It is easier to be religious than not. Firstly, to quote Bukowski, those who preach god need god. Which is to say that the people who believe god are those who find it comforting. This is similar to how people who use whores find it comforting. Secondly, it comes with political, business, and social advantages. Which is to say, that saying "I love god and god loves me" on live television, meeting business partners at church, and getting a lot of social credit for putting $5 in the tithe basket every week are easily interpreted as acts of selfishness.

Religion is not a selfless act. I pray on a mountain, in a field, or by a stream, to a non-religious god called nature. I can't say I believe people who pray in front of others are praying at all. I understand the value of the social aspect, but I despise the hypocrisy, dishonesty, and self-righteousness of organized religion.