The narcissism isn't an aspect I've considered before, but that makes sense. The believers (in many cases, but not all) are made to believe they are special and they will be rewarded later for the suffering they are doing now. They are made to believe that non-believers are evil and not to be trusted. (I've experienced this myself from believers.)

I would say that the divisiveness is mostly between belief and non-belief currently where I am, though the divisiveness has been between religions in the past, as history shows and present day still in the war torn parts of the world. In both cases, the religions have been weaponized for political purposes.

So, it follows that the believers need to have reason to feel they are special with a "God is on our side" attitude. The churches offer a feeling of a group think, so "we all are on this side or that" of any controversial subject.

Believers want to belong, so they go along with it and don't even need to worry their little heads about it. Acceptance by their peers or authority is more immediate. It's a case of "the Emperor is surely wearing clothes, even if we don't see them." They have to believe stronger in order to see them, so they fake it to fit in.

I agree that the narcissism developed in believers is very useful to those using religious faith to instruct the followers what to believe and how to vote when it comes to social issues that make the powerful more powerful, often at the expense of the believers who are used as pawns in the game.

I do know some believers who are very open minded and very liberal in their views and they realize their style of belief isn't what is being weaponized, but they see it in others.

Even the new age shamans tend to play to the narcissistic tendencies, in whatever oils, books, crystals, etc., they are hawking.

Because it's about power not religion

Excellent analysis, I think that is also what Republicans have to sell.

One of my children bought the religious pitch. I often think I did not do a good job bolstering her self esteem.

Yes.

Exactly. The rest of humanity is not special and privileged and your group is the only one with the truth. Nice plot background for a movie but I'm finding adults of all ages today who believe it. Some also seem sad that I cannot grasp it, especially with my fundamentalist background.

Can't disagree with any of that.

My own humble thought is that religion is a non rational activity, and such activities sooner or later result in irrational thinking and behaviour, which leads to destructive and devisive acts. Monotheism is especially culpable of that, but I don't find anything good about any religions. Some on this site try to convince themselves that religions produce values and even scientific thinking, but that's baloney. Positive values and critical thinking grow despite religion, not because of it.

Just some thoughts.

Well stated.

Concise, scathing, and undeniably accurate. I feel I should inform you I will be stealing this concept.

Absolutely, though I don't have much to add. Humans like contrast and dehumanizing others to feel more powerful ourselves has some appeal. Religion reinforces this in two ways, it cements our sense of belonging to a group and it is condoned by authority.