One thing the recently deceased Christopher Hitchens was famous for was his strident atheism. This was a subject of an interesting panel discussion on Chris Hayes' program last Sunday.
The basic thing I have to say about that is that there is little value in being an ass on the subject. Various aspects of religion can be an easy target and at times a valid one, but many who believe in God are not assholes or (to cite a clip shown) telling their kids a bunch of religious based lies. Likewise, those who think religion is "believing something higher than oneself" or something need not believe in God, an implication of one of the panel notwithstanding. And, unless "God" is truly a metaphor, someone using the "miracle" of childbirth to back the belief up is a bit lame. The woman knows biology, yes? Something might be "sacred" as in having a special meaning with particular emotional significance and not be unable to be described by natural means.
U.S. v. Seeger interpreted a statute that limited conscientious objector exemptions to those who believed in a "Supreme Being," in particular, "an individual's belief in a relation to a Supreme Being involving duties superior to those arising from any human relation, but [not including] essentially political, sociological, or philosophical views or a merely personal moral code." The ruling held that those with "a sincere and meaningful belief occupying in the life of its possessor a place parallel to that filled by the God of those admittedly qualified for the exemption" was covered too. Others used this basic definition to provide a meaning to "religion" in general.
A few excerpts:
People like Hitchens need to be a bit careful. After all, even a hero of Hitchens, Tom Paine, believed in God. For many, this is a religious time of year, even without Christmas mass. The Christmas Carol has both secular and religious qualities. "Religion" has a broad meaning and in practice it is so used, just like being a "Christian" often means "a good person."**
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* "Spiritual" according to Wikipedia concerns "deepest values and meanings by which people live." It is usually seen in a positive light, suggesting the person has some inner force that is guiding them with some overlap with one's "conscience." And, some who see themselves as "religious" have such an "inner light" without a firm connection to any organized religion.
** Dictionary.com defines "religion" thusly: "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs."
The "superhuman agency" part isn't mandatory. The word appears to have come from a word meaning "to tie or fasten" as in something that binds a person, an obligation to another. It also was understood as "conscientiousness, piety."
Even "born again" experiences are not always of a deistic character. Many activists, e.g., have what amounts to a religious moment when something seems crystal clear to them about their "ultimate concern" or purpose in life etc. They also can have changes of hearts and so forth.
The basic thing I have to say about that is that there is little value in being an ass on the subject. Various aspects of religion can be an easy target and at times a valid one, but many who believe in God are not assholes or (to cite a clip shown) telling their kids a bunch of religious based lies. Likewise, those who think religion is "believing something higher than oneself" or something need not believe in God, an implication of one of the panel notwithstanding. And, unless "God" is truly a metaphor, someone using the "miracle" of childbirth to back the belief up is a bit lame. The woman knows biology, yes? Something might be "sacred" as in having a special meaning with particular emotional significance and not be unable to be described by natural means.
U.S. v. Seeger interpreted a statute that limited conscientious objector exemptions to those who believed in a "Supreme Being," in particular, "an individual's belief in a relation to a Supreme Being involving duties superior to those arising from any human relation, but [not including] essentially political, sociological, or philosophical views or a merely personal moral code." The ruling held that those with "a sincere and meaningful belief occupying in the life of its possessor a place parallel to that filled by the God of those admittedly qualified for the exemption" was covered too. Others used this basic definition to provide a meaning to "religion" in general.
A few excerpts:
Over 250 [religious] sects inhabit our land. Some believe in a purely personal God, some in a supernatural deity; others think of religion as a way of life envisioning as its ultimate goal the day when all men can live together in perfect understanding and peace. There are those who think of God as the depth of our being; others, such as the Buddhists, strive for a state of lasting rest through self-denial and inner purification; in Hindu philosophy, the Supreme Being is the transcendental reality which is truth, knowledge and bliss.The "ultimate concern" reference is often a favored starting point mixed with other things such as rituals, doctrine and so forth. This is seen by the NY Society of Ethical Culture (which is also under state law allowed to officiate marriages along with traditionally recognized religious personnel). Some people say they are "spiritual"* and not "religious," the latter term apparently implying some sort of institutional arraignment or dogma with which they are not comfortable. But, one need not believe in God (even putting aside Buddhists or Taoists) to belong to one. Jewish atheists still can be practicing Jews. The Society of Ethical Culture at times speaks of themselves as a "religion." Unitarian Universalists include atheists. "Religion" has a broad meaning, including a sense of community that lapsed evangelist Bart Ehrman counsels those who don't believe in God to respect as often a basic human need and desire.
Protestant theologian, Dr. Paul Tillich: identifies God not as a projection "out there" or beyond the skies but as the ground of our very being.
"And if that word [God] has not much meaning for you, translate it, and speak of the depths of your life, of the source of your being, of your ultimate concern, of what you take seriously without any reservation. Perhaps, in order to do so, you must forget everything traditional that you have learned about God."
Ethical Culture: "Religion, for all the various definitions that have been given of it, must surely mean the devotion of man to the highest ideal that he can conceive."
People like Hitchens need to be a bit careful. After all, even a hero of Hitchens, Tom Paine, believed in God. For many, this is a religious time of year, even without Christmas mass. The Christmas Carol has both secular and religious qualities. "Religion" has a broad meaning and in practice it is so used, just like being a "Christian" often means "a good person."**
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* "Spiritual" according to Wikipedia concerns "deepest values and meanings by which people live." It is usually seen in a positive light, suggesting the person has some inner force that is guiding them with some overlap with one's "conscience." And, some who see themselves as "religious" have such an "inner light" without a firm connection to any organized religion.
** Dictionary.com defines "religion" thusly: "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs."
The "superhuman agency" part isn't mandatory. The word appears to have come from a word meaning "to tie or fasten" as in something that binds a person, an obligation to another. It also was understood as "conscientiousness, piety."
Even "born again" experiences are not always of a deistic character. Many activists, e.g., have what amounts to a religious moment when something seems crystal clear to them about their "ultimate concern" or purpose in life etc. They also can have changes of hearts and so forth.