Why do people follow religion when there are so many contradictions to their beliefs?

According to the Bible we (humans) were created in his(GOD) image, we are the ones with a choice a will and a conscious

Most people answering your question seem to have jumped on the 'animal' part and not actually answer your question. People follow a religion (and im talking about the main 3 religions here) is because they just cant live without rules in their lives, they need something to blame when things go wrong (evil, Satan) or praise when things go right(good, God) they just cant believe THEY are in total Control of their destiny, as this will give them and only them the responsibility for their actions, as it was once said 'religion is the opium of the masses' it is a comfort blanket, and they usually pick and choose, say its symbolic or literal whatever fits their idea.

There are many contradictions we have freewill but also have to abide by rules, adultery is wrong but Abraham was allowed to have sex, when he had a wife , with his maid so he could have children, and taking your morality from the bible as some has suggested well what about the killing of someone for gathering sticks on the Sabbath (by Gods orders) Numbers 15 - 32. Lots daughters getting him drunk and having sex with him. Genesis 19 - 31 just to mention a few.

It was Man (ie humans) who sinned, none of the animals have ever sinned. Therefore all animals souls are clean and automatically go to Heaven. But through sin, Man needs to ask God for forgiveness before he can go to heaven.

*****

>if you not an animal what are you,...

No, you have believed the brainwashing dished out by scientists that Man is an animal!

Man was never an animal, he was created differently to the animals.

You need to read The Bible before coming out with these stupid questions. You really are just showing yourself up to be an total ignoramus.

why are all these people saying that we are above animals? we are just as primitive as any other animal on the planet. the only reason we think that we are so much better is that humans are ahead in evolution, after we've gone, some other being will have a turn.

man created God! people only believe that we were created in his image because we as humans are so obsessed with our own importance. in the grand scheme of things, religion won't change the human race's fate, its just a reason for people who cant justify their own existence. some people have to look for a higher power in order to feel significant.....

im done!

How is that a contradiction?

Religious people, for the most part, believe humans have a diff nature than that of animals so why would they live up to the same standards?

It would only be a contradiction if you believed that humans and other animals were equals and most religious people dont.

edit

well duh, yeah most religions believe humans are better than animals and for all your reasons as to why animals are better than humans there are a ton more as to why humans are better and superior.

Of course humans are classified as animals, but even you used the 2 terms as separate to make your point and that is what most people are doing. They are just trying to differentiate btwn humans and other animals.

You asked about why they are contradicting themselves and they arent if you go by their actual beliefs as to the nature of humanity. You cant apply your own beliefs on the nature of humanity when asking about other peoples beliefs.

I don't think many Christians categorize themselves at the same level as any other animal. I believe that in the Bible it says that animals are here for us, not to be our peers.

Edit: You can't take part of a religion's beliefs and criticize them against a different belief. That is like saying that apples are wrong because they don't have external seeds.

So that is your big contradiction? That animals don't get married?

There is 1 difference between humans & all other creatures: We know how to think abstractly in awareness of our own self.

Animals don't have an "identity" like we do. God placed that in us. It doesn't matter if a bacteria dies, it doesn't go to bacteria heaven. We, on the other hands, were created with reason & purpose. God placed eternity in our hearts. We were created differently from all other creatures, and God made man in His image.

Because it explains the unexplainable. There is a contradiction in that, but most people can't tell the difference. I don't understand your point on animal marriage, which is different from "animal husbandry" which are two words I like a lot.

Humans have the ability to pressure themselves with futile dogmas and do so out of resistance to them, except they think they are willing.

Actually, there are several species in the animal world which are known to be monogamous for a lifetime. I personally think God expects us to be more than animals. God bless.

Because God created us in His image, that is why we have morals. we don't eat our young like some animals, or ditch them to avoid getting eaten. Animals don't get married, they just mate like crazy, the only way to stop them is if they get eaten or die of disease. God is what makes us different than animals.