In my opinion and personal experience it is their own doubt that makes them seek validation from others. I personally think they are trying to convince themselves by convincing us. Without self confidence we need approval and confirmation but once we know something without a doubt we no longer need outside confirmation. When we are insecure about something we look for a crutch to keep holding us up?? I think of a child learning basic math. They are not sure of their answers but believe they are right so they show them to everyone. Once they master it you never see their homework again because they no longer need that outside help and support??? I would tend to think the harder someone tried to get me to church the more doubts they were avoiding but that might just be me.

I think everyone seeks validation to some extent, we're social animals afterall..
But yes, religions take that to the extreme. Weekly, in some cases daily, affirmation...early life indoctrination...punishment....they're cults of abuse.
. With scientific, educational advances they cling harder to the doctrine as admitting one fault opens the door to others and soon the house of cards tumbles.
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You’ve informed me, well put. Never a church goer, I’d have speculated the same, now you’ve confirmed it.

It also feels ‘confirmed’ by the eager attitude I’ll get with an invite ..here in my new small town environment. They’d get to ‘show off’ their efforts, and in return, I’d presumably validate their worth.. But I don’t and it really throws them … as I’ll not even change my expression when they start up on their church. Instead, I remain a good neighbor and community participant … allowing them to see, what to some, is a higher calling

There a new(Er) branch of evolution called evolutionary Psychology. One book, “on Human Nature” (I forgot the author’s name), you may find intriguing. One chapter in piticular explores how emotional and religious feelings are adaptations that gave us an upper leg in our primitive environment.

We check our heads by the heads of others. Abstract truths are the latecomer and may not supplant the prevailing "feeling" of a group. That others may share our feeling, can validate the sense to our personal satisfaction.

Everyone wants to be apart of something bigger than themselves. It's also easy to conflate democracy with accuracy

Here animals. Also, who can you rely on in times of need? If it's people who believe the same as you, I give you thoughts and prayers

They need confirmation bias. If they know others believe what they do it convinces them even more that what they believe is true. My father told me something like this. His mother believed then she took him to church and he saw all these other people who also believed. So, he was convinced it was true because of that. Confirmation Bias.

They need confirmation bias. If they know others believe what they do it convinces them even more that what they believe is true. My father told me something like this. His mother believed then she took him to church and he saw all these other people who also believed. So, he was convinced it was true because of that. Confirmation Bias.