Photo by James Whitesmith

The first thought Jamie Stewart has each morning is, “Will my husband get a job today?” Since he got laid off, Jamie’s life has become very uncertain. “Will we get evicted?” To counter these scary thoughts, Jamie reaches for the remote and turns on the television. The familiar face of Jamie’s favorite evangelist comes on. “The Kingdom of Heaven is assured to those who believe!” Bolstered, Jamie gets out of bed and starts her day believing that everything will be okay. Her faith will protect her.

As the season of Lent approaches for Christians around the world, this week’s journal article will take a look at how, for millions of people, organized religion fulfills some basic human needs. Whether you’re “religious” or not, looking at why organized religion is so meaningful to those who participate in it can help bridge the gaps between those of different faiths.

In his groundbreaking book Unleash the Power Within, Anthony Robbins outlines six basic human needs. They are: Certainty, Uncertainty/Variety, Significance, Connection, Personal Growth, and Contribution. For those people who belong to an organized religion, participation in their religion can satisfy each of these six human needs.

Certainty

In the opening passage, Jamie’s life has become uncertain since her husband has been laid off. The need to feel certain is the first of Anthony Robbins’ six needs, and there are few things that destroy certainty more than the loss of a job. Everything one has come to expect comes to a halt. To counter this feeling of uncertainty, many people turn to organized religion. When a minister, rabbi, priest, or other religious leader speaks and tells listeners specifically what they need to do in order to come into favor with God (or the deity of that religion), the level of uncertainty diminishes. Followers are often told, “You don’t need to understand God’s plan. Just have faith and all will be well.”

Uncertainty

At the same time, organized religion provides just the right amount of uncertainty. “What if I’m not following it right?” Most major religions establish some pretty stringent standards. Often you have to wear certain clothes, eat specific foods at specific times, and avoid engaging in behavior that is deemed unacceptable by the tenets of the religion. There is always room for improvement, as no human can ever be “perfect.” This leads to a level of uncertainty. “Am I doing enough?”

Significance

Significance is the desire to feel important. Many organized religions promote the idea that they are the “chosen” ones. In addition, members are encouraged to proselytize and recruit others into the religion. Martyrs will sacrifice their own needs and lives in the name of their religion. How much more significant can one be than believing that one has “saved” the soul of another?

Connection

Religious communities represent the foundation of most societies. Whether it’s a Native American tribal ritual, a Buddhist monastery, a Catholic Church, or a Jewish minyan, human beings come together for spiritual connection. Such connection can provide a strong source of emotional support during times of trouble.

Personal Growth

Organized religion can also offer the opportunity for personal growth. Weekly sermons are often thinly disguised “self-help” talks that encourage listeners to grow within the religion. There are classes, books, retreats, and even formal education that can meet the need for personal growth.

Contribution

The last of Anthony Robbins’s six human needs is that of contribution. Most of the major organized religions promote some form of contribution to society. Whether it is through tithing, mitzvahs, missionary work, or some other form of service, the human need for contribution can be met through organized religion.

Perhaps if people are able to see how organized religion meets these six basic human needs, some of the conflict between religions can abate. Regardless of whether one believes in Allah, God, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, The Universe, or some other deity, each of the religions meets the six core needs of a human being. Perhaps it is not faith that will protect us, but understanding.