lightfoot3's blog

spook-economics: why people “believe” in god

 abuse

According to one recent national poll, fully 92 percent of Americans say they believe in God.  That should not be surprising as the United States is identified and seen as a Christian nation.  Far and away the most favorite god is the one of the Bible, Jehovah.  Let’s discuss why people say they believe in God.

Foremost, people say they believe in God because they know that’s the answer that’s expected.  The United States is a country that wraps itself with everything God.  Ceremonies and games are started with a prayer to God.  The courts reference God.  God is printed on our money.  God is in our pledge.  We have songs with God in them.  So it’s only natural that someone would say they believe in God.  And it’s natural for that God to be Jehovah given He’s the most popular.  People usually go with the more popular God of the area, or the one of their parents.  If we lived in India, the god of choice might be Vishnu.

It makes sense, both societal, culturally, and economically to claim a belief in God.  If you stand up in just about any situation and announce a belief in God, you’ll get little reaction.  So what?  Everyone believes in God.  But say you’re an atheist, and there is no God, and suddenly you have people’s attention.  And not in a good way either.  You’re now a target for ridicule.  You’re seen as abnormal. You’re to be banished or shunned.  Consider our recent senatorial race.  A desperate Elizabeth Dole tried to paint her opponent as someone who associates with atheists, hoping that the perceived negative association might help her win the election.  If you’re given a choice between dealing with a business that professes Christianity versus one that professes atheism, which one would you choose?  Sadly, even I might would lean toward the Christian business because of the impression (a false one) that it is more trustworthy.  Those that claim Christianity are no more honest than those that don’t, but it’s ingrained in our thoughts and philosophy to think that.

The reason is brainwashing, plain and simple.  We are told that we should believe in God from the day we are born.  We’re christened and baptized.  We’re taught the “I pray the Lord my soul to keep” prayer before bed.  We’re taught the “God is great” prayer before we eat.  We’re go to Sunday School.  We pray before the football game.  We recite the pledge with God in it.  And if math class gets hard enough, we pray there too.  Even when we don’t see any results from the prayers, we continue to pray because that’s what we have been taught and conditioned to do from day one.  It’s habitual.

Do people REALLY believe in God?  If actions are any indication, the answer is not likely.  If given the choice between saying “I believe in God” and being accepted, versus saying “I’m an atheist” and being ostracized, when you don’t have to make any changes to your real beliefs and how you conduct your life, which would you choose?  Look at those around you that claim Christianity.  Look at those on GOLO that make the claim.  Many are liars and hypocrites.  Many are mean and nasty.  Many do hateful things out of spite, or because it gives them some sort of perverse pleasure.  They certainly don’t live and carry themselves as if they really believe, so why do that falsely make the claim? (if not a false claim, it’s a claim made without any real logical, critical thought).  The reason is acceptance.  They’re accepted within society without question.  Saying you believe in God is a no-brainer decision because of all the societal and sometimes economic rewards you reap.  It’s Spook-Economics 101.

Bottom line?  Your family, your friends, your community, and your country expects you to believe in God and they take steps from day one to make you say you believe.  It’s no different than the steps parents take to make a child believe in Santa Claus.  But unlike Santa Claus, religion keeps going because not only does it offer power, it’s also big business.  But just think how much better society would be if those that claimed a belief in God actually conducted themselves like they REALLY believed in God?!  What a wonderful world that would be.

Disclaimer:  Yes, I know there are truly some people that believe in God(s).  And yes, some that claim Christianity actually try to live their lives in a Christian manner.  It seems to be a rarity, especially on GOLO, but I admit that it does happen.

Filed under: Religion