Religion

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)

15. I think religion is more about the symbols and ceremonies than the beliefs

Fri Jan 18, 2019, 03:18 AM

Jan 2019

Most people don't know much about the theology of their religion. If religion were just about theology, it would be as boring as any other academic subject. But people do enjoy ceremonies, music and social events and celebrating in a common purpose. The stated purpose is less important than the fact it is a shared event that brings them together.

So I view the term "civil religion" as more of an analogy than an actual religion. It's an American ritual to watch fireworks on Independence Day, because it something enjoyable we do with other Americans. It's a bit similar to a religious ritual, but it's entire secular

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I think the idea of "civil religion" is a contradiction in terms. [View all] MineralMan Jan 2019 OP

It's just another attempt at equivocation. trotsky Jan 2019 #1

Yes, exactly. MineralMan Jan 2019 #2

Deism has more to do with the foundation of this country than theism Major Nikon Jan 2019 #3

Only very weak statements referring to any sort of deity MineralMan Jan 2019 #4

Out of the 7 most influential founding fathers... Major Nikon Jan 2019 #9

To the point. Firestorm49 Jan 2019 #5

I'm not so sure. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #6

While some minority of people might treat those things in those ways, MineralMan Jan 2019 #7

I think it is more pervasive, actually. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #8

That was one of the critiques of the idea immediately after it was presented Major Nikon Jan 2019 #10

Thus speaks the official definer. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #11

What are the first two words in my title, Guy? MineralMan Jan 2019 #12

Not a contradiction in terms, just something the US doesn't have muriel_volestrangler Jan 2019 #13

Religion does not have to be theistic. Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #14

While that's true, the word, religion, has theistic connotations MineralMan Jan 2019 #16

Oh absolutely and it was clear that is why Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #20

Yup. MineralMan Jan 2019 #21

You bring up a good point though I think the "religious" elements of this "civil religion" stuff... trotsky Jan 2019 #17

Yes the US version is clearly christian. Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #18

I think religion is more about the symbols and ceremonies than the beliefs marylandblue Jan 2019 #15

I understood "Civil Religion" uriel1972 Jan 2019 #19