well i believe in God and when you think about it, it's safer to be religious. if you don't believe in God and you die and there is a God, then you burn in Hell forever. But if you believe in God, die, and there is no God, then you're just as dead as everybody else and you wouldn't know the difference anyway. but if you do believe in God, and there is a God when you die, then you have a better chance of enjoying the afterlife. so, by believing in God you're at least covering your ass in case He does exist. see my point? but then of course you have to obey the religion's teachings in order to get to the positive afterlife.