RE: The functionalism of religion
October 2, 2014 at 12:23 pm
(This post was last modified: October 2, 2014 at 12:26 pm by Michael B.)
If we are focussing on the function of religion, then certainly religion has been functional in my life and the life of my family. Examples would include:
1) A place to explore and express the sense of the numinous. Bringing us in touch with others, both past and present, who also have explored this sense.
2) A place to explore and discuss morality.
3) A place that encourages and facilitates quiet reflection (in 'retreats').
4) A vehicle of charity, both locally and internationally. As a family we've been involved with this both practically (giving time) and financially (giving money to both huge and very small international projects).
5) A place of education: both our children benefited from an absolutely superb Christian school that had both brilliant academic results and encouraged a charitable attitude in life (the school supports education and welfare in a town in Uganda, for example).
6) A social framework that brings together people from very different backgrounds (e.g. age, income, education).
7) A community that is supportive, both emotionally and practically, when going through anxious or troubled times.
8) A place and community that supports discernment of direction in life.
So for me personally there is absolutely no question about whether religion can add to the functioning of society: it simply has for me, my family and my friends. What I find I more interesting is how atheists might bring some of the functionality we perhaps take for granted into their own communities (or whether, elsewhere, that functionality is simply lost). I see things like the 'Sunday Assembly' trying to do some of the above, though it is perhaps a little early to see whether they can build a genuinely supportive community (I hope they do).
So, that's just a personal reflection.
1) A place to explore and express the sense of the numinous. Bringing us in touch with others, both past and present, who also have explored this sense.
2) A place to explore and discuss morality.
3) A place that encourages and facilitates quiet reflection (in 'retreats').
4) A vehicle of charity, both locally and internationally. As a family we've been involved with this both practically (giving time) and financially (giving money to both huge and very small international projects).
5) A place of education: both our children benefited from an absolutely superb Christian school that had both brilliant academic results and encouraged a charitable attitude in life (the school supports education and welfare in a town in Uganda, for example).
6) A social framework that brings together people from very different backgrounds (e.g. age, income, education).
7) A community that is supportive, both emotionally and practically, when going through anxious or troubled times.
8) A place and community that supports discernment of direction in life.
So for me personally there is absolutely no question about whether religion can add to the functioning of society: it simply has for me, my family and my friends. What I find I more interesting is how atheists might bring some of the functionality we perhaps take for granted into their own communities (or whether, elsewhere, that functionality is simply lost). I see things like the 'Sunday Assembly' trying to do some of the above, though it is perhaps a little early to see whether they can build a genuinely supportive community (I hope they do).
So, that's just a personal reflection.
