Atheists: Why do you think religious people are religious?

I think most have been indoctrinated into it. Some have been out right brain washed. Others just never think those uncomfortable thoughts. Others have had experiences that made them genuinely believe in God.

A lot of religious people seem to think that it will help them to be forgiven of negative things that they have done. I suppose they figure there is no other way out of their mess. If you watch religious programming, religious people often "testify" about their past experiences with drugs, illicit sex, violence, and such things. They claim that religion has helped them out of it. Maybe those of us who haven't had such harsh experiences in life don't need religion for a feeling of forgiveness or as a virtual safety net.

My own Mother seems to be religious because she cannot accept the idea that "bad people" will not be punished in the end. She wants divine justice. But then, she was abused as a child, so she has good reason for this. Maybe those of us who were not abused don't need religion for justice. We understand that some people are nice, and some are not, and no god will help us out with that.

1. Fear of the unknown.

2. Fear of death.

3. The need of moral comfort and love has not found them so they need to go to another source.

4. Their parents are religious.

5. Personal experience

6. Social Pressure (by friends and family)

7. Insecurities.

9. Lack of understanding of the other options (atheism).

10. Lack of understanding of other explanations.

11. Religion is often easier for them to understand than the other explanations.

12. Good feelings they get (comfort, support, importance, love)

13. They want to believe that there is order and reason to the Universe.

14. Want reward in heaven.

15. Never questioned their beliefs.

There are as many reasons as there are religious people.

Some people have a need to feel that 'something' is in control of the world and their life. It cannot be random and they also have a need to believe that there has to be more to it than just their existence while on earth.

A great many reasons, such as 1) upbringing, 2) personal experience, 3) philosophical stance, 4) community, 5) insecurities, etc.

You might as well as why Republicans are Republicans or Yankees fans are Yankees fans.

Socialization, in the end, is the greatest factor.

Because it is hard to break years and years of conditioning by society, friends, and relatives. Have you ever tried to step outside your "mold"? It is an extremely challenging and scary place to be when you go against the grain. I think for some, if not most, it is easier to roll with the status QU in their life.

I think that even the staunchest of believers feel in the backs of their minds that what they believe makes absolutely no sense. There is no logic or evidence in any religion today. Yet, it is easier to say to your friends, families, etc that you are a believer than come to terms with and face the fact that what you believe is a fairy tale of a long ago era.

religion was created by people thousands of years ago because they did not have any understanding in the science of evolution back then and in turn created religion as a means of answering there questions about the existence of there life. also to use religion as an excuse to destroy each other. (i.e. the crusades,the inqusition,jayhad) and so on.

The reasons vary. Some are religious out of fear of hell or lust for reward in heaven, some just don't study enough, some cannot think critically, some are just plain stupid, etc.

Some were raised religious and simply never questioned it.

To be honest I have no idea. Maybe they find it comforting, they like being part of a community, they like the idea of not being accountable for their own actions, being afraid of death, being afraid that without external meaning then life is meaningless?

Oh, for various reasons. Fear, the want of a parental figure, and some people just need authority.