Religion is a Crutch

I'm guessing that you have heard someone write or say that Religion is a crutch. I know how I usually respond to that - defensively.

However, recently, while thinking about the first Beatitude of our Lord ("Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"), I had the realization that those who say 'religion is a crutch' are indeed correct. We should agree with them....and then point out the real difference between us and them.

These people would never demean someone who was using a crutch because they had a broken leg. So the real difference is that they don't believe we need a crutch...but we believe we do. And we believe they need a crutch too.