The New Road

The Power of Religion

One of the proofs that I often hear from believers in God is that he has "moved in my life". I'm sure that their life was moved. But by God? Why not just chalk it up to what it is:

• Positive thought: The power of thinking positively is amazing. When you believe you can do something, you can do it. If you keep telling yourself you can't, then you won't.
• Letting go of the past: Being 'born again' or a confession provides a point at which someone can say, I leave the past behind me, and now I'm starting over again all new.
• Community: A church is instant friends who all believe in the same things you do.
• Answers: Instead of providing tough answers and more questions, religion provides simple answers to huge problems. And it provides answers to the ultimate question, where I go when I die.
• Enemies: You get a canned set of people to blame your troubles on; gays, jews, atheists, muslims, etc.

The first two of these are the most important. Positive thinking is critical in having a happy life. And letting go of the past is just as important. You can't change the past, what you can change is what you do next. The future.

These are just universal. You don't have to believe that God did this. Just you. And isn't that more satisfying?

Update: Another powerful element is the feeling of superiority and specialness that religion provides. You are superior because you are going to heaven. And you are special because God has a plan for you. This specifically the thing that a pastor in Jesus Camp uses to influence kids to believe in Christianity.