The Religious Void

[John 6IX Breezy]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninian_Sma...f_religion

The dimensions seem to be useful for defining a religious body, however I'm more concerned with the behavior of it's members. For example, I don't believe the DNC or the GOP are religious institutions, but I do think some members are engaging with them religiously. It's bringing out of them a religious-type following.

I do want to clarify that my focus isn't exclusively on politics. It could be fashion, the chess club, or multi-level marketing. Are people more likely to engage with these religiously, in the absence of an actual religion to which they can adhere to.

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It looks as though you’ve answered your own question. If people - religious and irreligious - engage in religion-like behaviour, it seems moot as to whether being part of a structured religion mitigates religious behaviour in non-religious arenas.

Boru

I think the mitigation (if it exists) is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, because it could still correlate with how involved you are within your particular religion. Meaning that a nun who is invested in her religious outlet is less likely to behave religiously towards politics; but a nominal christian that isn't as invested might still behave religiously towards other organizations.

Secondly, because I do wonder what the outcome is. For example, our brains are wired to protect against scarcity, and this leads to obesity when food is plentiful. So if we're wired to behave religiously, is it better to do so within a religious institution than outside of one? Are there any interesting repercussions when there's a mismatch of religious behavior towards secular groups?