Even if you choose not to believe in god, you’re actually believing in god

[Esquilax]

Yeah, there are people out there who actually believe that they will be awarded "crowns" . . . riches . . . bigger mansions . . . in heaven for saving souls.  They get all ecstatic at the thought of having a bigger mansion in heaven  - -  apparently there will be class distinctions there too.  Sky Daddy will love some of 'em better than others, in heaven just like on earth.

It's actually a pretty ingenious racket: sure, just being a member of the in-group will get you your reward, but if you're aggressive in attempting to expand the in-group, there's a super special extra reward waiting for you! The blanket forgiveness for sin- which christianity needs to grant in order to be necessary at all- on its own breeds complacency, and there needs to be some spice for the pot in order to make those ideas vital and infectious.