I wonder if believing in God because faith in him gives you positive emotions and peace of mind makes spirituality or religion rational?
I dont know that an arguement that suggests being irrational leads to a rational outcome sits well with me however you make a reasonable point.
Humans demand an answer.
Present a proposition to your friends and as soon as you are finished they weigh in with their opinion even if they have only then been introduced to the subject.
Ask how something happened and rarely will you get "I dont know" which is probably the most appropriate answer, but you get their opinion on what may have happened, then if you suggest a different answer you find they change from supporting an opinion to assuming their answer is fact.
So early humans asked "how did the world get here" and from there the opinions flowed and the bank of facts grow...pity they did not say "we dont know so lets avoid making up stuff that just pops into our heads".
Religion is satisfying for many because they have answers to their questions and certainly for religious folk they now never have to say they dont know.
So what happens when you die...let us now make up crap and treat it as fact...so contentment swells as the made up becomes the real answer.
So now they want an answer they have a book of facts...well you need to be able to interprete the bible to get your facts...what about this story in there...oh its not a fact but a metaphoric lesson...so how good could it be to arm yourself with a book that will stand any version of facts you want it to produce.
I dont feel uncomfortable to admit I dont know this or that and somewhat proud that I dont fall for made up stuff simply because it is in a book...I like to think for myself and confront the real possibility that I dont know and may never know...
If you want a moral code and must look in a book I guess that must be good for folk who cant work out for themselves what may or may not be wrong.
But if one is kind and patient decent morals become apparent and there is no need to look to the bronze age for direction...and then have to work out that perhaps mowing the lawn on Sunday is hardley something that should see one committing murder.
One may as well use a block of wood as moral authority...oh block of wood should I kill anyone...the block of wood will put a noble thought in your head...no dont kill anyone as that would be unkind.
Oh you most wonderful and wise block of wood.
But humans are often weak and need more than they can muster from their own thoughts and so for those who cant manage thinking religion may work for them.
Alex
