Why I think religion appeals more to the poor

When we see poor people who have none of what we call "essentials" thank their creator we are inspired and surprised.

They, who don't have cars and food security and hot water, or even drinking water are able to thank their creator, yet we, who have so much are unable to raise our hands. 

The issue is layered and more complex than it appears.

When you don't have food security and don't have a pile of money in the bank to carry you through the lean times, you are more likely to look upwards to God who might protect you. When you don't have any food or job security, "luck" becomes central to your life. 

 

Those of us who have "made it" in this world fall into a pattern of entitlement. We demand and often get respect. We are self-made men and our success comes from our ingenuity, hard work or bloodline. We make our own luck. 

This is what we tell ourselves, and it makes our hearts shrivel. 

It takes a pandemic, or an accident or some other "act of God" to remind us that we are just weak bags of meat, and our good fortune is fickle. 

Our lives can turn upside down at any instant. 

We can lose our health, wealth, livelihood and family in the blink of an eye. 

It's at this point when we find ourselves raising a hand to the sky. 

M Parak 

Jan 2021