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People will disagree, but this is the sociological purpose of religion. Religious communities bring diverse people together, elevate the weakest, and promote so

People will disagree, but this is the sociological purpose of religion. Religious communities bring diverse people together, elevate the weakest, and promote societies that are competitive, but tempered by the empathy which comes from a shared identity. Is religion the answer to questions of inequality? Historically speaking, probably not on its own. However, it certainly informed most of the larger solutions we have today.

maldusiecle 11y ago
What a peculiar perspective. Do you have any sources for this? I've never heard it argued that religions create competitive societies, in particular. I would think that the opposite would be the case.
- deleted 11y ago
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anon4 11y ago
The one thing I'll disagree is with you calling it "purpose", rather than "function". One of the functions of religion is indeed better community cooperation. However, the purpose for which a particular religion was envisioned by its creator(s) is not necessarily the function it came to fulfill for some part of its existence.
- marcosdumay 11y ago
  No religion was simply created from nothing nor has a single identified creator. Arguing about the distinction between "purpose" and "function" of evolved features is a useless game of word semantics.
mark_l_watson 11y ago
I don't disagree. Although religion has facilitated a lot of evil (the crusades, burning women as witches, terrorism), on the whole I view most religion as a positive form of social engineering for some of the reasons that you mentioned. BTW, I am not religious per se, but I do meditate every day. I like my spirituality unorganized.
norswap 11y ago
The philosopher Alain de Botton is trying to push the idea of a "secular religion", or more simply to recognize that religion filled a social role and that we don't currently have a good replacement. See his TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/alain_de_botton_atheism_2_0#t-190709 https://www.ted.com/talks/alain_de_botton_atheism_2_0#t-1907... Also see this hilarious "secular sermon": https://vimeo.com/10601416 https://vimeo.com/10601416

maldusiecle 11y ago

What a peculiar perspective. Do you have any sources for this? I've never heard it argued that religions create competitive societies, in particular. I would think that the opposite would be the case.

deleted 11y ago
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anon4 11y ago

The one thing I'll disagree is with you calling it "purpose", rather than "function". One of the functions of religion is indeed better community cooperation. However, the purpose for which a particular religion was envisioned by its creator(s) is not necessarily the function it came to fulfill for some part of its existence.

marcosdumay 11y ago
No religion was simply created from nothing nor has a single identified creator. Arguing about the distinction between "purpose" and "function" of evolved features is a useless game of word semantics.

mark_l_watson 11y ago

I don't disagree. Although religion has facilitated a lot of evil (the crusades, burning women as witches, terrorism), on the whole I view most religion as a positive form of social engineering for some of the reasons that you mentioned. BTW, I am not religious per se, but I do meditate every day. I like my spirituality unorganized.

norswap 11y ago

The philosopher Alain de Botton is trying to push the idea of a "secular religion", or more simply to recognize that religion filled a social role and that we don't currently have a good replacement. See his TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/alain_de_botton_atheism_2_0#t-190709 https://www.ted.com/talks/alain_de_botton_atheism_2_0#t-1907... Also see this hilarious "secular sermon": https://vimeo.com/10601416 https://vimeo.com/10601416