I was telling my wife about the loss of religion and how that leaves many people without without purpose. Religion is often a precursor to the cultural norms we live, without even being aware of. Sunday is for resting in the west for example.
To find a reason to keep living is very hard and may entail an acceptance that all is for nothing and being content with that. Many people cannot walk that path or have deep anxiety before even being able to confront those questions on a personal way. Religion fills that gap, until the person wants to move forth.
Which is frankly a lot more dangerous, considering there's no more clear separation between church and state, since the state becomes your religion and allows you to make real policies.
Basically, belonging to a church didn't mean you could lose your house, but with someone who creates a policy targeting the other end of the political spectrum could very easily affect you negatively economically.
Which is batshit insane and scary, which leads to further polarization.
I think the holy inquisition would like to talk with you. The separation of church and state is modern and likely a consequence of the church becoming socially weaker. I think religion has an important place but definitely at arms length from power and, kept, so.
Religion co-ops practices that people enjoy into being part of them. Christianity is a great example with its adoption of pagan practices such as Christmas.
> I want to live because life is fun some of the time and death is boring.
It is good you found out. I found my contentment is similar, but for me it was a journey and it took most of my adult life to understand it. Some people do not agree with your assessment nor can they understand it at all. It is nice to have a simple “what is life for” explained in “because god said so” or short stories of sheppards and people living a simple life.
Regarding Nietzsche it took more than 2 millennia of western philosophy to get to him. For people that never were exposed to philosophy his works are as comprehensible as the Heisenberg uncertainty.
To find a reason to keep living is very hard and may entail an acceptance that all is for nothing and being content with that. Many people cannot walk that path or have deep anxiety before even being able to confront those questions on a personal way. Religion fills that gap, until the person wants to move forth.
It is easier to look into the void with a guide.