Tribal loyalty towards your former religion
July 12, 2015 at 9:01 am
(This post was last modified: July 12, 2015 at 9:02 am by Aaran.)
Hi,
I understand that it isn't altogether uncommon for one who has experienced a deconversion to retain an appreciation of their erstwhile faith, an affection which may even translate into a sort of vestige of tribal loyalty. Richard Dawkins (who considers himself to be culturally Anglican), Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry all admit to a certain love of the Anglican communion in spite of their atheism, and I feel as though I can sympathize with this sensation.
I'd like to better understand this phenomenon. Is it perhaps because it appeals to our innate need for theatrics and ceremony?
Do any of you who were formerly religious esteem some aspects of your old faiths? What of those of you who've never actually experienced the religious impulse, what do you make of this?
I understand that it isn't altogether uncommon for one who has experienced a deconversion to retain an appreciation of their erstwhile faith, an affection which may even translate into a sort of vestige of tribal loyalty. Richard Dawkins (who considers himself to be culturally Anglican), Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry all admit to a certain love of the Anglican communion in spite of their atheism, and I feel as though I can sympathize with this sensation.
I'd like to better understand this phenomenon. Is it perhaps because it appeals to our innate need for theatrics and ceremony?
Do any of you who were formerly religious esteem some aspects of your old faiths? What of those of you who've never actually experienced the religious impulse, what do you make of this?
