Sunday, July 8, 2012

On the Purpose of Religion: Comfort

There is nothing quite like the comfort that religion gives to people. The troubles of the past, present, and future are taken away by the magical hope of the afterlife or reincarnation. The terrifying unknowns of darkness, death, and the currently unexplainable are answered. The loneliness and sorrows of life are ameliorated by the unconditional(?) love of a powerful supernatural being and the tremendous support of a unified religious community. I don't know of any other mechanism to provide such comprehensive and deep hope and comfort, and it is perhaps the trait I admire most.

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