This is:
Because "we" (the group with whom I identify) have, over many past generations, sunk so much effort, resources, sufferings into such-and-such aspects of the religion;
"Therefore" I/Now cannot possibly conclude that such activities and actions are here-and-now now useless, or harmful.
(Poor little me all alone; versus all-so-many, so great Them...)
If I did; then I (little me, all by myself) would be saying that all-that effort/ resources/ suffering was a mistake.
I would be rejecting and cutting-myself-off from the (justly great and venerable) ancestors who made and sustained my religion.
I would be putting my poor little self above all Them great and good...
And thus people paint themselves into a corner of despair, hopelessness, and apostasy.
Because the religion of the ancestors does not work anymore.
Indeed, the poor-little "I" secretly (secret from itself, mostly) regards the religion of the ancestors and of the strong-majority as, in some important respects... well, flawed... Badly flawed.
The secret heart cries-out against it, against some of the things some of my ancestors believed and did - so sincerely, so earnestly, for such sustained periods)...
But, anyway, whatever They thought/said/did - fact is: it doesn't work anymore.
It doesn't work they don't really believe it - but they are painted into a corner of That Or Nothing.
Thus "Christianity" is weakened, and thus people reject "Christianity".
It is their own fault.
If we find ourselves painted into a corner, trapped by convictions into hope-less-ness - the first step towards escape is to recognize that we are actively doing this to ourselves.
By our own timidity: our fear, and lack of courage, and mental laziness...
And fundamental, ultimate, irresponsibility: The deep propensity (so common nowadays) to want to blame others for our predicament.
Nobody can compel anyone else to give up this existential persecutory delusion; because it is consoling in the short-term; even as it is spiritually lethal in the longer-term.
And vast swathes of people in the world (whole nations, races, ethnicities, ideologies) are in the grip of chosen-resentment and other-blame; including many powerful, rich and prestigious people (and groups) - people who we (poor little me!) would really like to have on our side!
People think: "My life would be So Much easier and pleasanter and more secure; if I was part of a strong gang!
People are trapped by their own self-imposed and self-interested assumptions - and by their own fear, resentment, and despair.
They reject any help that requires them to be courageous, active, and spiritually-autonomous.
Which is why such people cannot be helped: if they do not help themselves first.
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