecast!" Or, "I can't control the politics of the world. But if I pray for peace it just might happen!"

My question to you is: Is it "Inherent Human Nature" to want to control or have influence over all things?

And if so is this the basis of the mass appeal of religion?

[Tormac]

I'm not sure that this illusion of control is the single basis for the appeal of mass religion, but it is certainly one of the major ones.

It's human nature to want to be able to control significant events in out life. Who has not had to face terrible feeling of helplessness, and wished that they could control the uncontrollable? The desire to control the universe through supernatural means (be it though the manipulation of some mystical force, or the intervention of demons, saints, spirits, or gods) is common throughout every human culture that I am familiar with.

When I was a little kid then monsters in the dark were not nearly as scary if my cat slept with me. (Of course when I was five my 10-pound pet housecat looked more like a 300-pound tiger, at least he did in my imagination, where most of the mosters hung out as well). What is there to chase away the monsters of the adult world? It would be a lots easier to sleep at nigh with the notion that if I prayed and really meant it, I could ensure my aunt lived through her open heart surgery, or that I could comunicate with my dead grandfather, or that people would quite killing each other over the right to rule.

Vonnegut’s novel “Cat’s Cradle” has many wonderful examples of how mankind’s need for the control of, and safety from, a crazy, hostile, and uncontrollable world can be eased with the subtle function of religion, even if the true danger’s of the world still run unchecked.

[espritch]

Desire to control uncontrollable events (and the actions of others - i.e. convert the heathen) is certainly part of the appeal.

Another part is the natural instinct for self preservation. Believe in God and live forever.

A third aspect is simple ego stroking. I’m one of the chosen people so I must be special even if nothing in my life supports that assertion. I'm part of God's family so somebody loves me. Etc.

One also shouldn't underestimate the appeal of having all the answers handed to you in a neat package so you can avoid the hard work of thinking for yourself. Let's face it: a lot of people are intellectually lazy.

And there's the desire for revenge. My enemies are evil and are going to burn in hell forever.

There is also the carrot and stick thing. If I don't believe I'll burn in hell forever. If I'm a good boy, I get to go to heaven.

There's also fashion. Religion is popular with most people so I better go along with it so I can be socially accepted by the majority.

Have I missed anything?

[Eos of the Eons]

I don't think so