Reply #33: Yes. The psychological phenomena of faith. [View All]

[Naturyl]

That is where the comparison to religion comes in, and that is where are the danger is.

Faith is highly valued and celebrated in our society, because it makes people's lives seem meaningful and worthwhile in ways nothing else can. But there is a cost for that feeling - a big one. Faith is irrational and dangerous. It flies planes into buildings. It conducts Inquisitions, Crusades, and burnings. People of faith will defend beliefs that make their lives seem meaningful and worthwhile very fiercely - sometimes even to the death.

And that's why I choose to remain miserable a good bit of the time, even though I know that there are any number of faith-based beliefs that might make me feel much better about things. The cost and the danger is just too high.