Unity

A group of kids at play. Their parents summon them for services. Some of the kids go to synagogue, others church, others mosque. This shows the kids that they are not all the same.

People tend to regards their differences as a source of pride when instead we should be looking to reduce the number of fictional barriers separating us. This is not to say that we should discard our pasts, but that we should look to share them with each other instead of using them to alienate the other.

The problem with religion isn’t the things that different religions agree on (such as God and kindness). The problem with religion is the things they don’t agree on (such as what books God wrote, and specifics about what God expects of us).

There are many things which religion has hijacked and claims a monopoly on. Many of us can’t imagine valuing these things without religious context. God (supernatural consciousness), gratitude, humility, modesty, honesty, fidelity, family, community, charity, celebration, singing, chanting, candle light, ritual, art, day of rest (holyday), ect., are all things which can be venerated without requiring supernatural decree.

Truth is Paramount

I concede that it is possible that a consciousness may have created the natural world. I have an issue though with people who act like they know the answer to this question.

On the other hand, thinking that this creator answers prayers, will alleviate one infant’s pain because its parents prayed, while letting another infant suffer because its parents didn’t pray, 1. seems to me to be an unreasonable conclusion, and 2. this would not be a god you can call ‘good’.

Furthermore, thinking that this creator prefers that you use specific texts when you pray, seems to me to be entirely irrational.

Honesty, a perpetual quest for the most knowable facts, can be the only path toward a good life.