God is a psychological Need
In C.E.M. Joad's essay "How Religion Arose, and Why it Flourished," Religion is described as a “psychological need.” Joad explains that we use God as a comfort device. Religious people look to God to abolish their fears that they may have. Joad argues that people are simply afraid of death. Joad claims believing in God is a security blanket; that God will protect them in death. I do not believe that religion is just a psychological device to make our lives better. I have faith and believe in God for the miracles he performs and guidance he provides in my life.
C.E.M. Joad goes on to say that people invented God to fill a need. Joad writes, "Thus the great religions of the world are not theology, but psychology; witnesses, not to the attributes of God, but to the inventive faculty of man"(Joad 172). In other words Joad says people invented religion to psychologically help cope with fear rather than have faith and praise God for all he has done for us. For example, these are the people who only pray when they hit a rough spot in their lives and seek consolation, as opposed to those avid believers who pray everyday, good or bad. Religion does comfort us when we are afraid and when ask God for help we feel a sense of hope. God is looked at as a powerful force that can save us from the things that may hurt us or may fear us in the world. If you look to the Bible you will find that God is here for us and will apply comfort to our lives. One verse that supports this statement is Psalm 23:4, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Another way God works for us is when we are lonely and/or needs safety. Again Joad believes that ...