[Paleopsych] religion

[Steve Hovland]

I think it is useful to separate religious technology
such as prayer from the encrustations of sectarian
belief systems.

Steve Hovland
www.stevehovland.net


-----Original Message-----
From:	Paul J. Werbos, Dr. [SMTP:paul.werbos at verizon.net]
Sent:	Thursday, February 24, 2005 1:29 PM
To:	The new improved paleopsych list; paleopsych at paleopsych.org
Subject:	Re: [Paleopsych] religion

We can agree reasonably far on what defines religion -- i.e. how we
decide what is or is not a "religion" in common language in English.
We can do so, at least by example. And Webster and the Oxford dictionary
have gone about as far as we can reasonably do with that aspect
of "what is religion?"

On the other hand, it is much harder for us even to discuss what the 
significance
of the phenomenon is, or even how it interacts dynamically with human
minds and human societies, if we make very different assumptions about the
spiritual aspects of life.

In a debate between the formalistic "people of the books," who see religion
as some kind of obedience to authority or commitment to a particular pile
of words -- versus modern secular humanism...
is there any hope of connecting to reality from either perspective?
Or is it like the logical thrashing of a kind of expert system which
does not have any inductive, sensory or semiotic component?

Whatever...

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