Throughout history, the existence of “God” has always been a controversial topic. Nowadays it is indeed difficult to prove God’s existence (or non-existence), or rather, it is unnecessary to even revisit the topic because we do not have time for faith anymore. In the busy twenty-first century where everyone seems to have more important issues to worry about, God seems to have fallen out of place. People ask themselves if God’s existence is even necessary? To answer this question one must analyse the purpose that God serves to human. In the chaotic human society it is necessary for people to find explanations, boundaries, reassurance and a scapegoat for their actions from a higher being. The purpose that God serves is so important to the human society that even “If God didn’t exist, it would be necessary to invent him.”(Voltaire)
People need explanation
“that the watch must have had a maker: that there must have existed, at some time, and at some place or other, an artificer or artificers, who formed it for the purpose which we find it actually to answer; who comprehended its construction, and designed it use.” (Dawkins)
In a society, it is essential for people to not go overboard with pride and vanity; too much arrogance would lead to destruction, as ever person would feel like they deserve better that others. Therefore a higher being is necessary to serve as a constant reminder that we are not as superior as we think. It is here where God enters the picture, “God has handed us laws and lore, and it’s for us to learn and practice what they teach.” (Kluger). In the article “Is God in Our Genes”, Kluger makes a good point on how the evil side of human nature can be controlled by the guidance of God: “for hell-raising species like ours, however- with too much intelligence for our own good and too little discipline to know what to do with it- there have always been other, more utilitarian reasons to get religion” (Kluger)
people need reassurance
In the chaotic world of the present where everything seems to be heading for disaster, it is necessary for humans to feel reassured that they are being taken care of by a higher being. “some people believe in God because of what appears to them to be an inner revelation. Such revelations are not always edifying but they undoubtedly feel real to the individual concerned.” (Dawkins)
Persinger thinks that there is a good chance that Karl Marx, who said that “religion is the opiate of the masses”, was writing the literal neurochemical truth. (Hercz)
Persinger claims that “our brains are predisposed to generate religious experiences” (Hercz)
“The existence of God is basically irrelevant. The way God is defined – infinite, forever – is an empty hypothesis. You can’t test it one way or another.” (Hercz)
“being religious might be a valuable adaptive stratefy, letting us minimize the fear of death, through the possibility of immortality” (Hercz)
“across the oens, the structure that religion provides our livers helps preserve both mind and body. “(Kluger)
The idea of God has being taken advantage of by those who commit malicious deeds and seeks excuses for their action, convincing themselves and the society that they are not as wicked as their actions would define them as. Examples of such schemes are plenty in history, including the Crusades, Holocausts and jihads. In the article “The Improbability of God”, Dawkins states that “Much of what people do is done in the name of God” (Dawkins). In reality though, one must ask themselves how much of it is done in the name of God for the purpose of worship and how much is done in the name of God for the purpose of personal benefit? Human beings are far from perfect and would act maliciously with or without reasons. Therefore it would be ideal for people if they can create a “safety cushion” to land on when they make these unethical mistakes in order to reassure themselves and others that they are not evil. What better serves this purpose as the all mighty unquestionable God? As stated in the article “Is God in our Genes”, “if we sometimes misuse the idea of our gods – and millenniums of holy wars prove that we do – the benefit of being a spiritual species will surely outweigh the bloodshed.” (Kluger). Those who have done wrong can often feel reassured of themselves and excuse their action for it is done in the name of God. A scapegoat is needed for those who seek excuses for their selfish malevolent action.
To sum up, the purpose that God serves is so important to the human society that even “if God didn’t exist, it would be necessary to invent him.”(Voltaire). In the chaotic society, God offers the human kind explanations, boundaries, reassurance and a scapegoat for their actions.
the fire within ice Community Member 
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