Good morning! THE CASE FOR RELIGION I thank Ron Stern for turning me on to an article in The Atlantic that comes the closest to explaining the religious fervor with which people embrace political positions—including conspiracy theories. The basic thesis is this: In the past half century, we’ve experienced a drop in religious affiliation from over 70% to less than 20% of the population. But that void hasn’t remained a void (remember the maxim, “equity abhors a vacuum”). We humans have a need to find a touchstone around which we can build a belief system and a way of life. For all the challenges religion has presented throughout history, religion and religious institutions have provided a moral center—a third party intermediator—to provide us a “starting point” from which to face the world. The article’s premise is that religious affiliation and fervor is being replaced with political affiliation and fervor. People seek connection with others and they seek a belief system that regularly is repeated, supported and defended.
#81 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Wednesday July 7)
#81 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Wednesday July…
#81 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Wednesday July 7)
Good morning! THE CASE FOR RELIGION I thank Ron Stern for turning me on to an article in The Atlantic that comes the closest to explaining the religious fervor with which people embrace political positions—including conspiracy theories. The basic thesis is this: In the past half century, we’ve experienced a drop in religious affiliation from over 70% to less than 20% of the population. But that void hasn’t remained a void (remember the maxim, “equity abhors a vacuum”). We humans have a need to find a touchstone around which we can build a belief system and a way of life. For all the challenges religion has presented throughout history, religion and religious institutions have provided a moral center—a third party intermediator—to provide us a “starting point” from which to face the world. The article’s premise is that religious affiliation and fervor is being replaced with political affiliation and fervor. People seek connection with others and they seek a belief system that regularly is repeated, supported and defended.