Quote:
Originally Posted by Makarov
I agree with a lot of what you've written here. However, I do think you take a rather simple view of religion. There is more to it than just dogma. It is also about ritual and community. Indeed, these two things are central to religion's unique place in society. I presume we all know people who are well educated, intelligent, believe in science and reason, yet still practice the rituals of their (almost always born-into) religious community because it makes them feel commected to their community. That has value.
I don't think that recognizing that makes me part of the "regressive left. It also doesn't preclude me from utterly rejecting mysoginist or homophobic religiousm dogma when it appears in our social or political discourse.
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"Community" is not unique to religion. Any of the things you describe can happen in a secular environment. In fact, those things that are good about religion would probably be better in an environment where belief in a magic man in the sky isn't part of the process.