Religion can be a real head-scratcher for non-believers. From praying to invisible beings to following ancient rules, some traditions can seem downright bizarre to those outside the faith. In this list, I’ll get into 18 religious customs that leave non-believers puzzled and asking, “Why?”
1. Speaking in Tongues
Some churches have people talking in weird languages. They say it’s a special gift from God. Nobody knows what they’re saying, not even the person talking. Sometimes someone else says they can translate it. Atheists think it’s just made-up gibberish and wonder why people do it. They also question why a god would communicate in such a confusing way.
2. Handling Snakes
A few churches use poisonous snakes in their services. They believe God will protect them from getting bitten. If someone does get bitten, they think it means their faith wasn’t strong enough. Atheists see this as super dangerous and pointless. They wonder why anyone would risk their life for this. Some even argue that these practices should be illegal to protect people from harm.
3. Not Eating Certain Foods
Some religions have rules about what you can and can’t eat. Like not eating pork or only eating fish on Fridays. They say these rules come from God or their holy books. Atheists don’t get why God would care about what’s on your plate. They think it’s silly to limit your diet because of old rules. Many also point out that these food rules often don’t make sense in modern times with our understanding of nutrition.
4. Fasting
Many religions ask people to go without food for a while. Sometimes it’s for a day, sometimes for weeks. They say it helps you focus on God or be a better person. Atheists think it’s weird to starve yourself on purpose. They worry it might even be bad for your health. Some argue that there are better ways to show dedication or improve yourself without risking your well-being.
5. Holy Water
Some religions use special water they call “holy.” They say a priest or leader can bless regular water to make it sacred. They think it can protect them from evil or cure sickness. Atheists don’t see how water could change just by someone saying words over it. They wonder why people believe plain water suddenly gets magic powers. Some worry that relying on holy water might stop people from getting real medical help when they need it.
6. Animal Sacrifice
A few religions kill animals as part of their worship. They think it makes their god happy or takes away their sins. Sometimes they eat the animal after, sometimes they don’t. Atheists see this as cruel and messy. They don’t understand why a god would want dead animals. They also question the ethics of killing animals for religious reasons in a world where many people are trying to reduce animal suffering.
7. Faith Healing
Some religious people think they can cure sickness by praying. They might refuse medicine and just rely on faith. Sometimes they have big meetings where a preacher touches sick people. Atheists worry this is dangerous and stops people from getting real help. They think it’s better to trust doctors and science. There have been cases where people died because they chose faith healing over medical treatment, which atheists find tragic and preventable.
8. Wearing Special Clothes
Many religions have rules about what to wear…like always covering your head or never cutting your hair. Some clothes are just for praying or going to religious places. Atheists don’t get why God would care about fashion. They think people should wear what they want. Some also point out that these clothing rules can sometimes lead to discrimination or make it hard for people to fit in with society.
9. Arranged Marriages
Some religions let parents choose who their kids will marry. They think this is better than falling in love on your own. Sometimes, the couple doesn’t even meet until their wedding day. Atheists think this is unfair and takes away people’s choices. They believe everyone should pick their own partner. They also worry that arranged marriages can lead to unhappy relationships or even abuse when people are forced to marry someone they don’t know or like.
10. Confession
In some churches, people tell a priest all the bad things they’ve done. The priest then says God forgives them. This happens in a special booth for privacy. Atheists wonder why you need a middleman to talk to God. They also think it’s weird to tell your secrets to a stranger. Some worry that this practice could be used to manipulate people or cover up serious crimes.
11. Exorcism
Some religious folks think evil spirits can take over people. They try to force these spirits out with special prayers or rituals. Sometimes this can get pretty intense and scary. Atheists think this is make-believe and can hurt people. They say it’s better to get help from a doctor for weird behavior. There have been cases where people were seriously injured or even died during exorcisms, which atheists see as a dangerous consequence of this belief.
12. Tithing
Many churches ask people to give them money regularly. They usually want about 10% of what you earn. They say this money is for God and to help others. Atheists think it’s fishy that God always needs cash. They wonder why churches need so much money. Some point out that this practice can be especially harmful to poor people who give money they can’t afford to spare.
13. Door-to-Door Preaching
Some religions send people to knock on strangers’ doors. They try to talk about their beliefs and maybe get new members. This often happens early in the morning or on weekends. Atheists find this super annoying and pushy. They don’t like having religion forced on them at home. Many also see it as an invasion of privacy and question why religions feel the need to recruit in this way.
14. Praying for Parking Spots
Some religious people pray for tiny things, like finding a good parking spot. They think God cares about these small details of their lives. If they get a spot, they say it’s because God answered them. Atheists think this is silly and self-centered. They wonder why God would ignore big problems to help with parking. They also point out that this kind of thinking can lead people to ignore real-world solutions to problems.
15. Sacred Cows
In some places, cows are seen as holy animals. People let them wander around freely, even in busy cities. They never eat beef and treat cows super well. Atheists find it strange to worship an animal like this. They wonder why one animal gets special treatment over others. Some also point out that having cows roam freely can cause problems like traffic accidents and public health issues in crowded urban areas.
16. Speaking to the Dead
A few religions think they can talk to people who have died. They might use special tools or have a person who can “hear” the dead. They think this brings comfort to those left behind. Atheists see this as a trick that preys on sad people. They say it’s better to remember loved ones in other ways. Some worry that this practice can prevent people from properly grieving and moving on with their lives.
17. Not Using Technology
Some religious groups don’t use modern tech like cars or phones. They think simpler living is what God wants. This can make life pretty hard in today’s world. Atheists don’t understand why God would be against new inventions. They think it’s weird to make life harder on purpose. They also point out that avoiding technology can limit education and job opportunities, especially for young people in these communities.
18. Believing in Hell
Many religions say bad people go to a place called Hell when they die. They say it’s full of fire and torture that lasts forever. This is meant to scare people into being good. Atheists think this is a mean idea that doesn’t make sense. They don’t get why a loving God would torture people forever. Some argue that the fear of Hell can cause serious anxiety and mental health issues, especially in children.
17 Astounding Historic Sites in Europe That Will Surprise You
17 Astounding Historic Sites in Europe That Will Surprise You
Wanderer’s Log: 18 Best Countries to Visit This Summer
