In John Updike's "Self-Consciousness," the author explores the concept of belief in an afterlife as a comforting notion that counters the ridicules of reason. This faith supports the idea that our consciousness exists in a continuous flow, suggesting that our individual selves are part of a broader, intentional framework. Such beliefs, while challenged by logic, create a vital link between our inner selves and the external world, which is what we ultimately seek from religion.

Updike suggests that God represents the ideal of self, a projection that embodies our inherent optimism. This view frames God not as a distant entity but as a reflection of our desires for coherence and purpose in life. By recognizing the divine as an extension of our own consciousness, Updike highlights the intimate relationship between belief and our understanding of reality, illustrating how religion fulfills a fundamental human need for connection and continuity.