Yes, I'm very serious here. Apart from crooks, fanatics and other vocal minorities, the religious people I met have several advantages. One, more mundane, is a sense of community which works best in smaller groups. Second, a sense of purpose in life and a kind of reference point. Third, when a darker period comes, a source of strength to go through it.
Religion is a payday loan against reality. As someone that grew up in a religious household, I am certain that no matter how well-intentioned people are, someone is going to have to foot the bill.
It is very unfortunate that religion associated itself with miracles a lot, which are perfectly incompatible with science.
It turns out to be pretty hard to come up with a religion that has your listed advantages, and which does not break down under the critical views of science. Ironically, the “God” concept is in the clear, but the bible needs a serious overhaul to be trustworthy again.
> It is very unfortunate that religion associated itself with miracles a lot, which are perfectly incompatible with science.
And yet, there are religious scientists. Just like you can separate your work and personal life, you can separate your religious/spiritual/mental beliefs from your rest of self. You don't need to "prove" the religion to be true for it to be useful.
You know what they say about models and their correctness?
None of the advantages you list require belief in the supernatural, or the absolute truth of some sacred thousand-year old text. It's only due to deep cultural conditioning that people assume religion is necessary for community, a sense of purpose or resilience. However, the world is filled with religious people who lack these qualities and non-religious people who possess them.
The absolute last thing we need for mental health care is a paradigm that considers demon possession or the wrath of an angry God to be legitimate concerns.
Yes, I'm very serious here. Apart from crooks, fanatics and other vocal minorities, the religious people I met have several advantages. One, more mundane, is a sense of community which works best in smaller groups. Second, a sense of purpose in life and a kind of reference point. Third, when a darker period comes, a source of strength to go through it.