With religion it’s a little different though.

I really find it hard to believe that the people who created those religions were just making up theories. They were doing the same damn thing that cult leaders are doing today. Want power? Tell folks that you know some hidden, secret truth about why they exist. Tell them they have some great purpose and you know what it is.

The cult leader doesn’t have to worry about resources anymore, he doesn’t have to worry about reproducing anymore, and doesn’t have to worry about threats from outside as much anymore. The cult will feed him, breed with him, and protect him with their lives.

I can remember a time when I was young that I could have easily been wrapped up in that shit. I was primed for it by my family’s extreme religiosity and dealing with serious trauma.

I mean, I’m sure that some people in the realm of religion were just coming up with theories, but the winners were the big grifters with big promises.

I agree with you on it not being stupid. It’s hard being a human, and when someone offers eternal peace and an afterlife spent with the people we love, it isn’t dumb to hear him out. It’s not dumb at all. It’s sad.