Why people turn to religion and cults

I'm going to rewrite this piece to be more balanced, but I'll leave this entry stand because to alter it could cause some of the replies lose their context.

I've often wondered why people are attracted to religion or other wacko beliefs. Often the weirder and more impossible something is, the more attractive it is. It is difficult to understand what drives that. It seems to me that if such insane, faith-driven beliefs were eliminated the world would be a much better place.

Recently I was listening to a series of interviews with people who became drawn into cults and it brought up that old puzzle again. Why would people believe believe in such delusional things as a guy professing to be god incarnate? Why would people believe that chanting prayers opens a path to heaven? Why would people believe mystical waters would cure them of anything that ails them? Why would people idolise a 2,000 year old book of superstitious ravings?

I think I now understand part of the answer to the puzzle.
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