Is Religious Faith Emotional Crutch?

[goodlife]

Some equate Faith with guibiility.

[sandyRoe]

What does it matter what it's called as long as it works for the fortunate believer.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Yes (sometimes).
No (others).

[boxtops]

For some, yes
For others, no

[bert_h]

Whether it's an "emotional crutch", or some other disparaging phrase, isn't it striking how enthusiastic the non-religious people are about pouring scorn on religion in a public forum like this. The religious people don't usually retaliate with as much hostility or contempt.

[Zacs-Master]

Yes. It demonstrates a lack of personal confidence.

[Zeuhl]

Probably

a feeling of self esteem
or connection with like minded others
or a perception of certainty (afterlife)


or a career opportunity

[modeller]

It satisfies an emotional need without requiring any particular level of intelligense. For some with a high need of emotional support it is a crutch.

To believe in the myths and legends of a man made holy book requires a high level of gullibility but a simple belief in a God is sufficient to give comfort for many.

[naomi24]

Yes, it is.

[pixie373]

Yes, the religious people on here themselves ask what you would replace religion with. So it must fill a gap for them.

[baza]

I am happy with my faith. Is it crutch? Not to me.

[modeller]

//I am happy with my faith. Is it crutch? Not to me//

How do you know ?

[jomifl]

Of course religion is a crutch, otherwise it wouldn't exist.

[Hypognosis]

A crutch is only a crutch if you fall over when it is suddenly taken away from you.

With regard to gullibility, consider that, as soon as an infant is old enough to pose the question "where does the world come from?" to a parent, the answer they are given will depend entirely on whether the parent wants them to grow up sharing their faith (if applicable) or wants to steer them clear of the whole area.

The child probably could not care less about whether the answer is 'the truth', their task in life is merely to fit in and become like the people in their immediate surroundings. They copy behaviours, they listen and repeat, they ask questions when they don't understand something and they accept what they are told without questioning their principal advisors. One is taught not challenge one's parents and one will later be instructed to not question their pastor either.

Unquestioning acceptance of information passed to you is the very definition of gullibility.

The really sad thing is that life was (still is) tough and when children realised that their parents are not all-powerful and can't stop bad things happening, they do become insecure and need some kind of reassurance that things will be okay - if not in this life then 'in the next'.

The 'emotional crutch' is therefore installed at a very early age, for some. :-(

Maybe those of us with privileged, financially secure lives, supported by attentive parents who do have the power to fix our material, financial and emotional needs just don't need the big guy in the sky to help them out?

Speaking of which, you are preaching exclusively to computer users, who I am convinced fit the above 'emotionally secure' category. Meanwhile there are a lot of miserable, poverty stricken people elsewhere in the world who might be more receptive to comforting beliefs.

[modeller]

baza //I am happy with my faith. Is it crutch? Not to me//

As Hypog says ://How would you feel if your faith was taken away ?//
Would you fall over ?

[Baldric]

What the heck is "guibiility"? . . . (in OP)

[goodlife]

No,The Bible has much to say about faith. Yet nowhere does it encourage us to be gullible.

Although some people who resort to a faith do not want to think for themselves or allow hard evidence to influence their beliefs. Such skeptics imply that those with religious faith ignore reality.

So the crutch is a form of self-deception that causes a person to ignore reality and prevents him from reasoning logically.

Like some people use alcohol as a crutch. Initially, alcohol may make them feel more self-confident and able to cope with life’s challenges. But in the long run, those who lean on the crutch of alcohol harm themselves.

[naomi24]

Again you weren't really asking a question, were you Goodlife? You were setting yourself up for yet another sermon. Okay. How about those who need neither the crutch of religion nor of alcohol? How do you think they cope with life?

[Baldric]

wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2012810‎
For example, some people use alcohol as a crutch. Initially, alcohol may make them feel more self-confident and able to cope with life's challenges.

C & P yet again, no original input, just as well, looking at 'guibiility'

[goodlife]

Baldric If this is sad, for you what Jehovah’s Witnesses want to talk about is called good news in the Bible. (Matthew 24:14)

Happily, hundreds of thousands of people each year learn to recognize the wisdom that the Bible contains, and the result is real, lasting changes in their lives.

This is the kind of information that Jehovah’s Witnesses want to discuss when they pursue their ministry and visit their neighbors. Likely, they will be visiting you soon.

But a gullible one - Ecclesiastes 4:4 points to one answer: I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed; it is because they envy the things Christians have. But it is useless. It is like chasing the wind.