Separation of Science and State

[Sal]

You're switching words around. Either a religion is united into a moral community by a Church. Or a Church is united in a moral whole by a religion.

This is so sad to read. Genuinely. I even suspected you to be trolling, but you really think that TGN is being obtuse. He's not.

Here's some 'homework', John, re-read your and TGNs back-and-forth, in a new light, later.

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You have, Sal.  I'd call it a system of government that employed primitive sciences.  

Giving a credible explanation to some observed phenomena (credible to them) was the same sort of activity with the same ort of value then as now.  That's -why- science has to drag these primitives kicking and screaming along.  They've filled their descriptive sets with non-negotiable items claimed as fact in the process of conveying normative content.

John....anyone can read what I've posted.  Anyone can read durkheims definition of religion.  I'm honestly amazed that you're pushing back here.  That religion is normative isn't exactly controversial.  I could cycle through a half dozen other definitions of a religion and while they may differ in every other respect, they will all agree that normativity is an essential component of a religion.

That's actually very illuminating, bright even. Thanks. Much appreciated.

I cannot deny the scars that being a believer has done to my mind, but they are there. I really need the, almost comforting, reassurance that there are people who never believed.