Prescribing religion or atheism: Second Look

Letter to the editor:

As a theology student at a Catholic university, I’m pleased to learn that my studies are working toward the greater health of humankind, as explained in USA TODAY’s column “Religion may be a miracle drug.” I have always believed that there are mental health benefits to attending religious services. Being surrounded by others, from all walks of life, in a space of peace and tranquility is a magical, transformative experience. Therefore, I’m excited to see that people are finding ways to concretely show the benefits of practicing religion or spirituality.

Members of my generation (Millennials) are far too concerned with needing everything they do to have proof in its merit, and this is why many stray from practicing religion. It will be interesting to see if this leads Millennials to practice religion. Will people go to church to survive a few more years, or will they go to church to live?

Laura Pierson; Louisville

Religion may be a miracle drug: Column

Facebook comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

What about the benefits of not being religious? Such as not being sexually repressed, not having to buy into warped logic, not having to deal with the cognitive dissonance produced by your faith’s clash with reality, and not having to deal with the anxiety and horror of believing that friends and family members will be tortured for eternity by a “loving God” for believing or worshiping incorrectly. Being a “believer” was nothing but mental anguish for me. If you want to enslave yourself to an ancient and bigoted pack of lies so that you can gain a few more years on the planet, have at it. I’ll pass.

— John Elijah