Have some faith! Religion just hasn’t been dealt the death blow bright minds like Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins were going for. If our science-loving brains slip into the realm of belief and we don’t manage to wrestle our way out, all is not lost: Religion might be a nice protection from depression for ourselves and our offspring.
Others among us appreciate religion for its traditions: Grandma and Grandpa used to light candles at a set time and so do we. We might be too enlightened to believe, but decorating a tree with festive ornaments is a yearly tradition that keeps us grounded. Wearing religious garbs can give us a sense of belonging.
Indulge in a religious cocktail
As a Catholic I’m marrying into a religious family of another faith and initially switching to the new religion seemed like the sensible thing to do, given my appreciation for randomness. Think of all the random interactions a religious switch can bring!
But then I thought about the other side: Giving up Catholicism. Why would I give it up?
Did you know that if you are simultaneously Catholic and Orthodox you get to celebrate Christmas, Easter, and even New Year’s twice?
Taking this further: Maybe you are an Islamic Jew and blow everyone’s mind at the restaurant, making sure your food is kosher-halal with great urgency, while still believing in the same God.
In fact, why do parents choose between religions for their children? Go with both and see if anything sticks versus atheism’s formidable competition.
Don’t let it rise to your head
What about Grandma and Grandpa? Should I come out as a newly minted Muslim Presbyterian and give them a heart attack?
No need. Religion is deeply personal—it’s inherently a private affair. You can choose which side of your faith to reveal to whom. Why not be opportunistic about it when visiting your potential in-laws (or border control)?
Propagation anxiety
Will God mind if you mix and match religious traditions and even dabble in polytheism? I asked, and I can confidently tell you: God does not mind.
Of course, millennia-old teachings only reached us because they were written down and encapsulated in organized religion fiercely protective of the specific scripture. That’s how religions were successfully propagated. Wars were fought, taxes were levied and witches were burnt to keep religions pure.
So yeah, might mess a bit with this time-tested procreation recipe if we become Orthojews or even Muslim Shinto-Cats. ✌️