Trigger Warning secular humanism: why do people prefer to believe in the supernatural than not?

[M!$TER-ED]

According to AI Copilot the human brain is built for supernatural thinking. When something unexplained happens our minds prefer some kind of explanation than none at all. Simply saying "I do not know" is unacceptable. This leads to intuitive beliefs in spirits, gods, fate, curses, or forbidden forces.
Studies show people rely more on supernatural explanations when information is unclear or frightening.

Theory of mind: We naturally imagine minds behind event-gods, ancestors, spirits.
Teleological thinking: We assume things happen for a purpose, this easily becomes a supernatural purpose.
Difficulty imagining non-existence: People struggle to imagine death as "nothing" which fuels afterlife beliefs.

Evolutionary & Psychological Functions: Supernatural beliefs didn't just appear-they stick because they serve functions.

Emotional functions-coping with fear, suffering, and death. belief in gods, fate or an afterlife reduces existential anxiety.
Comfort during uncertainly-when life feels chaotic, supernatural explanations feel stabilizing.

Social functions-group cohesion: Shared supernatural beliefs strengthen group identity and cooperation.
Moral order: Belief in watchful gods can encourage prosocial behavior and reduce cheating.
Cultural evolution: Religions spread because they help groups survive and coordinate.

We learn supernatural beliefs from our communities. Culture decides the content. Children absorb supernatural ideas from parents, rituals, stories, and institutions.
Tight-knit communities reinforce belief through repetition, authority, and social pressure. Once embedded supernatural ideas become part of identity and tradition.

Supernatural belief is not a 'bug" of human thinking-it's feature of how our minds evolved.

Secular Humanism is a life stance that grounds meaning, ethics, and purpose in human reason, evidence, and shared human welfare-without appealing to gods, supernatural forces or religious authority.

 

[Electrum1]

"why do people prefer to believe in the supernatural than not?"

Because everything turns to shit without having faith in non-material beliefs of meaning/existence

 

[lost weekend]

Even the most staunch atheist on the forum will I'm certain have spoke the words 'dear god" ,"oh my god" ,"please god" at some point in a stressful situation

 

[lost weekend]

In short they would have prayed to "god" even though it may have been two short words

 

[thujone]

Solzhenitsyn warned about secular humanism and I haven't seen anything that would change my mind about it.

It's the playground of technocratic ethicists - you know the kind, that can't utter a single fucking thought that doesn't make them sound like sociopaths yearning to enslave all of humanity

 

[M!$TER-ED]

Even the most staunch atheist on the forum will I'm certain have spoke the words 'dear god" ,"oh my god" ,"please god" at some point in a stressful situation

Well maybe, I believe humans can evolve to believe/support anything they wish? Just because I grew up believing one way doesn't mean I cannot change my mind

 

[M!$TER-ED]

Solzhenitsyn warned about secular humanism and I haven't seen anything that would change my mind about it.

It's the playground of technocratic ethicists - you know the kind, that can't utter a single fucking thought that doesn't make them sound like sociopaths yearning to enslave all of humanity

Some people have morals and some not. That is on the individual

 

[F.U.B.A.R.]

Even the most staunch atheist on the forum will I'm certain have spoke the words 'dear god" ,"oh my god" ,"please god" at some point in a stressful situation

That's true, but they're just sayings. Rather like when one says "fuck me", or "bugger me sideways". It's not meant to be taken seriously...

 

[M!$TER-ED]

Skeleton Key movie is an example of the supernatural needing the caregiver to believe in voodoo before it could work on her.


With that said...is it possible that the supernatural exists only to those who believe?

 

[M!$TER-ED]

Think about this, perception is not universal, everyone sees and understands the world differently. Is it possible for our brains to perceive something no one else does thereby in a sense making it real to them?
Psychedelics are an example why don’t we all trip the same?

 

[M!$TER-ED]

Is the supernatural real, does it exist? To some people the supernatural is real and a part of their belief system.
I choose not to believe in the supernatural.

 

[Zopiclone bandit]

According to AI Copilot the human brain is built for supernatural thinking. When something unexplained happens our minds prefer some kind of explanation than none at all. Simply saying "I do not know" is unacceptable.

Maybe for some people BUT that's not the case 100% of the time.
Anyone who has been into Magick & other consciousness expansion techniques gets to the point when something weird or for another label "Paranormal" happens you just shrug & maybe laugh.

To quote Robert Anton Wilson we need to stop saying what "something is" & state how it seems to us only, the term "maybe Logic" is something that should be applied to way more things imho.

 

[Zopiclone bandit]

Think about this, perception is not universal, everyone sees and understands the world differently. Is it possible for our brains to perceive something no one else does thereby in a sense making it real to them?
Psychedelics are an example why don’t we all trip the same?

One of the best posts I have seen on here in ages.

Check this out, it's just over 1 minute long.

 

[Zopiclone bandit]

That's true, but they're just sayings. Rather like when one says "fuck me", or "bugger me sideways". It's not meant to be taken seriously...

In your case I'm not quite sure this is true .

 

[M!$TER-ED]

It’s funny how faith can normalize the absurdity of religious beliefs in our society. You have to admit faith based beliefs have some very strange notions about god, Jesus, resurrection, end of times, judgement and tribulations. The idea of god being one and all in the trinity speaks for itself

 

[thujone]

Some people have morals and some not. That is on the individual

maybe could say this for buddhism but humanism has been used as a tool for too much evil.

the inherent problem with organized religion/ideology is that it can be used to manipulate masses and that makes it politcally powerful.

what the individual thinks is irrelevant in the context of a corrupted ideology

 

[M!$TER-ED]

True, I don't understand evil or intentional wrongdoing. it is not my nature, I have to live with myself

 

[thujone]

i think the best we can do as humans is just individually being good to one another

does it matter, then, if the motivation for good acts comes from a person believing in god or allah or shina ibu?

 

[M!$TER-ED]

i think the best we can do as humans is just individually being good to one another

does it matter, then, if the motivation for good acts comes from a person believing in god or allah or shina ibu?

It’s a little more complicated for me than if everyone got along all would be well…ideally one would think human harmony is the ultimate goal or purpose of religion? Seemingly religion is portrayed good and wholesome guide to living, however, as with any man made salute to god or whatever comes individual or group power based on identifiable social classes separated by us and them. Equality does not exist, human association is based on like mindedness and commonality.
My issues with religion, god, church, Christianity are I wasn’t given a choice, as to what was available to believe or not believe.
A large part of this comes from handed down beliefs and practices from previous generations as the only way.

True it is not my role in life to change how people believe or behave for that matter, but it seems to me there are people out there who struggle with god, religion and supernaturalism the same as I have, to those people I share what I have learned so they can choose for themselves.

 

[M!$TER-ED]

Simply by introducing the idea that supernaturalism, belief in god, etc is a natural response for addressing unknown phenomena is considered heresy among religions that support idea of holiness and the bestowed unto them via proxy to god. Not only does the concept of individualism as opposed to god’s grace to believers changes everything we are told about life, living and death.

This means god is no longer the creator or is in charge of our lives. @thujone mentioned concerns that without “god”s” to keep humans in line morally secular humanism would be a playground for sociopaths yearning to enslave humanity, well guess what humanity is already enslaved by sociopaths leading our country? And they profess themselves Christians.

Religions are straightforward, believe this way and do not ask questions. If a belief system has any integrity at all it would encourage discussion and debate rather than hiding behind Old Testament wrath of god for disobedience.