Why Do Otherwise Intelligent People Succomb to Religion?

[jenny1972]

I think it hinges primarily on the emotions surrounding hope.  Why are you sad when you go to a funeral?  What questions go through your mind?  Logic and reason certainly play a part, but don't discount the part emotions play in our decision making.  You want to know your loved one is in a better place and not suffering, it brings comfort to you.  That's emotional, not rational.  I'm speaking purely about "religion" and not "belief in God" as I think the distinction is important.  Einstein believed in an impersonal deity, but not religion of any kind.  Religion is solely to do with doctrine associated to a deity.  Religion offers answers to perhaps otherwise unanswerable questions, or answers that bring more comfort than alternatives.

Where does my baby go when she died?  Religion says she is in Heaven, this indescribable place of pure joy that you are free to allow your imagination to fill.  Non-religious answer says, she will slowly rot and decay in the ground or be ashes spread on the dirt or sea, nothing more.  It's empty and hollow and doesn't fulfill your emotional damage with your loss.  

Religion fills emotional voids.  Intelligence, though it does play a factor, is not the primary reason for accepting religion.

you can believe that there is God and some kind of afterlife without believing in organized religion . but i do agree that religion meets an emotional need but more it is the need and the sense of security from thinking they have the mysteries of the universe all figured out . humans are naturally problem solvers and we dont like mysteries . putting everything in a neat little package is satisfying and comforting.