There is a very humanitarian need for people to believe in something together, because it can unite them and protect them from one another.

To me religious beliefs are somewhat irrational, because nothing in the physical, scientific world can prove it is valid. Only our philosophical arguments can provide valid reasons for our behaviors and laws to reflect our beliefs, based on assumed things about the higher dimensions of reality.

Growing up with Christian religious beliefs (and later in life dumping much of it), I have certain irrational golden standards I still obey, even though I have fallen away from believing the myth stories were literal or authentic. Although I could succeed, for my own gain, much easier by adopting self gain strategies in life, I believe that would ultimately be a loss. To take shortcuts in life by tearing down others, our obstacles/competition, it sets us up for a legacy of tearing society apart, rather than building it up. Our character of the primal nature would let others die for short term advantages, yet real character growth occurs when we give up something to help others, so that instead they might succeed in the long term. Parenting 101.

Fascinating read. Yes, I do hope the modern generation comes around and sees that family starts with the heart. A family bound by a uniting spiritual love for one another is much deeper and fulfilling than a family that only exists for mutual self gain, and pleasure gratification (ie. affection from children or spouse).

Nations can be united in the same way, uniting under the protective wing of a common belief. They can be better together by trusting in the same ultimate source to act courageously for gains that will reverberate long after the death of a single individual.

Whereas an atheist nation can grasp concepts of equality, sharing, and majority rule, individuals may not understand why it is to their own personal advantage to allow others who are failing to have more advantages given by the sacrifices of others. Any particular individual is therefore more suspected of acting with personal self interest at their core, because it is assumed they do not believe in truths that transcend their personal reality goals.