I believe that you are absolutely right, Boaz.

>> I suppose deep at heart most of would like to be more significant than we really are<<

To me, that goes to the very heart of why so many folk turn to religion. They cannot face the fact that they are, in the cosmic scheme of things, so infinitesimally insignificant.

And in order to try to make any sense at all of this reality, they like to be told that there is actually a "purpose" to our existence.

It is this mixture of fear and insecurity that priests rely upon, when managing their flocks.

On a lighter note, it has always amused me that so many religious leaders refer to their followers - to their very face, even - as sheep.