2min chapter

Intelligence Squared cover image

The World Needs Religion Even if it Doesn't Need God

Intelligence Squared

CHAPTER

The Evolution of Religion

I think for atheists, the thing that is most difficult about religion is the idea of a central authority. That's not a side of religion that interests me. What I'm interested in is it where the ritualistic communal, organic side of religion wants to boss you around and tell you exactly what the moral commandments are. This is what philosophy, ethical philosophy is built on. There's an enormous difference between the aspiration to goodness and the certainty that you know what it is. Now, what? You don't need religion for goodness. No, no, you don’t need religion for any of this. The example of religion for atheists helps us to look at our own society and see

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