The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Why are beings drawn to one another? Why do we feel the urge to bond with other beings?

Is it our need to feel part of something bigger than ourselves or is it the simple need to breed?

I like how lordess presented it. In a manner it is herding to seek the company of others. it not only provides companionship, but also pools resources. Both elements of survival.

Yet, human beings have an inherent spiritual and religious nature. The vast majority of people on Earth pursue some form of spiritual or religious truth. Most human beings have deep-seated religious beliefs and engage in intricate religious ritual. Pursuit of God or the transcendental is a defining characteristic of mankind and is evidenced in such common practices as prayer and worship--so much so that some have designated humans as homo religious--"religious man." By contrast, formal atheism is largely inconsistent with the overall history of human nature and practice. Even professed nonbelievers (atheists, skeptics) pursue questions concerning life's ultimate meaning and purpose and are drawn to whatever they consider to be of ultimate importance and value. Philosopher Harold H. Titus has said that even agnostics and atheists "tend to replace a personal god with an impersonal one--the state, race, some process in nature, or devotion to the search for truth or some other ideal.

Therefore, the need to understand death would be another draw.

The majority of people who get involved in religions go so for the social element. In some cases it is even peer, and cultural pressures.

Superstition is fading, and losing it's footing with man. Religious minded people are actually a minority. Anyway I fail to see how your comment relates to the actual original question.

Unless you meant why are people drawn to religion. Or why are people drawn to like minded religious people.

Religion does draw us to each other and so does the emptiness of not understanding death.

I would not say it's Religion. It is more an issue of Faith, it seems to me. Religion seems to be too strong a term. I was drawn to this community because of Faith. Faith opens up many doors. Religion closes them.

Yet, is it another factor in why we are drawn to each other?

What draws a person in is the pitch of the preacher, or the cultural indoctrination. The "fear of death" is a lame argument when it is usually the religions that pitch death as a negative experience unless one is converted, or enlightened. Religions started with primitive man making gods to explain natural functions of the Earth, and even their god were subject to mortal folly, and whimsy.

So it is the religious that fear death, fear it so much that they hardly ever stray from their belief once they convert.

I hear it all the time from believers. "Your just to afraid to believe." Again a lame declaration. It suggest that the only reason people covert, or seek enlightenment is for the insurance policy.

I think you are overlooking the social appeal of religion as a major factor in what fills the pews, temples, and synagogs.

Besides most religious follower are atheistic as well, there are plenty of other gods, and isms that they are not receiving, subscribing to, or believing. It is just that full blown atheist take it one god further.

Great point, dabbler. What pleases the masses that they cannot resist but keep coming back for more. The allure of the social aspect is a good ground as well.

Yes, Doru, that would be a deep-seated emotional/spiritual attraction. Especially if you're talking about deeply spiritual beings. This would entail that their spirituality permeates every asoect of their lives. So an attraction is inevitable, I guess. :)

So to the spiritual appeal I would be more open to. Which takes us back to cultural predisposition, and peer influence. If a person sees a convert content, then they are likely to convert, as well, not as an obligation, but out of opportunity to find the state of being that appealed to them in the convert.

I think that too many religious fundamentalist are oblivious to the fact that not all converts stay devoted, and diligent believers. Some leave for other isms, or for not beliefs at all.

tho we all inhabit but one world, our own, we have an inate Need to connect; within the whole their are many who feel as we do and, if we're lucky, our worlds will connect with theirs...

I liked this article, this thread has me surfing research.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/love/why-do-we-fall-in-love.htm

Here's another good article.

Excerpt.

Q: What’s the difference between love and lust?
Dr. Fisher: Lust generally dissipates after having sex and returns hours or days later. You can feel it for several people at the same time and not necessarily feel jealous. But when you’re in love, you are very possessive. And romantic feelings don’t dissipate after having sex; in fact, they can intensify.
http://www.chemistry.com/datingadvice/LoveExplained

The soul recognizes the soul.
Energy recognizes energy.
Some people may not see it or realize it at first, but once you come to the understanding of how it relates or connects together, you begin to understand why the "pull" or "lure" is there.
It is in my opinion, by laws of attraction, it exists.