Religion is not always a crutch

Wednesday 15 February 2023

Anecdotal impression: religion should be a crutch, a support system. And yet, it seems to me that especially religious people suffer when confronted with loss and adversity.

I’ve seen christian guilt like: “Why am I being punished—I must be a horrible person.” Or: “I must have done something horrible to deserve such punishment.” Or more generally “why” questions. “Why does God allow X?” Etc.

It seems to me like seeing that lions eat zebras alive, seeing how horrible that is, but refusing to accept the fundamental amorality of most of the animal kingdom (and by extension the universe). Not acknowledging that evolution through natural selection is blind and without purpose. Not acknowledging that morality is limited to the human domain (often with in-group-out-group exceptions) and perhaps a few other social animals.

Wishful thinking and the disappointment when those wishes don’t come through.

Some religious people keep repeating the mantra: God has a plan, God has a plan. Or cling to the idea of being reunited in heaven. But in less traditional societies and minds that doesn’t work. Doubt sets in. And adds torment instead of support. Does religion as a rule only work as long as the setbacks are relatively small?

I wonder.