Monday, February 27, 2006

Belonging and Rationality

In a review of Daniel Dennett's "Breaking the Spell: Religion As a Natural Phenomenon" Andrew Brown writes that
[Dennett] understands that modern religions derive their coherence precisely from the fact that a creed is a statement of belonging as much as of belief.
Many people don't particularly believe in a supernatural entity but take part in the rituals and ceremonies purely for the sense of community and identity; some probably see it as a networking opportunity; and others probably believe in fairies at the bottom of the garden.

There's further discussion about religion, in response to an article by Madelaine Bunting, here.

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