What if There Were No Religions?

Last updated on: February 7, 2011 at 5:29 pm by Sam Alexander

What if There Were No Religions? 2011-02-07T17:29:11-07:00 Sam Alexander

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

FPCSRLogo What if there were no religions?

I like John Lennon as much as the next guy, but this line had to be his low point. Nevertheless, it’s still alive. I saw it on a bumper sticker: What if there were no religions?

I can understand wanting a world without the Santa Claus god – the one who’s making his list and checking it twice. That view of God, a view so many haven’t yet replaced, has done enough damage. I’m heart broken every time I talk to someone in crisis and they wonder if God is punishing them. So let me see if I can say this clearly: THERE IS NO SUCH GOD.

Anyway, I can understand imagining a world without that. But no religion? Sadly we don’t have to imagine that. We’re living it with all its attendant consequences. Religion – I know it’s a dirty word, but when religions do their job, they offer a context of meaning, a reason for being, a framework within which to live our lives. If I don’t know why I’m here, then it simply doesn’t matter what I do.

This week’s cover article in the Pacific Sun describes the youth culture of “sexting” in Marin. This is texting with a highly charged sexual edge. We’re talking about 14 year old girls sending, (how shall I put it?), inappropriate pictures of themselves from their cell phones.

So here’s my question: Why shouldn’t they? What’s the big deal? Any convincing answer will inevitably come from within a religious context. Mine would go something like this: “Because you are a beautiful and valuable young woman. God created you to be a lover, one who experiences the profound erotic pleasure that comes from living into relationships that reflect the creative power of a God who draws all things together in perfect harmony. Degrading your body this way works counter to that purpose.” (Granted, I’d have to find hipper language.) If you have grown up outside of a religious context, that answer will sound hollow. Within one, you may make mistakes, but you will be able to discern when your life is missing that mark.

Imagine no religion? Are we crazy? Without religion we have only animal instincts and pop culture to guide us; hence the youth culture of sexting – just to pick an example.

I know that religion can’t make verifiable claims to truth – that’s why they call it faith – but faith has power. For tens of thousands of years, people have discerned the presence of God, the power driving creation forward, and they have described God within their “worldview.” Did they get it right? Can we? I don’t know; right and wrong aren’t words I use in this context. But we’re fools not to try because they were pointing towards something real, and that something provided a context of meaning that sustained them when crisis overtook their lives. That’s what religion does. Do we really want to imagine a world without that?

Theological Musings

First Presbyterian Church San Rafael California Marin Rev. Sam Alexander progressive integral christianity evolutionary 5thandE.org Bible sermon gracecomesfirst patheos expert WHAT IF THERE WERE NO RE

Previous Post

January 5, 2011

Why Isn’t It Cool to Be a Christian?

Next Post

May 2, 2011 Justice is Served?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Clubs Sermons Theological Musings Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 June 2014 November 2013 October 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 July 2011 May 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 July 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz