Pew Research

[Neo-Scholastic]

That cuts both ways. Wanting to escape feelings of shame in this world and the prospect of judgement in the next could also be considered a kind of crutch.

Gosh, ya got me. I'm just soooooooooo bad.

The idea here is that attributing a large group's beliefs or lack thereof to ulterior motives is a problematic generalization. I think calling religious belief is a "crutch" is not totally inaccurate despite the fact that it puts things in the least favorable light. Asking a higher power to give one the strength to persevere and overcome challenges seems, even from a purely psychological perspective, better than thinking you can do it all yourself. No one wants to face hardship alone. Believing that someone has your back can give hope and courage when otherwise all seems lost. Or at least it does me. If that's a crutch then I'll gladly take it.

[brewer]

Gosh, ya got me. I'm just soooooooooo bad.

The idea here is that attributing a large group's beliefs or lack thereof to ulterior motives is a problematic generalization.  With a little more context and insight, someone might be able to see signs of such motives in specific others. I think calling religious belief is a "crutch" is not totally inaccurate despite putting things in the least favorable light. Asking a higher power to give one the strength to persevere and overcome challenges seems, even from a purely psychological persepective, better than thinking one can do it all one's self. No one wants to face hardship alone. Believing that someone has your back can give hope and courage when otherwise all seems lost.

But no one is really there, therefore mental crutch. At best they are tricking themselves.

[The Grand Nudger]

A poor justification.  While the belief that you have support can help your state of mind..and that might help you achieve some task x....that's entirely unrelated to whether or not you actually do have that support...and the belief that you do...no matter what you think provides that support, will either work or it won't regardless.  

You're either going to do x or not do x..but either way, you're doing it all by yourself.

[brewer]

A poor justification.  While the belief that you have support can help your state of mind..and that might help you achieve some task x....that's entirely unrelated to whether or not you actually do have that support...and the belief that you do...no matter what you think provides that support, will either work or it won't regardless.  

You're either going to do x or not do x..but either way, you're doing it all by yourself.

Not necessarily, there is/are support systems that exist in reality.

[Neo-Scholastic]

...there's nothing less humble about believing that this great universe, that has a diameter of 91 billion light-years and has existed for almost 14 billion years, was created explicitly for us.

There's another interpretation. Reflecting on the unfathomable size the universe, the infinitesimal deeps that support it, and the precariousness of human existence makes me feel all the more precious in the eyes of God and grateful for the profound depth of His Love that would make all this for us. That is truly humbling.

[The Grand Nudger]

@brewer
I doubt that's the kind of support anyone is angling for in making such a comment.  

When you learn how to rappel, there's probably going to be a guy standing at the bottom ready to put weight on the ropes.  That's a real support system that really exists.  OTOH, when you're doing it solo..there might be people cheering you on..but none of that cheering puts weight on the ropes.  You might even be borrowing courage. Nevertheless, the ropes are still dangling down there.

[Amarok]

The idea here is that attributing a large group's beliefs or lack thereof to ulterior motives is a problematic generalization.  With a little more context and insight, someone might be able to see signs of such motives in specific others. I think calling religious belief is a "crutch" is not totally inaccurate despite putting things in the least favorable light. Asking a higher power to give one the strength to persevere and overcome challenges seems, even from a purely psychological persepective, better than thinking one can do it all one's self. No one wants to face hardship alone. Believing that someone has your back can give hope and courage when otherwise all seems lost

Utter bullock

[Catholic_Lady]

That cuts both ways. Wanting to escape feelings of shame in this world and the prospect of judgement in the next could also be considered a kind of crutch.

The anecdote to shame is humility, and there's nothing less humble about believing that this great universe, that has a diameter of 91 billion light-years and has existed for almost 14 billion years, was created explicitly for us.

I feel there is no doubt life in other planets as well.

[Whateverist]

Just thought to share fairly recent Pew Research on religious belief in the United States: HERE

What are your take aways?

What interests me, is the 9% who do NOT believe in God but still DO believe in some kind of higher spiritual force. Not sure what to make of that whether it includes deists, Wicca, or Platonists. This quote seems not to illuminate that statistic much:

...it is clear from questions elsewhere in the survey that Americans who say they believe in God “as described in the Bible” generally envision an all-powerful, all-knowing, loving deity who determines most or all of what happens in their lives. By contrast, people who say they believe in a “higher power or spiritual force” – but not in God as described in the Bible – are much less likely to believe in a deity who is omnipotent, omniscient, benevolent and active in human affairs.

So those who do not believe in god could potentially fall into multiple categories depending on if they accept 1 or 2 out of 3 of the all-powerful, all-knowing, and good God. That's a lot of options (I'll let others do the math).

Heck, that might even include me.  I don't believe in any higher power that is an entity in itself or transpersonal, but I do think there are layers of the psyche one should venerate.  I don't think there is anything to which one should abandon oneself.  There is never a good reason to abdicate to anything or anyone, whether out there or in here.  But some respect and humility toward the mystery is appropriate.  Even if we are very confident and happy with ourselves, we do better to reflect longer and assert less readily.

---

The anecdote to shame is humility, and there's nothing less humble about believing that this great universe, that has a diameter of 91 billion light-years and has existed for almost 14 billion years, was created explicitly for us.

I feel there is no doubt life in other planets as well.

Well sure, on other planets.  But what about Texas?  Any indications yet of intelligent life there?[/pulling your leg]

[Amarok]

Turning to something else is foolish people should learn to find courage within . And even more foolish is turning to something that you have reason to believe is there. There are no noble lies only lies .