Wednesday October 1, 2008
Unrecognized religions
We were counting the number of people attending church, a few of us, the other day. The numbers are down — again.
I haven\’t gone visiting other churches in the area. But I have an impression that none feel over-crowded. I know of only one new church built in the last 15 years – the rest are all carryovers from a more overtly religious time.
So what\’s happened?
I suspect that people are giving their allegiance to other kinds of religions. Except we don\’t think of them as religions. We assume that any new religion will call itself a religion, and will display the trademarks of a religion — creeds, liturgies, priests…
In fact, new religions are usually promoted as a new way of living, not as a religion at all. Jesus thought he was renewing a moribund and legalistic Judaism. The Buddha brought new insights about enlightenment to existing Hindu practices. Among world religions, perhaps only Mohammed deliberately create a new religious faith.
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We fail to recognize the new religions because they don\’t call themselves religions. But from their adherents, they command the same kind of unquestioning commitment.
Here are some that occur to me.
1. Individualism. In his book, Habits of the Heart, Robert Bellah commented that we are so accustomed to thinking of ourselves as individuals, that the only alternative we can imagine is to be even more individualistic. We no longer see ourselves as community; it\’s all me, Me, ME…
2. Technology. Whatever the problem – from global warming to psychological depression — we believe that we can fix it. All it takes is the right new or improved technology. We don\’t have to stop cutting trees; we just need to log them more efficiently. We demand “fast fast relief” from pharmaceuticals; cleaner cars mean we can keep driving…
3. Economics. There are many schools of economics, but they all assume that everything — even happiness — can be expressed as a financial value. Some propose that trees and fish and running water should be harvested; others believe they should be preserved — both validate their views with economic arguments.
4. Hedonism. For some people, nothing matters but personal pleasure — whether it\’s golf courses, kiddie porn, or Belgian chocolate.
5. Consumerism. This promotes the doctrine of conditional love. Wear this shirt, drive this car, use this perfume, if you want to be accepted. Some people find it impossible to walk through a mall without buying something — spending makes them feel good.
6. Relativism. Everything\’s relative. Your view is just as valid as his. But you cannot claim that your view is right and his is wrong — that would violate the fundamental principle of relativism.
I\’m sure there are other modern religions. Sports and politics come to mind. These views permeate every corner of people\’s lives. Their holders cannot imagine life without that perspective.
Their secular religion shapes their lives and their attitudes more consistently and more rigorously than many who still attend traditional Sunday morning services.
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Copyright © 2007 by Jim Taylor. Non-profit use in congregations and study groups permitted; all other rights reserved.
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