Barry, I did believe in God. Then did not, although always held out hope that there was God. Then doubted the TM concept of Being, or my take on it. The slightly more abstract concept works better for me. But when I give up even Being or some sort of sense of a fundamental energy that does structure life in the universe, then I feel some real sadness. Been struggling with this for years now - wanting to believe in something out there, something good and loving, while reading all the brain stuff about how we can nudge our brains to shift a bit and then see and feel things that seem spiritual/religious/universal/blissful/loving/farout. I think much of the struggle, for me, is giving up the idea that there is a soul and it evolves from life to life. I really really want that to be true! For me, a bit of magical thinking makes me happier. Recently, I have let it all go and given up on the intellectual struggle and just settled into knowing that there are ideas and "beliefs" that make me feel good, a deep inside my gut feeling of "ok." So that is where I am now - believing "more" than I did the last 20 years, but not reverting back entirely to the TM and preTM days. I will continue to read all the brain stuff and enjoy it, but somehow I don't feel there is as much of a contradiction between that and having some beliefs that assume the universe is not only orderly but a bit caring, somehow. How Somehow? I don't know. The key is accepting "not knowing" - which leaves lots of wiggle room and flexibility.
So, I do think there are benefits to believing - if not in God, then in something that gives extra meaning to our lives. Things are hard here, people suffer, they get sick, lose loved ones, are hungry and cold. You know. If belief in God or anything makes life seem softer, or gives people hope, then it can be a good thing. and if there really is nothing at all there and we rejoin the swirling soup of particles that make up the the universe, then having some wishful thinking beliefs to soften the journey thru human life does have benefits. Community, rituals, comfort, feeling protected, giving reasons for the harshness which makes it easier to bear. We all know when religion is not a good thing - if that belief narrows down the heart. But if the beliefs open wide the person's behavior and thoughts, I think it is a great thing. Something I would never want to take away from them. I think you can be Christian or Jewish or whatever, believe it all, and yet still be open and accepting. This is good for some people. Again, I think the key is being able to accept "not knowing for sure," even with religion. If the believer has some humility about their knowledge and beliefs, and can admit to not knowing for sure about the details, then it can work well. I have friends who don't believe at all, in anything. They are wonderful people, ethical, generous, liberal. Yo But believing in something or being religious does not have to mean you are a fundamentalist wackadoodle, either. Most people I know who are religious are not offended by atheism. Uncomfortable, maybe. But not defensive.
