Is there another motivation for christian belief?

[Angrboda]

I think it's more that we as a social species have a toolbox of cognitive primitives, like the concept of an invisible mind, or the belief in the permanence of our consciousness. Concepts incorporating the tools in this toolbox can be acquired like second nature. I think that it may be the ease with which we are able to appropriate these concepts makes it easy to believe there is a truthful reality behind them. They are built on the concepts and behaviors which cause socializing to provoke desirable feelings. It seems an easy slope to slide down, graduating from the comfort one acquires when indulging these tools to a belief that there must be a reality behind them. In short, they are motivated by a search for truth, but the positive reinforcement which accompanies engaging in religious thoughts and behaviors greases the slide toward those particular truths.

I think fear is a non-issue initially. I think initially, the cognitive rewards of religious practice overshadow any abstract contemplation of consequences. Even after adopting faith, believers tend to think along the lines of, "I'm okay, but the other guy might not be." I think that fear probably enters into it only once you contemplate abandoning belief. When you still believe enough to feel that the consequences are real.