I really like this analysis by Daniel Dennett, on characteristics in humans that are also intrinsic to many animals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vse2E4_7Y7s&feature=related

It always amuses me when certain people get upset at the idea that we are merely mammals, or that we share ancestors with chimps and so forth.

Additionally to what Dennett talks about, I think there's no doubt that when humans are young, fearful, and feel vulnerable, it is not only entirely 'natural' or 'instinctive' to run towards a parent or adult, for protection, and for explanations, reassurances, but that it is entirely rational, pragmatic, and philosophical to do so, which raises the complexity level of the impetus and deliberation to do so.

And there's no doubt a terrible sense of panic and fear, when someone very young finds themselves both in the presence of fear, and in the absence of any adults, or ones who are more powerful/strong/brave/knowing, than themselves.

Fundamentally, this indicates a strong desire to defend oneself from harm/survival. During immediate peak times of duress, the mind suspends most other things that typically occupy our consciousness, and focuses strickly on ensuring our own survival.

We can see this component as being one of the most powerful influences in our lives, even in this modern age, where the vast majority of natural threats to our individual survival, are placed well out of reach of ourselves.

Humans look for defenses.

Humans look for reassurances. It is both instinctive, as well as conscious and deliberate. Rational.

Humans find solace in both having defenses to combat threats, and reassurances that we can overcome threats.

This can easily lead to desperation. In order to satisfy the primary 'survival' drive. 

What better defenses and reassurances could there possibly be, than, if we could have an ultimate source of defense and reassurance?

Any rational person would logically want that. That would seem to be practically universal among the human species.

One could try and logically try and 'think' up an 'invention' that would provide the ultimate defense. Something of unprecedented power. Capable of destroying anything.

What could possibly be better and more perfect than if we had a 'god'? That was always there for us, to defend us, and reassure us, and provide us with ultimate solace?

We'd never be alone. We'd always have that superhero.

Wouldn't that idea be something of immense desire?

Imagine the fears of a people and culture of immense ignorance, before they had understanding, defenses. How vulnerable and afraid they must have been.

There would be a desperate desire for such a superhero.

A desperate desire for a miracle.

Modern humans are more than willing to delude themselves into 'false hope' soley on the basis of it making them 'feel better' to do so. Many will openly admit it.

The god 'delusion' (false hope/false positive) being 'natural' (sic) in the human species, is not difficult to understand (where it could originate from, and what drives the human species to it) at all.

Having a 'cosmic superhero daddy' is immensely more desirable than being a 'cosmic orphan'.

Hence the immense 'drive' to find a 'cosmic superhero daddy' is the logical extension of the fundamental 'drive' for survival/safety.

And a human willingness and capability to accept a placebo, in the place of one in reality.

Dawkins was right. It's like a moth being drawn/driven to a flame.

Mystery solved...