Hi guys,

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I have long held the belief, and it seems to be backed up by substantial evidence, that motivating people away from something is a harder sell than getting someone to join a cause. For example, telling people that they should not be religious because it makes no sense when the alternative is something closer to "join our community and live forever in la la land, in happiness and peace". Given these two approaches, I can see why some would choose the later, as irrational as the delusion of a religion is.

Religious institutions also offer symbology which appeals to core brain functions and the limbic system, simplified rules which allow people to teach these rules to the infirm and children, traditions which help to build/bind communities, and rituals that serve to remind people of the importance of affiliation and to engage members such that they feel compelled to renew their spiritual experiences (which is eventually replaced by habits).

Are there non-religious groups that serve the same purposes or at least most of these? Do we need to form an anti-religion and call it something different (pro-logic, pro-rationalism, realist-movement, etc) such that people have a positive message to cling to, a replacement for their religious habit. Think of it like Nicorette for religion. These kinds of community organizations would give people something to which to dedicate their lives, to build institutions, to supplant religion with something else positive?

Am I even making sense?