Most religious practices are developed for the alleviation of guilt. You
could even say that that’s really all prayer is: miniature episodes of guilt
alleviation. You don’t pray to God to say, “Fuck, yeah. I’m awesome!” No.
Prayer is like a gratitude journal before there were gratitude journals:
“Thanks, God, for letting me exist, even though it sucks to be me sometimes.
I’m sorry I thought and did all those bad things.” Boom! Sense of guilt
absolved, at least for a while.
Ideological religions handle the guilt question far more efficiently than
spiritual ones. Nations direct people’s feelings of existential guilt toward
service—“Our country gave you these opportunities, so put on a damn
uniform and fight to protect them.” Right-wing ideologies usually perceive
necessary sacrifice in terms of protecting one’s country and family. Left-wing
ideologies usually see necessary sacrifice as giving up for the greater good of
all society.
Finally, in interpersonal religions, sacrificing oneself generates a sense of
romance and loyalty. (Think about marriage: I mean, you stand at an altar and
promise to give your life to this other person.) We all struggle with the sense
that we deserve to be loved. Even if your parents were awesome, you
sometimes wonder, wow, why me? What did I do to deserve this?
Interpersonal religions have all sorts of rituals and sacrifices designed to make
people feel they deserve to be loved. Rings, gifts, anniversaries, wiping the
piss off the floor when I miss the toilet—it’s the little things that add up to
one big thing. You’re welcome, honey.