Is religion necessary in humanity

I could argue for Religion on the merits of Faith in the Divine and its necessity for the Soul. But while I believe these, I"m not interested in pursuing any of them today. I"m interested in proving the necessity of Religion by more material elements of proof. What is its practical impact for the individual? What is it good for? Disease is not all that different no matter where it"s found whether in the human body, the human psyche or within human culture. It saps the hardy health of the body. It takes away our energy, leaving us ill-prepared for active participation in life. It creates chemical or mental imbalances. It disintegrates and destroys. It is truly the closest companion of death. I suggest that Religion acts as an immune system within the individual"protecting him against depression and anxiety. Religion is necessary for the prevention and cure of Depression and anxiety in the individual. Duke University Professor Mark Chaves wrote a paper entitled "The Decline of American Religion?" noting a steady decline in Religious affiliations and ties in America since the 1960s with a more marked decline since 1990. Jean Twenge of Sand Diego State University published a paper noting a dramatic increase in anxiety and depression in young people since the 1950s (A Cross Temporal Meta-Analysis of the MMPI). Interestingly, she noted the shift in young peoples goals. They shifted from "intrinsic" goals (developing a meaningful philosophy of life in large part) in the 1950s to "extrinsic" (material rewards and others opinions) in modern times. I would assert that there is no better tool for the instilment of a meaningful "philosophy of life" in young people than a Religion taught them from the time they are born. I would also argue, in addition, that by definition #4 of your proffered definition for Religion that all philosophies of life whether individual or collective are included within said definition. Therefore this "Philosophy of Life" this preventative measure against depression"which 21 million Americans are now depressed by the way and it is the 11th leading killer in our country"is identical to your definition of Religion. This is what people desperately need and yet you want to take it from them? It is the immune system that prevents the rampant disease of depression, but you would say that it is not necessary that it is a pipe dream, a fancy? :shakes head: Not only is Religion an excellent preventative against depression and anxiety and all the pain and death that those diseases cause, but it also provides an excellent treatment for those afflictions. In 1907 the noted Psychologist and Philosopher William James (brother of the novelist Henry James) published a book entitled "The Varieties of Religious Experience". In this book he noted the ability of Religion to provide a particularly uplifting and beneficial emotion an "enthusiastic temper of espousal". I myself have noted this very emotion upon attending services and I have also noted a particular side effect it has"it makes my own depression disappear for several hours. But don"t take my word for it, James noted this same propensity in his studies. He noted several cases, even including that of the novelist Tolstoy, who somewhere in their lives (and often as in Tolstoy"s case when they are in possession of all of the money they can ever use and all the fruits of a life well lived) all the happiness and satisfaction simply falls out of them and in these matters which they once found so much joy. Money, prestige, family they all seem petty vanities and the lives they built become "dry as dust". Tolstoy contemplated suicide, many do and unfortunately many accomplish it. What is to be done for these poor people? James noted the solution from Tolstoy"s own life. Tolstoy underwent a conversion"a complete and total conversion he was rescued by Religion. There are many stories of such conversions. But, James noted, "the Deliverance must come in as strong a form as the complaint," in order for this to succeed. Given the depths of these depressions there can be no truly effective curative than 1. A Religion with its strength in a church and people outside of that of the weak sufferer to help pull him through, and 2. A Religion that transcends the material conditions which often afflicted him in the first place. While all Religions possess the preventative mentioned above, fewer possess the curative mentioned here"although I would suggest it can be found in both Western Religions and in some of those stemming from the Far East. How can you say that these aspects of Religion are not necessary to people in our society? A prevention and a curative for Depression and Anxiety should be seen as a boon, instead it"s seen as an evil. I would suggest that Religion may be treated, for those who distrust seeing more, at least as a tool both for their own psychic well being and for that of their fellow men and women. I would also suggest, given the growing evidentiary support for Religion (I haven"t even mentioned studies on the positive aspects of prayer), that denying its necessity appears more and more as the true conceit, the true fancy, the true fairy tale. But then perhaps we may make our own Pride as our Stars in the heavens, our Sun and Moon, our Holy Vale and worship it as the "savages" once worshipped their Stars in the heavens, their Sun and Moon and their Holy Vale. Perhaps we do and I wonder which is the more pernicious error?