Maybe this is just the aspergers talking, but a while back someone said "religon is little more than man made comfort for the soul" When I was an atheist I heard simillar comments, but could not for the life of me understand how anyone who beclieved in good and bad consequences after death could find that comforting. I took more comfort in and was a firm believer of the idea of an eternal no uncertain risk/reward ratio, especially in contrast to the possibility of eternal suffering. I'm a huge fan of comfort, especiallly my own. If someone was absolutely sure they had no soul to risk, how could that not be comforting compared to the possibity of eternal discomfort? The worse thing you could feel is a little sad that it will all come to an end, and when the end comes then no more sadness. Some religions are comforting, especially the ones that are able to parse away anything personally objectionable, but in my experience real life doesn't naturally follow a path leading to personal happiness or comfort. In fact,I was much happier when I didn't bother to think about it. But if there is a door I'll be passing through after death, I would rather find out about now, while I have time to prepare for it. I don't like unpleasant surprises. They can be very uncomfortable.