Religion: Why is it so Hard to Believe In?

Religion is something a major portion of society takes very seriously. My family on the other hand, does not. Sure, we used to go to church just like everyone else, then things got hectic and we never had the time. At least that's what we tell ourselves, but the truth is: we could make time if we wanted to. And it seems as though the other half of the population has the same perspective.

Albert Einstein said this about the lack of religion:

"I cannot conceive of a god who rewards and punishes his creatures or has a will of the kind that we experience in ourselves. Neither can I-nor would I want to-conceive of an individual that survives his physical death. Let feeble souls, from fear of absurd egotism, cherish such thoughts. I am satisfied with the mystery of the eternity of life and a glimpse of the marvelous structure of the existing world, together with the devoted striving to comprehend a portion, be it ever so tiny, of the Reason that manifests itself in nature." (1)

Einstein is believed to be one of the most intelligent men that ever graced this world's presence. And many people believe that "what he says goes." Does that explain the increasing trend in today's society of not having a religion?

Religion seems like more of a tradition in today's culture among the older generations. Every Sunday evening I used to "babysit" a 99 year old lady named Orpha Hyer. I stayed the night, fixed her supper, and got her anything she needs. One evening when she was feeling particularly talkative she asked me: "What church do you go to?"

"Actually I don't." I replied.

"You don't what?" she asked me.

"Go to church, I don't go to church." I said.

"Why not?" she inquired.

"Oh, I'm always busy on Sundays, I work and everything and I never have the time." I replied.

"The boogerman's gonna get you," she warned.

"Yeah, I know." I smiled and left the room. Of course, I don't believe in the boogyman, and it seems like I don't believe in a higher power.

To have religion, one must have faith. Faith in things one cannot see. Faith in powers one cannot feel. And faith in a place that has not been scientifically proven to exist. Almost all religions worship a diety of some sort who has powers to make all things right, and who will reward a permanent residence in utopia to obedient followers. -Sounds sorta like something out ofArabian Nights, doesn't it?

Rob Berstein-author of "The Lack of Religion Page of Rob Bernstein"-agrees. Here are some of his "proofs" on the matter:
1. Most religions rely on prophets who were in contact with god, or who they thought was god. These prophets have often defined the religion. Now, one may ask, why does one prophet sometimes contradict what one said long before. If god supposedly gave the first prophet his directions, then why should the second one get different directions? One reason that I have heard others use is that god had his reasons then for something, but now which don't make sense, such as the 'ban' on eating pork in Judaism.

2. My question is, if god created humans, then who/what created god? I think this is too difficult a question for anyone except the brightest philosopher to even comprehend. To answer that question, one would need to shed all ideas of time (see the first episode of Star Trek: DS9, for example). Scientists have simulated the beginning of the universe from the "Big Bang", and many discoveries since the idea was put forward has bolstered it, but this still doesn't explain what was around before the Big Bang. By this time, you're saying, "Rob, you just said that you don't believe that religion explains it, nor does science explain it." Well, you're right, but I do believe that science will explain it at some point. Almost all science can be proven by experiment. Religion, however, cannot prove the existence of god. (1)

Almost anyone reading these "proofs" would be convinced that the lack of religion in today's society is well-justified; I was. And many people have asked the same questions Berstein brings up in his webpage. Surely, without proof, religion is as hard to believe in as Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy.

"I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals Himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings."-Albert Einstein (2)

Maybe there is a higher power among us that takes count of our good and bad deeds and that will meet us at "the pearly gates" when this earthly life is over, but until there is proof, many people (including myself) are going to continue to live their lives without religion.

Bernstein, Rob. "Why I am not religious aka, my random thoughts on the world." 7 Sept. 2001. http://www.mit.edu/people/bernstra/religion.html.

"Some of Einstein's Writings on Science and Religion." 7 Sept. 2001. http://www.condor.stcloudstate.edu/~lesikar/einstein.html.