Do we need religion?
This is not a question for those who believe in God.
But for those who don’t ….
Religion does serve a purpose. Religious people generally seem happier and apparently live longer (not sure about the latter claim). Religion allows one to feel associated with others and provides a sense of belonging to a community. People seem to like ritual. They love going to churches and temples and doing things together. Religion also sometimes inspires people to do good and therefore join with other community members in helping those that are less better off. I am sure protagonists for religion could go on describing other benefits.
And I agree with them all.
But like all things good, they can also be used to create evil and harm our fellow human beings. Religions inevitably create a sense of us vs them, and thus, paradoxically, sow division rather than unity. Religions can persuade us that rituals are all important while we forget the purpose and message behind each. The ‘priests’ are the elite in each religion, and often use their status to work for their own power and benefit, jealously protecting their guardianship over beliefs and rituals.
Most wars in history have been and are still being fought either due to nationalist or religious tyranny. These are often linked to sometimes become indistinguishable. The message is always - we are better than you, so you must submit.
In the recent census in Australia, 38.9% claimed no religion. This rate is growing and is alarming the priestly classes of the religions practiced here. More worryingly, it is the younger people who are rebelling.
Perhaps their rebelling has a message. They find religion, buried as it often is in age-old ritual and belief, does not respond to the challenges they face in modern life.
Perhaps it’s time for religion and the religious elite to learn some humility.
We are all searching for the answers to well-being, happiness, peace of mind, particularly in our fast moving, media controlled, and competitive society. They should join us in this search for answers, with more open minds. It may help increase their following.
Matilda responded to the above Blog with this Addendum on 1 February 2023 -
Rituals are innate to humans. We tend to live our days in a certain order which may be seen as “having a set ritual.” When our day proceeds in this fashion we tend to think we had a “normal” day.
We also mark certain important thresholds in our lives by following rituals which are usually set by the religious priest/ministers. So births, marriages, events around maturing like one’s 21st birthdays or death are generally considered important and sacred events hence these events are marked by rituals. Hopefully people have a choice and understand the significance of what they are observing.
Rituals become harmful when they are forced on individuals or when they encourage a power imbalance in one’s relationships.
Matilda