You're exagerating the parent's claims. It is possible that religion can reduce stress, and help against depression without being an absolute defense. Our brain

You're exagerating the parent's claims. It is possible that religion can reduce stress, and help against depression without being an absolute defense. Our brain may just be wired that way. This doesn't even involve God or the supernatural actually existing for these effects to be real. You should check some of the talks, and lectures by Robert Sapolsky (an atheist), who advances this in several of them. Biological Underpinnings of Religiosity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WwAQqWUkpI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WwAQqWUkpI Religion Is Nature's Antidepressant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oldj11NEsc0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oldj11NEsc0