Borrowing from religion

I occasionally listen to the show On Being put out by American Public Media and heard on NPR. I usually hear it on my way home from the monthly inclusive worship services held at another church, so I tend to listen to only half the program. I heard tonight's topic while listening to the news, so I listened, even though I was at home for the whole program.

Host Krista Tippett had a nearly hour-long discussion with Alain de Botton. He describes himself as an atheist who has discovered there are aspects of religion that should be brought into modern life. As part of that he has opened The School of Life in London and wrote the book Religion for Atheists. Some of the things they talked about:

Religion does ritual very well. In particular it does weddings and funerals well. People with no religious inclinations will still get married and want their funeral in a church. In the same way that Christianity adapted pagan practices, atheists can adapt the best of Christian rituals for secular use.

Christian art and architecture is beautiful. It is important to stand in a cathedral and experience its vastness and the way it makes a person feel small. An atheist looking at a religious work may not get or agree with the sacred message, but a secular spirituality is important too.

Christians too often think that an atheist has no morals. Secular public spaces tend to have Christian messages (perhaps unintentionally) or intentionally have no moral references at all. Neither is ideal. No moral discussion means the only thing discussed is commercialism, to the detriment of the society. So let's have a public discussion of morals and wisdom. Most secular society does not discuss how to live. Religions start with the premise that learning how to live is important. As part of the School of Life the meetings include sermons. This title is used intentionally. The topic of discussion isn't for entertainment or information, but is intended to prompt thought about a better way of living.

de Botton heard people say what parts of the Christian church they liked. This included singing songs together, discussing important issues (perhaps through sermons), and having tea afterwards. So, he said, let's include those things. Let's form a community that takes care of each other. Let's do things together we can't do on our own.

Most debates about religion are about proving or disproving the existence of God. How boring! Those debates never get anywhere. It is more useful to discuss in what ways various aspects of religion can benefit the rest of society.

My friend and debate partner, by this point, is probably muttering something about how much all this looks like the Unitarian Universalist Church he attends. He's not alone. There are a few comments on the show's page that say the same thing. One responder had read the book and started an email conversation with de Botton, who replied he knew nothing of the UU teachings and traditions and was delighted to learn.

The book, of course, started a controversy. Atheists thought the author was too soft on religion. Believers wondered how he could enjoy the trappings of religion and yet refuse belief in God. But, he replied, religions do many things very well and not all of them depend on a faith in God. Secular people need those things too. Why invent what already exists?

I'll have to get the book.