The way I think about it is that part of the point of religion, and perhaps more generally one part of the point of our strange existence on Earth is not to mak

The way I think about it is that part of the point of religion, and perhaps more generally one part of the point of our strange existence on Earth is not to make us happy, but to make us into people who are capable of being happy. I mean, imagine putting someone into a world where every wish they had was immediately granted. Would they be happy? Probably for awhile, but I don't think they would be happy for long. Imagine a dire or generally unpleasant situation, and imagine who could get through that and still be happy. Or maybe happy is the wrong word, but at least to not give up and to be kind to others. That sort of thing, being able to make the most out of any situation, is difficult and usually takes a lot of practice. (Which isn't to say we should tolerate suffering because it's a good "learning experience" for someone. Maybe it is, but to be okay with someone else's suffering is also a learning experience that, in my opinion, reinforces the wrong sorts of behavior.)