
Originally Posted by
omniuni
Religion is essentially the predecessor to government. Religion provided and to this day provides a framework by which people live their lives. It gives hope, advice, and sets a precedence from which we can build more modern opinions. A good religion will adapt to the times or it will eventually come to an end. I am Jewish, but were it not for the ability of my religion to adapt and accommodate modern science, I would leave. More than anything, what I enjoy about my religion, and what anyone should be able to get from their religion, is the wealth of general guidance. Judaism helps answer for me many tough questions that are related to my life, not directly to religion. It influences my views on politics, social situations, and my own ideas of what is right and wrong, sin and mitzvah (good deed). I feel comfortable with many of the conclusions, given the 5000+ years that it has been discussed by the greatest scholars in our geographic area. I find if fascinating, really the depth with which the supplements to our religious literature covers issues. Jewish law covers the death penalty (under strict Jewish law, it is incredibly difficult to issue the death penalty, and as such, only one person has ever been executed in Israel), and the Talmud discusses how one should care for their own body. The Cabala discusses the details of reincarnation, and the meaning of heaven. (Yes, we believe in reincarnation in a certain sense, and no, we do not believe in Hell.) So in short, why do we believe in religion? It gives us a basis for living our lives, and a more abstract meaning if we require it.