Downstream: Would the World Be Better Without Religion? w/ Aaron Bastani and Ash Sarkar
Jan 29, 2024
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Aaron Bastani and Ash Sarkar discuss the influence of religion on values, politics, and personal beliefs. They explore Marx's critique of religion, the origins and messages of Jesus Christ, forgiveness in Christianity, status of women in Abrahamic religions, the impact of dating apps and shame on female sexuality, Greek history's influence on democracy and sexuality, same-sex marriage in the Catholic Church, and the role of religion and secular atheism in society.
Religion plays a crucial role in shaping values and beliefs, fostering discussions on shared values.
Monotheistic faiths like Christianity have influenced social behavior and community care.
Religious beliefs can lead to both revolutionary movements and complicity in oppressive systems.
Individual freedom and choice should coexist with religious beliefs, promoting forgiveness and concern for others.
Deep dives
The Importance of Discussing Religion
Religion is a topic that often gets overlooked in discussions. However, it plays a crucial role in shaping our values and beliefs as a society. While there is value in separating church and state, we should not ignore the important discussions about shared values that religion can bring. It is essential to consider how beliefs and faith impact our understanding of right and wrong, and how religion can be a force for good in promoting forgiveness, repentance, and love for others.
Personal Faith and Political Values
The podcast episode explores the personal journey of Aaron Bastani, co-founder of Navarro Media, and his exploration of faith. Growing up with a Catholic mother and a Muslim father, Aaron reflects on the role of religion in shaping his politics. He discusses how his personal faith and Catholic wedding with his wife have deepened his understanding of duty, obligation, and the importance of making the world a better place. He also acknowledges the transformative power of religious teachings such as repentance, forgiveness, and loving one's enemies, and their potential to clash with the values of a secular, profit-driven society.
Religion as a Moral Foundation
The podcast brings attention to the role of religion in providing a moral foundation for society. It argues that monotheistic faiths like Christianity have shaped the concept of universal humanity and the belief in a shared set of values. By highlighting historical examples such as the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire, the podcast emphasizes how religious beliefs can influence social behavior, community care during times of crises, and help people make sense of right and wrong.
The Complex Relationship Between Religion and Politics
The podcast delves into the complex relationship between religion and politics. It examines the tensions that exist within religious beliefs, where some interpretations can lead to revolutionary movements challenging oppressive systems, while others can become complicit in maintaining the status quo. The discussion also raises questions about how faith should interact with politics and how a society can navigate diverse deeply-held beliefs while still striving for consensus on key issues such as abortion, gay marriage, and divorce.
The Influence of Religion on Personal Choices and Society
The podcast episode explores the speaker's personal perspective on religion and its impact on personal choices and society. The speaker emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and choice when it comes to personal matters such as abortion and the construction of society based on religious precepts. They argue for the necessity of living in a society that allows individuals to have access to different choices, acknowledging the complexity of human beings and the failure of theocracies. The speaker also highlights the importance of religion not being judgmental and not imposing one's beliefs on others, encouraging a liberal way of living that includes forgiveness and concern for the happiness of others.
The Role of Ritual and Community in Modern Society
The podcast episode delves into the significance of ritual and community in modern society. The speaker raises the question of how much religion is needed in contemporary society and discusses the potential for secular versions of rituals and community to have profound meaning without the need for a divine presence. They explore the loss of ritual and community values in the modern world and the challenges of finding alternative sources of communal bonds beyond individualism and market-driven capitalism. The speaker suggests that societies need rituals and a sense of belonging to thrive, even if they are not linked directly to religion.
The Complex Relationship Between Religion and Misogyny
The podcast episode analyzes the complex relationship between religion and misogyny. The speaker acknowledges that while some aspects of Abrahamic religions have historically improved the status of women and established legal protections for them, there is an undeniable prevalence of negative messages surrounding female sexuality and the control of women's bodies. They raise concerns about the negative impact of shame and control on women's sexuality and the psychological damage it can cause. The speaker also questions the idea that religion is solely responsible for misogyny, highlighting that these issues predate religious texts and suggesting that societal values and human flaws contribute to the problem.
Twenty years ago, it was taken for granted that on average, people globally were shrugging off the shackles of organised religion. The world was destined for secularism. But with demographics trends in many countries pointing towards a growing religious population and with secular liberal politics failing to offer solace from falling living standards, we should […]
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