Dr. Regina McQuillan:

In the context of how religion might help people, it gives general clues about people's belief systems and how they behave. However, there is also the individual aspect. For example, someone might state he or she is a Catholic and he or she might subscribe to some or all of the teachings of that church. He or she might find some of these teachings comforting, while he or she might find others quite terrifying. Pre-Vatican II Catholics find the entire experience very terrifying because they are expecting a vengeful God. Post-Vatican II Catholics tend not to be terrified. I am aware that I am covered by privilege, but I am still not sure whether I should be saying all of this.