Humanist Philosophy: Humanism & Religion
Sunday November 23, 2008
Much of the time, the humanistic perspective on religion is critical: humanists critique religious dogmas, religious violence, religious history, and the belief in the supernatural common to so many religious systems. It is easy, then, to regard the relationship between religion and humanism as fundamentally antagonistic. But is that really all there is?
Read Article: Humanism & Religion
Comments
In the Dec. 2008/Jan. 2009 issue of “Free Inquiry,” Gregory S. Paul makes a strong case that “For the majority, religiosity appears to be a superficial, fear-driven means of alleviating chronic stress and anxiety created by an insecure societal environment. It is readily cast off when socioeconomic conditions are sufficiently benign.”
He also says, “… far from being either universal or integral to human minds, most religious faith is a casual opinion of convenience.”
This is an interesting essay and worth reading.