I am not religious, but I have lived all over the world, and yes, religion brings people a sense of meaning, purpose, and community. It also, in my experience, gives people an excuse to be cruel to others who do not believe what the in-group believes. Like most things, religion is a mixed bag, and as you so wisely note, it is subjective.
"In addition, I find it difficult, if not impossible, to believe that our existence is a mere accident."
I am quite content to be a part of this beautiful accident I exist inside for a blink. There may be a sentient creator entity out there in some part of the cosmos, but I am not and never will be convinced that it is the god Abraham worshipped.
Miracles happen daily. It is just that our species is not very facile at identifying them. We get confused easily by crying statues and pieces of toast with a face in them. Those are not miracles. We, the planet, the vastness of the universe, and many other things, are the miracles. People dressed in robes with big, silly hats generally don't have a very good ability to discern what is important and what isn't.
Allen, doesn't what your last sentence describes lead to an irrelevant institution? If the church is always "adapting" to meet the needs of individuals, isn't it always going to end up as a wishy-washy mess?
Bishop Spong's daughter once said to him, "Dad, you're answering questions no one is asking." And that quote comes from Spong's book around the turn of the century. When religion became all about "correct beliefs," it ceased to be relevant. This has been true for a very long time: you cannot insist that people believe in nonsensical doctrine and thrive.
I am not religious, but I have lived all over the world, and yes, religion brings people a sense of meaning, purpose, and community. It also, in my experience, gives people an excuse to be cruel to others who do not believe what the in-group believes. Like most things, religion is a mixed bag, and as you so wisely note, it is subjective.
"In addition, I find it difficult, if not impossible, to believe that our existence is a mere accident."
I am quite content to be a part of this beautiful accident I exist inside for a blink. There may be a sentient creator entity out there in some part of the cosmos, but I am not and never will be convinced that it is the god Abraham worshipped.
I enjoyed your essay.
Yes, it is a mixed bag and very subjective. I waver in my belief between miracle and accident.
Miracles happen daily. It is just that our species is not very facile at identifying them. We get confused easily by crying statues and pieces of toast with a face in them. Those are not miracles. We, the planet, the vastness of the universe, and many other things, are the miracles. People dressed in robes with big, silly hats generally don't have a very good ability to discern what is important and what isn't.
Allen, doesn't what your last sentence describes lead to an irrelevant institution? If the church is always "adapting" to meet the needs of individuals, isn't it always going to end up as a wishy-washy mess?
Bishop Spong's daughter once said to him, "Dad, you're answering questions no one is asking." And that quote comes from Spong's book around the turn of the century. When religion became all about "correct beliefs," it ceased to be relevant. This has been true for a very long time: you cannot insist that people believe in nonsensical doctrine and thrive.