(ABOVE – 1907 illustration of Peter Pan by Oliver Herford: Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A free-spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up)

Plutarch suggests that Numa played on superstition to give himself an aura of awe and divine allure, in order to cultivate more gentle behaviors among the warlike early Romans, such as honoring the gods, abiding by law, behaving humanely to enemies, and living proper, respectable lives. See Plutarch, “The Parallel Lives, Numa Pompilius” §VIII.

No one is arguing that there wasn’t a time when religion and superstition were needed. But we have grown up since then. It’s healthy to leave the nest, not live at home with your parents forever. Imagine as an adult your Father expected you to spend time every day thinking about him a praising him, and to live in such a way that you obey his worldview to the letter!