[reagency]

The article takes a different tenor when you consider that is not a story about how the author came to logically prove that theism is more likely than atheism, but it is about how the author come to feel that being a theist is a better life than being atheist. Religion is a powerful idea, not because it is true (that cannot be proven) but because in its best form it is psychologically extremely useful.

[Retra]

Is it actually useful, though? Sure, people will say it is useful, but what can they do to demonstrate that?

[dagw]

From personal experience, very much so. I really miss the spiritual and mental calm and resilience that the faith of my youth brought me. I have several personal examples of where prayer brought me the calm and clarity I needed to focus my mind to get through tough situations.

Once I realize it wasn't true and stopped believing all that went away, and in some ways I still mourn that.

[zbyte64]

Placebos are useful.