As much as the church preaches free agency and responsibility, people eschew it the first chance they get.

I know of a lady that was in a car accident, some say she ran a red light, she said she didn't. Thing is, in the accident her best friend riding with her was killed.

she said god must have wanted her to come home, she just wished she hadn't been his instrument in doing so.

Religion clearly provides comfort in the case above, and maybe creates a place to still be happy in the face of an enormous mistake. That type of thinking though becomes infused in your everyday life. They even preach it of over the pulpit. you are free to choose!, but submit to gods will. oh and btw, I speak for god.

we give up our freedom to think when we believe and I think we do so because it 'shifts the blame' and that is a desire, especially when something like the above happens.