“Millions of Americans have abandoned religion, only to re-create it everywhere they look”
“Although belief in God is no panacea for these problems, religion is more than a theism. It is a bundle: a theory of the world, a community, a social identity, a means of finding peace and purpose, and a weekly routine. Those, like me, who have largely rejected this package deal, often find themselves shopping à la carte for meaning, community, and routine to fill a faith-shaped void.” - The Atlantic
- 1 view
Sad and encouraging at the same time. Mostly sad. But he is giving the whole thing such thoughtful attention, and recognizes something is missing.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
It really is outstanding writing. I think it is dead on in the theory that when evangelicals joined up with religious right, they managed to ineptly eject probably millions (mostly younger people) from Christianity. I get it; it is very very hard for me to stomach evangelicalism right now.
On the flip side, the author clearly believes something that many non-religious thinkers such as Kant have recognized: there is value in a society believing in a God. In fact, it just may be necessary for a society to believe in a God if it is going to survive.
Discussion