Originally Posted by aklim

I think religion is made up to ensure good behavior. Either you behave or the invisible guy is going to get pissed. I think people need religion because they are weak and cannot do what they need to do on their own so they need a guy with a whip prodding at them. To make it more palatable, a "carrot" is offered.

There are those who can quit say booze, drugs or alcohol, whatever the vice is, etc, etc ON THEIR OWN. Others need a crutch to make it work. Problem with "I'm quitting (insert bad vice here) because of my (insert favorite person) is that someday, that person, for example might die and hence the reason for your continued good behavior is gone. What if we had something that endured past you? Well, now you have an everlasting "crutch" because you are took weak to do it on your own.