>I think a problem here may be in people's differing definitions of
>religion. I take it to mean something like the unity of the
>following three:
>
>1. belief that something exists outside of experience and outside of
>possible conceptualization (this is very bad phraseology on my part,
>but I hope you get the general idea);
>
>2. belief that relating to this something is important in some way
>for human existence;
>
>3. a conceptual system, whether simple or complex, whether formally
>organized or not, for relating human existence to that something.
This is a common misconception of what religion is. The supernatural aspects of religion are kind of window dressing really. Its really about dogmatic acceptance of the basic tenets of your culture. In a materialist sense religion serves the vital function of passing knowledge and culture down through the generations.
The great advantage of religion is that it spares each generation from re-evaluating everything it has to know about the world in order to survive. What has been learned and passed the test of time and survival, is accepted without question, no awkward questions.
It might seem a weakness that this dogmatic acceptance of your ancestors' belief system and way of doing things doesn't allow for any questioning. But that is actually a strength in hard times. Saves a lot of effort, is very efficient in terms of man-hours needed to learn. Just accept the authority of the priests.
And if the environment doesn't change substantially, then it is safe to assume it will work fine. It worked fine for your ancestors, or you wouldn't be here.
If the environment does change of course, especially if it changes suddenly, then your society and culture are probably doomed. Unless by some chance your culture's dogmas happens to have an answer. Plently of cultures have come and gone, some adapted to change, most didn't. Some adopted the dogmas of more successful cultures. Some adapted aspects of other cultures. hardly anyone has ever had the luxury of time and resources to actually think solutions through logically.
What worked worked and what didn't didn't. Cultural evolution. With culture transmitted through the generations as dogma. As religion.
That's all religion is. The supernatural stuff is just the frills and dressing sometimes used to justify the authority of the priests who needed to impose the ancient customs. All this mumbo-jumbo shouldn't be confused with the real thing.
Bill Bartlett Bracknell Tas