"Individuals who live in communities with high religious participation are more prosperous, more educated, and even more likely to get married."
I strongly object to the above statement's inherent assumption that being married is somehow superior to being single. For many of us, this is NOT the case. I don't want to ever get married, and I am not alone. Please be more sensitive to those of us who choose alternatives to marriage instead of going with the old notion that marriage is somehow the most desirable state.
Thanks for this feedback! I definitely don't see marriage as morally superior. But there *is* good evidence that folks who are married are happier and generally more well-off than people who are not, as a general matter (in the same way that other forms of social connection make people better off). Definitely does not imply, however, that there aren't folks (such as you) who prefer and are better off with alternatives to marriage!
You're welcome. I question any evidence that people who are married are happier. Many studies have shown that people who are single by choice are actually happier than those who are married. Men seem to be happier being married while women seem to be happier being single. Additionally, being "well-off" is not legitimately a measure of happiness. That is essentially a capitalist myth, that wealth equals happiness. Many people who have meaningful lives and something I value tremendously, freedom, are very happy, even without a lot of money. Being married also means more responsibilities and needs; a couple often need more money than a single person. I appreciate your recognition that people can be better off without marriage, but I still think society has an inherent bias against that, which often comes to play in media studies and reports.
May 11, 2022·edited May 11, 2022Liked by Wayne Hsiung
Interesting conversation. Thank you Wayne and Katie Cleary for sharing such personal stories. I am a militant atheist for separation of church and state. Even before I realized that I didn't believe in god, there was no religious or spiritual community that my family and I belonged to. My family did go to church when I was a kid and then stopped (long story), but they still believed in god. I appreciate that I wasn't indoctrinated into catholicism or christianity. I realized that I didn't believe in god when my younger sister wanted to know what happens when people die, so I got her a book. I told her that these are made-up stories because nobody knows what happens after people die. I don't believe in an afterlife. I don't need faith to be a good person in life.
I thought you were an animal rights activist, apparently not: almost all organized religions sacrifice animals and are based in blind faith, run by men. So right - what's lacking in society is good parenting and strong spirituality (nothing to do with hierarchical religions): love of the earth and others, personal wellness, etc. See AA traditions and history -.good solution to our weak society. Look at how most of American society is terribly addicted to all toxic substances, including food that's not really food but cheap manipulative chemicals. You're welcome.
Here's my story: The primary reason I quit the Catholic Church over its teachings is, AS A CHILD I loved animals (still do) like many, if not most children. I was being indoctrinated to regard as ethically "normal" stripping other animals of any moral standing in order to uphold human exceptionalism and facilitate human domination over them without moral qualms. When it comes down to human needs and human pleasures versus animal lives and suffering, all the major religions fail. As long as they consider animals "property," given no moral standing, and abusing them is not considered a sin and a crime--no matter how many encyclicals the Pope issues talking about the "value" of animals "in the eyes of the Lord" -- it is lip service, it is political, it is public relations--they are simply empty abstractions that change nothing. "...a Neapolitan peasant, having learned from his parish priest that animals are not 'moral persons,' can go home after Mass and with a clear conscience give his donkey a thorough taste of the switch." -- "Men, Beasts, and Gods - A History of Cruelty and Kindness to Animals" -- G. Carson
Refreshing take. I am one of these unicorn Christian vegans, and I too feel that my faith shaped my mission toward social justice ... which includes all of creation. The person who confirmed me in the Episcopal Church and whom I have read and listened, the late Bishop Spong, had a vision of moving beyond religion as we practice it and put forth the idea of nontheism. He wasn't atheist -- although many Christians called him that -- but nontheist, and I love that idea: to cut out the idea that God is a being (but rather being itself) and yet still embrace the Christian mission of radical love.
Thanks for this. Is this Lauren Koslow? Had no idea you are Christian but definitely makes me understand you more. Thank you for embracing that mission of radical love! it's an important one, esp in these tiems.
Great article, Wayne. As a religious person, a long-time vegan (35 years), and someone deeply committed to science, I found it very insightful. Based on the comments below, you seem to have touched off some nerves with your words, which is a good thing. People fail to see that religion is simply a cultural construct that, if truly understood, can lead one to finding new, creative, authentic, and compassionate ways of being in a broken world. As a cultural construct arising from the motivations of flawed, limited humans, it can also lead to a lot of pain and suffering. Most unfortunately, what we see offered as "Christianity" today is just a gross distortion of a healing message—often based on ignorance, ego, and deep fears of inadequacy and death.
It is always very interesting to hear the very strong push back against any organized religion.
"I don't need marriage to be happy" doesn't mean that only losers marry.
"I don't need to worship a deity to be happy" doesn't mean that those that do are miserable.
I agree that there is something deeply missing in many of us today.
I would say what is missing is "AWE". We have so sense of awe any more.
Awe can be found in the religious as well as in those that have reverence for the universe or nature, but seems lacking in those that feel that our science has put us above any type of awe.
Seems like we know "everything" now and it makes everyone feel like shit!
That's because we don't know everything. Or we don't know much about the important things.
anyways.
If you look studies by groups such the Heartmath Institute you will the direct scientific correlation between "feeling your heart" and being in a healthy state. Awe fills our hearts, like gratitude. Very powerful. When you know everything, there is no room for gratitude or awe.
Of course, religion is not the only thing that gives us awe, but it's that sense of humbleness from a multitude of possible things that can give us awe.
Just go the Grand Canyon for a peek. That is awesome and is akin to a religious experience in how it makes you feel.
Yeah, I believe that religion has some good elements, but some very bad ones too. On YouTube @antibreeder1m I did a video called "The future of neoreligion: the impulse-intellect dichotomy" which details how religion can and should be refined based on ethics. This addresses ALL the issues raised here.
May 13, 2022·edited May 14, 2022Liked by Wayne Hsiung
Really interesting stuff, Wayne! I'm so excited for your new project re: connection and working together towards a common goal. It sounds a lot like what I've been thinking about for years, but never could figure out exactly how to make it happen. My most promising idea was like a Tinder for different spiritual ("spiritual" as in: something greater than oneself that enriches one's inner life, not necessarily religious) communities, like, "What are your core values? What are you looking to do? Do you want to dance and sing? Do you want to volunteer to help vulnerable humans and animals? Do you want to meditate? Do you want to read and discuss philosophy and ethics? What fills you with wonder/awe? Do you want to pray? Etc. Fill out these boxes and we'll match you with communities already doing this or others so you can start your own."
Anyway, like you, I had a very militant atheist phase. Organized religion was—and largely still is—the source of so much pain, especially if you're a member of an out-group (which as a queer person, I am). But after transformative healing experiences with plant medicines and getting more into Eastern philosophies that were less Judgey-Old-Man-in-the-Sky mystical and more about genuine connection/compassion/service to help others and the mind-boggling nature of reality, I've seen that even the religions I once had so much animosity for were providing people with something truly valuable. Not to say that the ignorance, oppression, and suffering they ended up causing was acceptable, but I get what you mean when you say there's something to it that's missing in its wake. It reminds me of something I think Alain de Botton said (although I can't find the quote now), but basically the vacuum that organized religion left in people's lives—something that brought connection, meaning, and values (for better and worse)—has just been replaced with whatever capitalism throws in there. Yikes.
Katherine May, author of Wintering, mentioned in her On Being interview how unnatural our society's structure is, and how that also contributes to this mental health crisis and the crisis of meaning. This is a long quote lol but I think it's really insightful!
"It’s hard not to conclude that [sense of isolation] is a problem that comes from the privatized nuclear family, the way that we are all stuck in our small, separate family units. And the issue that comes from that is that a little unit requires a lot of money to fuel it, and that means that two people are responsible for all of that money coming into the house. But also, it means that we lack basic support, so often. I don’t have any — and this is like so many people, I think — any kind of convenient family that I can call on. And more than that, incredibly recently we’d have lived in bigger family groups. We’d have lived in units where our lives were intermeshed.
And we think it’s a virtue to all be so separate. We think that this privacy we have is worth it. But I actually don’t think it is. I think it’s part of our profound sense of exhaustion, actually.
This is not how we’re supposed to do it. And I remember, at the time, asking around and saying to people, “Can we find a way to be in each other’s business more, in a more natural way?” Because actually, I don’t want to go to coffee mornings arranged in a local church hall. [laughs]"
This organic sense of community, the natural connections with people across different stages of their lives, the collective pondering of existential questions like, "What makes a good life, really? How do I use my time on Earth wisely? How will I be remembered when I'm gone?" — none of it exists for most people in the U.S. anymore (and for people like me and perhaps you, it never has). When we still have those deeply human questions without the moral compass to fill in the gaps, we can do easily become so lost. Misguided by marketing, polarization, culture wars, etc... Again, this isn't to say that organized religion is what should fill that hole because as we've seen, it can create tremendous harm. But as Thich Nhat Hanh said, “it is probable that the next buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next buddha may take the form of a community, a community practicing understanding and loving-kindness, a community practicing mindful living.” And that sounds pretty good to me!
Anyway, here are a couple of recommendations you might be into that touch on this topic, in case you want to check them out:
- Parable of the Sower. A novel by Octavia Butler that weaves philosophy, religion, politics, social justice, and sci-fi in a world incredibly close to ruin and eerily like our own reality. I just started reading the sequel (Parable of Talents) so I can't recommend book number two yet, but I've heard only great things!
- The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters. A nonfiction book by Emily Esfahani Smith that synthesizes a kaleidoscopic array of sources—from psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and neuroscientists to figures in literature and history such as George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, and the Buddha and shows how cultivating connections to others, identifying and working toward a purpose, telling stories about our place in the world, and seeking out mystery can immeasurably deepen our lives.
- The Compassion Consortium: a non-sectarian and interfaith religious center. Bruce Friedrich happened to attend one service as a guest and gave a great talk (you can find it on YouTube)! I'm not a religious person (although on some days I may loosely identify as an eclectic Buddhist), but I still find it a nice place for people to come together in the spirit of lovingkindness for all animals. https://www.compassionconsortium.org/
Wow, thanks for this very thoughtful and for some of the resources too. NEver heard of the compassion consortium but Bruce is one of my faves. I'll def check it out!
Wayne, I am so sorry to tell you how deeply disappointed I am with your misguided advocacy of religion. I am truly saddened, because I have the deepest admiration and esteem for your moral sensitivity in regard to animals, and must believe that your ethics arise from your own sense of compassion and empathy, and not merely from the self-serving impulse that motivates True Believers to "please God" so they may enter the fabled "Kingdom of Heaven".
Surely you are aware that religions (particularly Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) have been used throughout history – and are still being used – to justify the enslavement and abuse of not only animals but women and minorities. The fact that many people may derive emotional support from their imaginary Best Friend, neither makes religion true nor beneficial to life on Earth. Quite the contrary! Almost without exception, religions are constructed so as to place humans at the pinnacle of life, resulting in unspeakable horrors being committed against other beings every second of every day – a Hell on Earth. Until humanity finally cures the disease of religion and recognizes that we are but one species among countless others who deserve moral consideration no less than we, our ethics are a sham!
May I quote?
“A human being is a part of the whole called by us the 'universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of understanding and compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
Albert Einstein
…And more to the point:
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
Thanks for this Dan! I don't see myself as advocating religion as much as trying to anthropologically understand its role in human cooperation. As you and others have noted, there are some major problems with religion too! Appreciate you sharing.
Like most others here, I am not a fan of organized religion. It seems have contributed to so much divisiveness in our country and others. If "faith" was truly about good works, I'd be more in favor of it. To my eyes and heart, it seems to me that religious leaders are stoking and encouraging conspiracy theories and political rhetoric that does nothing to bring us together. I'm glad that Katie finds inspiration from her religion. If it brings her peace after the deaths of loved ones, that's a good thing. However, for me, a person who does not believe in an afterlife, I am filled with so much more "realistic" grief from the many losses of my loved ones. I don't believe in angels, either. It's magical thinking, in my opinion. Still, if Katie does good work for animals due to her Christian faith, good on her. As someone else here wrote, I don't need faith to be a better person or to do more work to help animals. I'm plenty involved in animal welfare.
There is a huge reality in so, called "religion" the word comes from rules...Christianity is not the only source of spiritual balance and peace in ones life..There are many paths to whats called God.
What really matters is for human beings to awaken to the fact that they are immortal souls in a temporary earth life..To know ones essential divine self is beyond all religion.The Divine is beyond all names and rules.It's beyond words..True art and music and nature is a close description,of the indescribable.Organized religion has collapsed because it is simply out of date in the coming Star Trek world.Spiritual knowledge has to keep pace with huge technological and education change in our time.
"Individuals who live in communities with high religious participation are more prosperous, more educated, and even more likely to get married."
I strongly object to the above statement's inherent assumption that being married is somehow superior to being single. For many of us, this is NOT the case. I don't want to ever get married, and I am not alone. Please be more sensitive to those of us who choose alternatives to marriage instead of going with the old notion that marriage is somehow the most desirable state.
Thanks for this feedback! I definitely don't see marriage as morally superior. But there *is* good evidence that folks who are married are happier and generally more well-off than people who are not, as a general matter (in the same way that other forms of social connection make people better off). Definitely does not imply, however, that there aren't folks (such as you) who prefer and are better off with alternatives to marriage!
You're welcome. I question any evidence that people who are married are happier. Many studies have shown that people who are single by choice are actually happier than those who are married. Men seem to be happier being married while women seem to be happier being single. Additionally, being "well-off" is not legitimately a measure of happiness. That is essentially a capitalist myth, that wealth equals happiness. Many people who have meaningful lives and something I value tremendously, freedom, are very happy, even without a lot of money. Being married also means more responsibilities and needs; a couple often need more money than a single person. I appreciate your recognition that people can be better off without marriage, but I still think society has an inherent bias against that, which often comes to play in media studies and reports.
Interesting conversation. Thank you Wayne and Katie Cleary for sharing such personal stories. I am a militant atheist for separation of church and state. Even before I realized that I didn't believe in god, there was no religious or spiritual community that my family and I belonged to. My family did go to church when I was a kid and then stopped (long story), but they still believed in god. I appreciate that I wasn't indoctrinated into catholicism or christianity. I realized that I didn't believe in god when my younger sister wanted to know what happens when people die, so I got her a book. I told her that these are made-up stories because nobody knows what happens after people die. I don't believe in an afterlife. I don't need faith to be a good person in life.
I thought you were an animal rights activist, apparently not: almost all organized religions sacrifice animals and are based in blind faith, run by men. So right - what's lacking in society is good parenting and strong spirituality (nothing to do with hierarchical religions): love of the earth and others, personal wellness, etc. See AA traditions and history -.good solution to our weak society. Look at how most of American society is terribly addicted to all toxic substances, including food that's not really food but cheap manipulative chemicals. You're welcome.
You should also listen to the podcast. Wayne and Katie talk about animals and activism, too.
Then why even suggest religion at all? It's dying out for good reason. (I've listened to his podcasts ad infinitum.)
You will be interested in my YouTube video on neoreligion: the impulse-intellect dichotomy @antibreeder1m. I believe in neoreligion based on ethics.
Here's my story: The primary reason I quit the Catholic Church over its teachings is, AS A CHILD I loved animals (still do) like many, if not most children. I was being indoctrinated to regard as ethically "normal" stripping other animals of any moral standing in order to uphold human exceptionalism and facilitate human domination over them without moral qualms. When it comes down to human needs and human pleasures versus animal lives and suffering, all the major religions fail. As long as they consider animals "property," given no moral standing, and abusing them is not considered a sin and a crime--no matter how many encyclicals the Pope issues talking about the "value" of animals "in the eyes of the Lord" -- it is lip service, it is political, it is public relations--they are simply empty abstractions that change nothing. "...a Neapolitan peasant, having learned from his parish priest that animals are not 'moral persons,' can go home after Mass and with a clear conscience give his donkey a thorough taste of the switch." -- "Men, Beasts, and Gods - A History of Cruelty and Kindness to Animals" -- G. Carson
Thanks for these thoughts Carola. Def agree with you that there have been major failings in organized religion.
Refreshing take. I am one of these unicorn Christian vegans, and I too feel that my faith shaped my mission toward social justice ... which includes all of creation. The person who confirmed me in the Episcopal Church and whom I have read and listened, the late Bishop Spong, had a vision of moving beyond religion as we practice it and put forth the idea of nontheism. He wasn't atheist -- although many Christians called him that -- but nontheist, and I love that idea: to cut out the idea that God is a being (but rather being itself) and yet still embrace the Christian mission of radical love.
Thanks for this. Is this Lauren Koslow? Had no idea you are Christian but definitely makes me understand you more. Thank you for embracing that mission of radical love! it's an important one, esp in these tiems.
Yes it is I! Jives well with the mission of communities of kindness in your new initiative.
Great article, Wayne. As a religious person, a long-time vegan (35 years), and someone deeply committed to science, I found it very insightful. Based on the comments below, you seem to have touched off some nerves with your words, which is a good thing. People fail to see that religion is simply a cultural construct that, if truly understood, can lead one to finding new, creative, authentic, and compassionate ways of being in a broken world. As a cultural construct arising from the motivations of flawed, limited humans, it can also lead to a lot of pain and suffering. Most unfortunately, what we see offered as "Christianity" today is just a gross distortion of a healing message—often based on ignorance, ego, and deep fears of inadequacy and death.
I’m sorry you are getting push back on this post. As a Christian and vegan, I find it most hopeful. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Holly!
Thanks for sharing your ideas Wayne.
It is always very interesting to hear the very strong push back against any organized religion.
"I don't need marriage to be happy" doesn't mean that only losers marry.
"I don't need to worship a deity to be happy" doesn't mean that those that do are miserable.
I agree that there is something deeply missing in many of us today.
I would say what is missing is "AWE". We have so sense of awe any more.
Awe can be found in the religious as well as in those that have reverence for the universe or nature, but seems lacking in those that feel that our science has put us above any type of awe.
Seems like we know "everything" now and it makes everyone feel like shit!
That's because we don't know everything. Or we don't know much about the important things.
anyways.
If you look studies by groups such the Heartmath Institute you will the direct scientific correlation between "feeling your heart" and being in a healthy state. Awe fills our hearts, like gratitude. Very powerful. When you know everything, there is no room for gratitude or awe.
Of course, religion is not the only thing that gives us awe, but it's that sense of humbleness from a multitude of possible things that can give us awe.
Just go the Grand Canyon for a peek. That is awesome and is akin to a religious experience in how it makes you feel.
Find your awe!!
Very interesting thoguhts, thanks for sharing! The sense of awe is one that is under-appreciated, for sure. Discussed this in the pod with Moby!
Religion is denial
Is denial useful?
Yes
Do I ultimately want it be part of my happiness?
No
Denial doesn't create durable stability
My happiness is my poursuit of happiness.
I don't have time to gamble on a fake stable happiness
Yeah, I believe that religion has some good elements, but some very bad ones too. On YouTube @antibreeder1m I did a video called "The future of neoreligion: the impulse-intellect dichotomy" which details how religion can and should be refined based on ethics. This addresses ALL the issues raised here.
Thanks for these thoughts!
Really interesting stuff, Wayne! I'm so excited for your new project re: connection and working together towards a common goal. It sounds a lot like what I've been thinking about for years, but never could figure out exactly how to make it happen. My most promising idea was like a Tinder for different spiritual ("spiritual" as in: something greater than oneself that enriches one's inner life, not necessarily religious) communities, like, "What are your core values? What are you looking to do? Do you want to dance and sing? Do you want to volunteer to help vulnerable humans and animals? Do you want to meditate? Do you want to read and discuss philosophy and ethics? What fills you with wonder/awe? Do you want to pray? Etc. Fill out these boxes and we'll match you with communities already doing this or others so you can start your own."
Anyway, like you, I had a very militant atheist phase. Organized religion was—and largely still is—the source of so much pain, especially if you're a member of an out-group (which as a queer person, I am). But after transformative healing experiences with plant medicines and getting more into Eastern philosophies that were less Judgey-Old-Man-in-the-Sky mystical and more about genuine connection/compassion/service to help others and the mind-boggling nature of reality, I've seen that even the religions I once had so much animosity for were providing people with something truly valuable. Not to say that the ignorance, oppression, and suffering they ended up causing was acceptable, but I get what you mean when you say there's something to it that's missing in its wake. It reminds me of something I think Alain de Botton said (although I can't find the quote now), but basically the vacuum that organized religion left in people's lives—something that brought connection, meaning, and values (for better and worse)—has just been replaced with whatever capitalism throws in there. Yikes.
Katherine May, author of Wintering, mentioned in her On Being interview how unnatural our society's structure is, and how that also contributes to this mental health crisis and the crisis of meaning. This is a long quote lol but I think it's really insightful!
"It’s hard not to conclude that [sense of isolation] is a problem that comes from the privatized nuclear family, the way that we are all stuck in our small, separate family units. And the issue that comes from that is that a little unit requires a lot of money to fuel it, and that means that two people are responsible for all of that money coming into the house. But also, it means that we lack basic support, so often. I don’t have any — and this is like so many people, I think — any kind of convenient family that I can call on. And more than that, incredibly recently we’d have lived in bigger family groups. We’d have lived in units where our lives were intermeshed.
And we think it’s a virtue to all be so separate. We think that this privacy we have is worth it. But I actually don’t think it is. I think it’s part of our profound sense of exhaustion, actually.
This is not how we’re supposed to do it. And I remember, at the time, asking around and saying to people, “Can we find a way to be in each other’s business more, in a more natural way?” Because actually, I don’t want to go to coffee mornings arranged in a local church hall. [laughs]"
This organic sense of community, the natural connections with people across different stages of their lives, the collective pondering of existential questions like, "What makes a good life, really? How do I use my time on Earth wisely? How will I be remembered when I'm gone?" — none of it exists for most people in the U.S. anymore (and for people like me and perhaps you, it never has). When we still have those deeply human questions without the moral compass to fill in the gaps, we can do easily become so lost. Misguided by marketing, polarization, culture wars, etc... Again, this isn't to say that organized religion is what should fill that hole because as we've seen, it can create tremendous harm. But as Thich Nhat Hanh said, “it is probable that the next buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next buddha may take the form of a community, a community practicing understanding and loving-kindness, a community practicing mindful living.” And that sounds pretty good to me!
Anyway, here are a couple of recommendations you might be into that touch on this topic, in case you want to check them out:
- Parable of the Sower. A novel by Octavia Butler that weaves philosophy, religion, politics, social justice, and sci-fi in a world incredibly close to ruin and eerily like our own reality. I just started reading the sequel (Parable of Talents) so I can't recommend book number two yet, but I've heard only great things!
- The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters. A nonfiction book by Emily Esfahani Smith that synthesizes a kaleidoscopic array of sources—from psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and neuroscientists to figures in literature and history such as George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, and the Buddha and shows how cultivating connections to others, identifying and working toward a purpose, telling stories about our place in the world, and seeking out mystery can immeasurably deepen our lives.
- The Compassion Consortium: a non-sectarian and interfaith religious center. Bruce Friedrich happened to attend one service as a guest and gave a great talk (you can find it on YouTube)! I'm not a religious person (although on some days I may loosely identify as an eclectic Buddhist), but I still find it a nice place for people to come together in the spirit of lovingkindness for all animals. https://www.compassionconsortium.org/
Wow, thanks for this very thoughtful and for some of the resources too. NEver heard of the compassion consortium but Bruce is one of my faves. I'll def check it out!
You're welcome! This is one of my favorite topics so happy to share.
Also this is a good example of how interfaith coalitions can come together to make big positive impacts on all of society, in this case through legislation: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/civic-bridges-act-derek-kilmer-eboo-patel/
Wayne, I am so sorry to tell you how deeply disappointed I am with your misguided advocacy of religion. I am truly saddened, because I have the deepest admiration and esteem for your moral sensitivity in regard to animals, and must believe that your ethics arise from your own sense of compassion and empathy, and not merely from the self-serving impulse that motivates True Believers to "please God" so they may enter the fabled "Kingdom of Heaven".
Surely you are aware that religions (particularly Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) have been used throughout history – and are still being used – to justify the enslavement and abuse of not only animals but women and minorities. The fact that many people may derive emotional support from their imaginary Best Friend, neither makes religion true nor beneficial to life on Earth. Quite the contrary! Almost without exception, religions are constructed so as to place humans at the pinnacle of life, resulting in unspeakable horrors being committed against other beings every second of every day – a Hell on Earth. Until humanity finally cures the disease of religion and recognizes that we are but one species among countless others who deserve moral consideration no less than we, our ethics are a sham!
May I quote?
“A human being is a part of the whole called by us the 'universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of understanding and compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
Albert Einstein
…And more to the point:
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
Voltaire
Thanks for this Dan! I don't see myself as advocating religion as much as trying to anthropologically understand its role in human cooperation. As you and others have noted, there are some major problems with religion too! Appreciate you sharing.
Like most others here, I am not a fan of organized religion. It seems have contributed to so much divisiveness in our country and others. If "faith" was truly about good works, I'd be more in favor of it. To my eyes and heart, it seems to me that religious leaders are stoking and encouraging conspiracy theories and political rhetoric that does nothing to bring us together. I'm glad that Katie finds inspiration from her religion. If it brings her peace after the deaths of loved ones, that's a good thing. However, for me, a person who does not believe in an afterlife, I am filled with so much more "realistic" grief from the many losses of my loved ones. I don't believe in angels, either. It's magical thinking, in my opinion. Still, if Katie does good work for animals due to her Christian faith, good on her. As someone else here wrote, I don't need faith to be a better person or to do more work to help animals. I'm plenty involved in animal welfare.
Thanks for this marilyn!
There is a huge reality in so, called "religion" the word comes from rules...Christianity is not the only source of spiritual balance and peace in ones life..There are many paths to whats called God.
What really matters is for human beings to awaken to the fact that they are immortal souls in a temporary earth life..To know ones essential divine self is beyond all religion.The Divine is beyond all names and rules.It's beyond words..True art and music and nature is a close description,of the indescribable.Organized religion has collapsed because it is simply out of date in the coming Star Trek world.Spiritual knowledge has to keep pace with huge technological and education change in our time.