Expounding on my previous post:  The hope that some being "out there" or in me will in the end "save" me from myself and make all well again diminishes my willingness to accept full responsibility to save, or at least not harm, myself, my community and my environment.  Why bother with this earth that is "passing," if something better awaits me in the end?  There is nothing rational about a hope that is not grounded in any observable or measurable way, especially one that has such final, species ending consequences, if it turns out to be untrue.  To trade a known gift of incredible rarity, an oasis of life in a vast cosmic desert, for something unknown, something that has never been observed or confirmed, is an irrational act.  It is, ultimately, an act that denies life, that believes what we have is not redeemable because of our imperfections.  Given the enormity of what we risk losing, faith is not just irrational.  It is a sad and unconscionable proposition.