John Thornton wrote:
>
>
> Can someone please explain why a material human explanation is
> insufficient?
While Michael Smith has a point on this, I'll offer a partial response to the question. Religion is an expression of human solidariy -- human solidarity without the material conditions (or perceived conditions) for conscious solidarity around consciously human goals. The Mass in B, like Book 24 of the Iliad, is a hymn to human solidarity.
When religion decays to mere "spirituality" such as is often proclaimed on this list, then it is no longer human solidarity but spoilt solidarity, solidarity confined to the "spiritual" person's own ego & those he/she can approve of.
Carrol