Why Religion Is Useful and Important

If there's anyone that bashes on organized religion, that's me. I'm not afraid to question tradition, point out flaws, or conclude that there's no such thing as a perfect religion. But, as I believe in balance, there are pros when it comes to religion, just as there are cons.

Why's it useful and important? Because it'll save us from eternal damnation? Because it'll help us see our own destiny? Because the path of God can only be shown and seen through religion? No. It's useful and important because it gives people something to believe in. It gives people motivation to do all they can in this life, for they will be rewarded in the next one. It gives people an outlet for all that's going on in their lives. It gives people answers to questions that will never be solved. It gives people a reason to live life, even in the worst of times.

I'd say approximately 9 in 10 people believe in a superior power (God). Can you imagine if it was proven beyond a reasonable doubt that there was no superior power and that there was no afterlife? When we passed, that was it? Suicide rates would increase. Violent crime rates would increase. Religion was composed much like laws- to keep people in line. Without laws and religion, there'd be no order, and chaos would be the end result.

The belief in God and an afterlife makes it easier to wake up every morning and push forward with one's agenda. It gives one more motivation to live a good life, as opposed to a selfish one. It gives a group of people something rejoice, smile about, and believe in, and I think that's necessary. It doesn't matter if someone is confused on what it is they truly believe, if they're set in stone on what it is they believe, or if they're wavering between a couple different belief systems, as long as there's definitive belief somewhere in their system, then that's what counts. Those who have no belief at all seem to be the least optimistic, the least motivated, and lost unlike any other.