New theistic chew toys wanted!

[Spongebob]

I do think religion can serve a role in making a sad person happy. This is argued for by William James in Varieties of Religious Experience. I found his argument convincing. Mind you, he doesn't argue that religion is necessary for happiness. But he does argue that the contingent world gives some people the shaft... or that there are rarified depressive states. In these instances, belief can be instrumental in carrying one from unhappiness to happiness. He is careful to point out that there ARE other ways... he just argues that belief is one tool in that toolbox.

I'm also curious if you have any opinions about nontheistic religions (such as Taoism). Just curious what your perspective is there.... as an aside...

I haven't studied Taoism.  But I have Buddhism.  Happiness isn't really related to Buddhism either unless you associate contentment and peace with happiness.  It becomes difficult to nail down.  In many ways I think of happiness as a very modern invention.

When I think about people relieving themselves of unhappy thoughts, depression, anxiety and so forth, there is most certainly an aspect of relief and contentment.  Just getting that shit off your back can feel like you're airborne.  I don't really consider this happiness but I don't undervalue it.  I have personal experience with this.