That provides a core place that satisfies that human need for belonging that non-theists do not enjoy. Not that they can't find it elsewhere, of course, but I would argue that they would struggle to find one that offers the same sense of community on such a grand scale.
What difference does the scale make when all you need is a "sense of community"? But let's look at a few of the other available options of belonging to a sense of community that have nothing whatsoever to do with religion.
Your immediate/extended family.
Your neighborhood.
Your local schools, libraries, sporting events, shops, etc.
Your sense of patriotism.
Belonging to a team of any kind.
Working at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, food pantry.
Volunteering for things like Habitat for Humanity.
Joining a protest or a parade.
Yes, I could go on but by now I think you get the picture that there are many other options out there besides religion.
Yes all those things apply and can provide a sense of community and support. I would argue though that religion (
when used properly - I need to stress that) has as one of it's primary purposes the goal of providing a sense of peace, inner security, and comfort to the overall lives of the practitioner. Belonging to a team may provide that, but the effect will be specific to the function of the team. Volunteering can certainly provide a sense of community and a sense of purpose and it's just generally a good thing to do, but does it give one's overall life a sense of completion? For some perhaps, but I would say that for most it probably doesn't. Furthermore, those things are often occasional. If one wishes to join a parade, there has to
be a parade. If one wishes to help build a house for the needy, they have to wait until the opportunity arises around them. One can go to scripture or withdraw into God at a moment's notice, at any place, for any reason without the need for external opportunity.
Don't misunderstand. I didn't say non-theists could
not find that sense of community. It's simply that with religion it is far more accessible
That outlet is something that non-theists don't have to rely upon when dealing with issues that are beyond their control. They may find something else or some other way to remove that stress (and perhaps they will be so kind as to educate me about what that is), but I would argue that whatever it is they find, it might relieve some physical or emotional stresses on a temporary basis but it will not provide them with a sense of spiritual peace.
Seriously?
Non-theists have no alternatives to "spiritual peace" that you can only get with religion?
Ever heard of yoga, massage, Tai chi, meditation, aroma therapy, watching a movie, making love, going for a walk, playing with your dog, talking to a friend, etc, etc?
Yes, there are plenty of perfectly good ways to relieve physical and emotional stress without ever having to go anywhere near religion.
Ahhh...but yoga, tai chi, even love making, etc all involve some form of spirituality. It may not be stressed as a "religion" so to speak but they all involve a spiritual connection to another person, the world around them, the Tao...whatever it may be. Personally, I would lump those in with forms of religious stress relief because they involve a spiritual element. But you must also understand my personal perspective. I do not see one who does not believe in God yet maintains a sense of spirituality to be a
"true atheist". I don't know exactly how I would define them, but tending to one's spirituality is...to me personally...contrary to what
I would consider "pure atheism" and would therefore fall under the umbrella of religion when defined loosely.
But let's put what you claim to be a "stress reliever" into context from an outsider's perspective. What you described above is nothing more than a "spiritual crutch" for those who lack the means to cope with life. Yes, billions pf people do make use of it on a daily basis but that doesn't alter the fact that it is just a convenient way to ignore a situation that should probably be dealt with, but instead it is just an escape from personal responsibility by dumping it on an imaginary parent figure.
Does that sound like harsh criticism? It most probably does but the truth is often hard to swallow.
Dealing with your problems makes you a better person IMO. "Putting it in God's hands" means you remain an emotional child who needs an adult to take care of them.
We do ourselves a disservice when we don't deal with our own problems, no matter how enormous or frightening they might appear to be. Yes, it can be scary dealing with something you have never experienced before. But dealing with it makes you stronger and yes, that is not just my opinion.
This is exactly what I expected to hear.
Is it a crutch? Well if it is, then to an atheist it's a maddeningly effective one.
Anytime I have said "
pfft...this is too much for me. God I am handing this off to you" I have felt an indescribable sense of relief and comfort and I don't worry about it anymore. Now as I said, this should be reserved for times of stress wherein one has no control of the outcome. It has nothing to do with solving one's problems. If one has the ability to solve it they should. If one has resentment they should go to a counsellor and learn to cope with it. If one has a drinking problem they should go to AA. If one's car breaks down they should go to a mechanic or learn to fix it themselves. Those are not the things I am talking about
Take my previous example of a person who hears that there will be a mass layoff at his place of employment in a week. Now all week, he is going to have to sit there and wonder if his job is safe. In reality, there isn't much he can do about it. He can lobby on his behalf or try to talk to the bosses or perhaps start looking for another job just in case he gets cut, but in reality his security rests in the hands of others and he has little to no control over the outcome. That's a great time for a person of faith to "
give it to God". Is it a crutch? I don't think so. In my view, a crutch is trying to relieve that stress by drinking or taking drugs or engaging in destructive behaviors such as having an affair or getting into a fight or gambling or what have you.
I ask you....which is healthier in that situation? Giving it to God or giving it to the bottle?
Ok DT...so these studies show that theists are generally happier than non-theists. Let's just assume the studies are accurate. That means then that religion is offering something to their adherents that non-theists are not being provided with. What do
you think that might be?
) Therefore I think that the pollsters could not separate out the honest answers from the expectation answers in that survey and therefore the findings are suspect IMO.
