The author of this article thinks that, contrary to contemporary prejudices, being “spiritual but not religious” “can become a self-centered complacency divorced from the wisdom of a community.” I agree; people who are SBNR, as the acronym has it, can easily fall into the trap of believing any mumbo-jumbo as long as it makes them feel good.

What I don’t agree with is the conclusion the author draws:

If you’re an atheist, I can heartily recommend involvement in religion. It offers a sense of belonging and it offers tradition, which can be reassuring and comforting. It offers discipline, teaching us that there is something outside ourselves to which we should bend our personal will. If we do it right, religion helps us lead better lives, with a commitment to justice and social action. Sociological research shows that involvement in organised religion is good for our health and well being.

None of these reasons is a particularly good one for becoming an adherent of a religion. Only one reason is needed and only one reason is good enough to become a Christian: it has to be true. Nothing else will do.