“Religion is a defense against the experience of God”

Simplified Meaning:

Some people believe that following religious rules and rituals can sometimes keep them from truly feeling or understanding a personal connection with a higher power or God. For example, imagine someone who goes to church every week, says the prayers, and follows all the traditions, but does all these things more out of habit rather than feeling deeply connected. They follow the routines because they feel safe and comfortable doing so, but these actions might become more about the rules than about heart-felt faith. Just like a student might memorize answers to pass a test without actually understanding the subject, religious habits can sometimes stop people from experiencing a deep, personal relationship with the divine. Instead of just following the rules, getting quiet and being open to experience can help one feel closer to God. It’s like the difference between reading a cookbook and actually cooking the meal – real understanding and connection come from personal experience.