Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

Debating whether God exists is only one aspect of religion. There are far more interesting and important aspects to it, not least the very real needs and concerns that, not only created religion, but continue leading people to it.

Life is uncertain and meaningless, with plenty of suffering and sorrow. Turn away from the world to look inside and we're confronted with a monkey mind with a will all of its own (if you doubt this, try not thinking about anything and focusing purely on your breath for just 5 minutes, see how your mind reacts). Furthermore look at yourself closely and deeply enough and it soon becomes apparent we have no idea who, or even what, we are. And in reaction to so much inner and outer confusion and chaos, is it any wonder we can become anxious, angry, frightened, and unhappy.

Well religion helps combat that unhappiness. It can detach us from both physcial and mental suffering, it can help us tackle the trials of life with strength, and even help us deal with death with calmness and clarity. Furthermore religion can teach us wisdom. Guide us to our better selves, Serve as a wider perspective. Can teach us to reflect. To show tenderness. Generosity. To have compassion. To be tolerant. It helps form communities by bringing people who may not otherwise meet: the sick and the healthy, the rich and the poor, together, to pray, and so reminds us that we all have much more in common than uncommon.

And religion serves as a wonderful catalyst for creativity: the scriptures, the churches, mosques, cathedrals, statues, the poetry and paintings. It has given rise to incredibly beautiful and inspirational art.

If religion is based on an illusion then it's an important illusion and one we shouldn't dispose of until the needs it delivers can be sourced elsewhere. 24 hour TV and rolling news and capitalism and theme parks and science are all very well, but we still need to be comforted, we still have to deal with our frustrated ambitions, we still need to be reminded to give, and we still have to die.


At the end of the day if someone's belief helps them become a better person, does it matter if the belief is fanciful? Is it any different from someone being kept artificially tolerable because they're reliant on medication?

So, yeah, though not a believer myself, I'm very aware of all the good things that stem from religion and suspect the world might be a worse place to be without it.