This book posits that it is not possible for a civilization to maintain a human and humane culture without the assistance of religion. Religion can be misused or abused into having a negative effect, but an authentic religion, when properly managed, is the only effective source of durable, common, and humane values throughout society. Religion's assertion of the existence of God--who alone provides the transcendent power--is the only logical basis for asserting and maintaining common values for all people, going far above and beyond the indiscriminate and multifarious opinions of diverse and imperfect human beings. Some people can maintain certain values, derived from their own consciences, but human history and psychoanalysis shows that the majority of people cannot sustain a whole culture or civilization from a purely utilitarian and materialistic basis. Human nature is imperfect and needs the help of a transcendent power to support its spiritual needs in a humane society and to create a culture or civilization that lasts.
