I was part of a discussion with a few people and this guy said that anyone who needed religion was weak. I don't know why but I havn't been able to forget it. Do you agree or disagree?
by 
Still_Anonymus
ANSWERS: 34
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I completely disagree.
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overall i agree...but it's kinda a gray area here.
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I disagree. That's like saying that anyone who needs love is weak.
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I can see their point, even though I'm a religious man. However, I don't "need" religion. I think that the gods want strong-minded men and women who don't _need_ the approval of the divine, but _choose_ to commune with and interact with the Divine as an act of free will.
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I agree.
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How does he define strength? Most of the people I've seen that make judgements of that sort of others are the weakest people I've ever met. To start with, he doesn't have the strength to tolerate the differences of others.
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I don't know what he meant by weak but they are definitely a bit deficient in the brain department.
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No, as a matter of fact, being willing to share your spiritual beliefs can be a sign of great strength, especially in today's world. Some people need "religion" as a way to get through life. This, however, does not necessarily make religion somehow "wrong." People who believe have essentially the same mix of personality types as those who don't, so far as I can tell.
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I could see why that statement makes you think. I was raised Roman Catholid, (I no longer practice), so based on my knowledge of being surrounded by devout catholics I have to say I disagree. Religion has nothing to do with a person's inner strength. Some are very devout and very strong, and also the opposite. It would be a matter of personality rather than an affiliation with God. I know my point is arguable, however it is my perception of it.
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I don't know about weak but after studying various religions they sure can mislead people.
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I disagree I think it makes you an incredibly strong and noble person to dedicate your life to something that exists only in the faith that it exists without concrete proof. Its a hard world that is evil and tempting. Yes, I'm christian.
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I disagree. Humanity is inherently broken, and religion is the doctor of the soul.
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I have actually noticed that some people keep sanity in very hard times because of their beliefs and faith.
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"Weak"? I don't think that's necessarily true. Maybe sometimes, people do turn to religion when they feel helpless, out of control, powerless... something along those lines. But it doesn't account for all the reasons that religion is attractive to people. I do think that sometimes people go looking for something in religion that they think is missing, find a substitute, and fail to acknowledge that it isn't quite the Real McCoy. Sort of like deciding you want to go to Hollywood Boulevard, getting to the local mall, and saying "Ok, I'm here!". Specifically, if what you get from your religion is a belief in something that you have to hang onto with both hands, instead of an understanding that you're already whole as you are -- that's what I would call "finding a substitute". It's not the real deal, it's only halfway there.
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Disagree there have been many strong people who believe in God. And, personally, in my opinion, it takes real strength to admit you need God.
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If you call a man that puts on a parachute weak when he is going to have to jump out of a burning plane. We are all going to have to jump from this life to the next. Why woudl I need a parachute? Because I have lied, stolen, lusted, which Jesus said is adultery of the heart, and broke all of God's Commandments. If God is good, He can't let Law breakers into heaven. On Judgment Day, I am going to need something to save me from hell. Jesus said that if I would repent, confess and forsake my sins, and be born again, put my faith in His sacrifice on the cross, I could be saved. Yes, if putting a parachute on to jump out of a airplane to save me makes me weak, then I guess putting my faith in Jesus Christ to save me when I jump from this life to the next, must make me weak too. If that's the way you see it, I'll just have to look weak to you.
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I think that those who rely on religion as a crutch are weak. Those that trot out their religion to justify hatred, contempt, or disgust for others are, indeed, weak. It is not weak to worship some being that you consider a higher power. That can take a strong person. But when a person uses their 'beliefs' (I say it in quote marks because sometimes the belief they profess is nothing more than lip service) as a weapon against the world, rather than a safe place to rest from it, they are not just weak, but pathetic.
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I completely agree. I get through every day without any imaginary friends.
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Agreed. Religion is a crutch and, often times, a substitute for drugs and alcohol. There are people who can't face reality and need some kind of mood alterating substance in order to get thru the day. Religion is the lesser of those evils
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I disagree.
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Even as an atheist, I can't agree with that statement. It sounds like a put down, and I don't feel superior to those who feel a need for religion. Just needing religion doesn't define a person as weak. I just gave +3s to all my atheist AB friends on this question (and good theist answers as well) guess I'm weak too.
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I did not really read many answers on here because my opinion is my own when it comes to this topic. I do not necessarily believe people who need religion are weak. However, I believe people who need religion are people who need reassurance for their words and actions. I also believe they are followers. Being a follower, or I guess a better way to put it is 'a part of a group,' is not necessarily bad either. Being a part of a group gives a person a place in society. Fitting into society is not always easy. I do sometimes believe that people who need religion in their lives are sometimes close minded to views outside of their religion. However, most groups with strong opinions are the same way. Need is a very strong word. Humans need food and water to survive. So, do we need religion? No, we do not. But some people find comfort in religion while others find comfort in nature, sports, or books. Using the word 'need' lightly, we all need some sort of comfort in life, whatever it may be. If people who need religion are weak, so is the rest of the human race. (I am not a religious person.)
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I think it takes a lot more strength to admit you rely on your faith in todays world, than to pretend you are so strong that you will never need help, guidance or encouragement.
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All people who are religious have either been raised up that way or they were weak. Children are not able to defend themselves against indoctrination. No one in their right mind accepts religion. I used to be a christian. That was because I was unstable from abusing way too many drugs. Once I sobered up, I saw it all for what it was and booked it. Now I am still recovering, not from drugs, but from religious indoctrination. I am still angry about what christianity has done to me, so out of retaliation, I work against the christian movement.
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A G R E E E !!! The only reason people believe in something is because they fear a horrible afterlife. Being afraid is a sign of weakness. When you believe in someone superior saving you after death it is because religion has brainwashed you into you going somewhere special after your life is over. Simple as that !!!
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I disagree.
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I don't agree. Most religious people I come into contact with are respectful. I have had mormons come to my house and I simply said no thanks, I am an atheist. They said, thank you for your time and left. I do not believe in god. I harbor no ill will towards those that do unless they try to impose their religious beliefs on our political system or me personally. Otherwise I don't care if you believe in god, pepsi cans, the sun, whatever floats your boat, I truly believe most people are trying to be the best people they can be.
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Ask him to name one powerful atheist leader in all of history.
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I disagree. He needs religion. He just doesn't realize it. Eventually he will either accept it or regret it.
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My faith, over the years, has made me more loving and less judgmental. Though a struggle, it is also made me less self-centered. I am also an incredibly strong person. Personally, I don't see a link. I've met some people of faith who were very obnoxious. And some of the whiniest, more self-centered people I've had to deal with do not believe in anything higher than themselves. So I think statements like the one made in the original question are really quite asinine.
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Weakness and strength are often confused. St. Paul made a few pithy comments on this.
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He was probably right, to a point. All men are weak and will fail without God. Without God, man will wander lost through his own life, chasing petty desire after trivial lust. He searches all of the wrong places for happiness and purpose and comes up empty every time, all the time wondering"why?" We cannot know ourselves until we know God. Our weakness is in our mortal flesh and our sin, but our strength lies in God. Our weakness can manifest itself by making us more susceptible to the temptations of evil, and evil will only destroy us and those we touch.
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I think he is wrong. I am Muslim. To be a Muslim one needs to be strong and disciplined. To me, the weak shy away from any spiritual responsibility due to laziness, weakness or arrogance. Salaam
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I wouldn't call it a weakness, it's more of a lack of knowledge for what they are supposed believe. I remember being warned against reading many books when I was in Catholic school. Of course I read them and most were revelations about religion and the results from too much "religious thinking". Some were just dirty books which I also enjoyed. The church used to maintain a list of "condemned books" that made a convenient reading list for me. Religion is a useful short cut if you don't want to delve into science or philosophy to really understand life and develop you own moral sense. The real danger is too much religion because the religious commit real atrocities that the non-religious would never consider. You never see atheists strap bombs to their chest.
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