Is Religion Still Relevant?

Christopher Hitchens said that religion was our first attempt to make sense of the world. It was the best we could do at the time, but has gradually been made obsolete by modern replacements. Religious myths have been replaced by scientific understanding. Religious laws and morality have been replaced by modern notions of law, justice and ethics. Our desire for art, entertainment and community can now be catered by an endless array of secular sources.

But many people believe that without religion or belief, there is something missing from our lives. They value their religious beliefs, practices, traditions and culture, and see no contradiction between religion and modern life.

Is there any use or place for religion today? Should traditional, organized religions be replaced by personal or new-age spiritual beliefs? Or should we abandon the notion of faith-based belief altogether?

Excerpt

Christopher Hitchens said that religion was our first attempt to make sense of the world. It was the best we could do at the time, but has gradually been made obsolete by modern replacements. Religious myths have been replaced by scientific understanding. Religious laws and morality have been replaced by modern notions of law, justice and ethics. Our desire for art, entertainment and community can now be catered by an endless array of secular sources. Is there any use or place for religion today? Should traditional, organized religions be replaced by personal or new-age spiritual beliefs? Or should we abandon the notion of faith-based belief altogether?

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