I do not follow a religion, nor believe in a God. However, I see religion as a need part of the human species. As a species, we have adapted to learn individuality. This is both a curse and a blessing. We can become our own people, do our own things-but are all of these things good?
I am going to use wolves as an example. They are solely focused on the well-being of their pack and their selves. They are creatures of instinct, and in their short life span will never have the time to think about anything else besides their survival.
Humans naught need to worry about such things. We have grown out of animalistic instincts, and have become our standard of a species of higher intelligence. We have all we need given to us by technology and modern day civilization. Meaning, unlike the wolf, we can afford to not be focused on instincts and survival. We are our own people and can do what we like, given the right circumstances and materials. This means many of us stray and do what religion considers 'sins'-things that may benefit you but hurt others. Without religion, we don't need to worry about being terrible, immoral beings! We're all going to rot in the ground anyway!
Religion teaches morals, in a way it scares (This is the best word I could think of at the time, it in no way actually scares and forces people but in a sense.) people into being good people. Fib and you'll burn in hell! Yes, I believe religion to be a thing of the past. But, we still need it, especially as our technology and world evolves. Do I believe in it's individual prejudices? No! But I believe the basis of what religion is, in my opinion, a way to teach people to become better people. To try to be a better person. (Not that this always happens, mind you.) But what I tend to dislike about religion is the wars it has caused and prejudices it has against certain factions. I believe it goes against it's core values to hurt others, but oh well.
I also believe (ahhh she's writing more) religion gives a purpose to some. Some are not content with the fact that they may die and their life will have meant nothing and they will rot in the ground, not go to heaven. Humans are afraid of the unknown. We all are. We need something to strive for, not make us think everyday is a countdown to the endless void known as death we all await. Without that hope in life, people may become hopeless and depressed. *shrugs* I suppose it may serve as a beacon to those who need hope.
tl;dr I myself am an Atheist raised in a Roman Catholic household.
@RockSmashGod *slowly raises hand* I remember reading this vaguely, so while I do not remember the specifics I did remember the general gist of it. Basically, when you dream, a part of your brain send off hormones or something, I cannot remember exactly what it used/did, and bam. dream. When you die, your body actually sends off dream-thingies as psychologically dealing with dying (in your moments of death) is almost unthinkable for the human mind and etc. All I know is, your body protects you in a sense to make it seem like all a dream, i.e., this 'heaven' people see when they die on the operation table. It's your bodies way of taking care of you. c:
This may have been just a theory, but this was a couple years back in an old book in the library so ye. I don't remember much~
