Very well written, as usual. But many other modern institutions have analogous ancient institutions that look rather silly by modern standards. Consider trial by combat in law, or ancient scholastic obsessions with the “true” meaning of ancient texts. If lawyers and academics can disavow these ancient practices, while still embracing a true essence of law or academia, why can’t religious folks disavow ancient religious practice in favor of some true essence that makes sense in modern terms?
Because religion cites their ancient texts as authority, their historical teachers as guides and examples to be emulated. And this is a necessary part of many religions which would not survive without it.
Trial by combat is gone, and no one cites the code duello as a legal text. Law firms don’t cite a professional duelist as a respected founding member to be emulated.
The theory of the four elements is gone. Scientists no longer cite Aristotle as an authority on physics. “Ipse dixit,” isn’t used even when Aristotle was right.
The theories of colonialism and racial superiority are on the outs. No one publicly asks on a question of government policy “What would Cecil Rhodes do?” Much less assume that that’s the right thing to do. Even if they like some writings of Thomas Jefferson, they don’t claim they are right because Jefferson wrote them.
Christians cite old testament laws to condemn homosexuality or genesis as an actual text. They cite Moses or Paul as authorities on morality. As authorities on anything. They guide themselves by asking “WWJD?” Catholics even hold up the institution of the papacy as giving moral authority, and accept that the Borgias were legitimate moral authorities.
If a person doesn’t view the bible as giving useful historical or scientific knowledge; If they don’t accept the teachings of Moses, Paul or Jesus as being specially relevant; If they don’t hold up Jesus as a paragon of virtue to be emulated; In what way are they still a Christian?
Perhaps not what most religious folks would call its ‘essence’ (part of the problem that they won’t admit this really) but certain religion-based social norms which are still relevant in today’s world.
I once read an article to the effect that, even among non-religious people, people who grew up in traditionally predominantly Catholic areas are more likely to forgive minor rule violations, people who grew up in traditionally predominantly Calvinist areas are more likely to value economic success a lot, etc.
But we can clearly identify what we mean by the “core” of law (organizing rules for society) and the “core” of academia (collective pursuit of knowledge). No one seems able to agree what the “core” of religion is (not questioning authority?).
In my understanding, religion carries on the practices done by ancient people for a superstitious cause, and so I wouldn’t expect them to disavow something that is passed down. Not all lawyers and academics understand the reason religious people give.
Well, name a religion that’s true. The problem with religion is that the emotions and experiences it evokes, qua emotions and experiences, are invariably tied to some kind of belief and ritual, and since the beliefs are invariably wrong, you always end up with a toxic practice.
Maybe the people who are disavowing ancient religious practice in favor of some true essence that makes sense in modern terms are coming up with something you wouldn’t categorise as religion.
I think the analogy works only so far. In both law and academics, “true essence” has remained constant through time, even though practices and techniques have changed, they have not altered the true essence which makes sense in modern times but also made sense and is the same exact true essence from ancient times. To claim ethics to be the true essence of religion thus mandates that it remain constant, and taken literally from the texts, where then mass murder of newborns and non believers becomes a problem for someone who claims to take their ethical cue from ancient scripture.
Really? I’m not sure much has remained constant at all. My response would be that we don’t actually have a meaningful choice about keeping laws of some kind in existence, and I don’t know what “ancient scholastic obsessions” he could mean if not religious ones. E.g, most interpretations of Plato or Aristotle at least had a religious aspect. (And even so, we probably should re-examine academic traditions from time to time.)
I feel like there is something deeply wrong with your reasoning. “Law” is general concept, not something based on a single book from thousands of years ago.
Very well written, as usual. But many other modern institutions have analogous ancient institutions that look rather silly by modern standards. Consider trial by combat in law, or ancient scholastic obsessions with the “true” meaning of ancient texts. If lawyers and academics can disavow these ancient practices, while still embracing a true essence of law or academia, why can’t religious folks disavow ancient religious practice in favor of some true essence that makes sense in modern terms?
Because religion cites their ancient texts as authority, their historical teachers as guides and examples to be emulated. And this is a necessary part of many religions which would not survive without it.
Trial by combat is gone, and no one cites the code duello as a legal text. Law firms don’t cite a professional duelist as a respected founding member to be emulated.
The theory of the four elements is gone. Scientists no longer cite Aristotle as an authority on physics. “Ipse dixit,” isn’t used even when Aristotle was right.
The theories of colonialism and racial superiority are on the outs. No one publicly asks on a question of government policy “What would Cecil Rhodes do?” Much less assume that that’s the right thing to do. Even if they like some writings of Thomas Jefferson, they don’t claim they are right because Jefferson wrote them.
Christians cite old testament laws to condemn homosexuality or genesis as an actual text. They cite Moses or Paul as authorities on morality. As authorities on anything. They guide themselves by asking “WWJD?” Catholics even hold up the institution of the papacy as giving moral authority, and accept that the Borgias were legitimate moral authorities.
If a person doesn’t view the bible as giving useful historical or scientific knowledge; If they don’t accept the teachings of Moses, Paul or Jesus as being specially relevant; If they don’t hold up Jesus as a paragon of virtue to be emulated; In what way are they still a Christian?
Perhaps not what most religious folks would call its ‘essence’ (part of the problem that they won’t admit this really) but certain religion-based social norms which are still relevant in today’s world.
I once read an article to the effect that, even among non-religious people, people who grew up in traditionally predominantly Catholic areas are more likely to forgive minor rule violations, people who grew up in traditionally predominantly Calvinist areas are more likely to value economic success a lot, etc.
But we can clearly identify what we mean by the “core” of law (organizing rules for society) and the “core” of academia (collective pursuit of knowledge). No one seems able to agree what the “core” of religion is (not questioning authority?).
I think that the core of religion—that is to say, Christianity—consists of all the things that human beings ought to do.
Our purpose, both in the particular and universal sense, and our ultimate destination.
In my understanding, religion carries on the practices done by ancient people for a superstitious cause, and so I wouldn’t expect them to disavow something that is passed down. Not all lawyers and academics understand the reason religious people give.
Because when you try that you get New Age cults and faith-healing. The true essence is the toxic and wrong part.
Invariably?
Well, name a religion that’s true. The problem with religion is that the emotions and experiences it evokes, qua emotions and experiences, are invariably tied to some kind of belief and ritual, and since the beliefs are invariably wrong, you always end up with a toxic practice.
Maybe the people who are disavowing ancient religious practice in favor of some true essence that makes sense in modern terms are coming up with something you wouldn’t categorise as religion.
Possibly. In which case I’d ask that they articulate what they mean.
You might want to reread the original essay, for context. Hanson’s reply makes more sense in context.
I think the analogy works only so far. In both law and academics, “true essence” has remained constant through time, even though practices and techniques have changed, they have not altered the true essence which makes sense in modern times but also made sense and is the same exact true essence from ancient times. To claim ethics to be the true essence of religion thus mandates that it remain constant, and taken literally from the texts, where then mass murder of newborns and non believers becomes a problem for someone who claims to take their ethical cue from ancient scripture.
Really? I’m not sure much has remained constant at all. My response would be that we don’t actually have a meaningful choice about keeping laws of some kind in existence, and I don’t know what “ancient scholastic obsessions” he could mean if not religious ones. E.g, most interpretations of Plato or Aristotle at least had a religious aspect. (And even so, we probably should re-examine academic traditions from time to time.)
I feel like there is something deeply wrong with your reasoning. “Law” is general concept, not something based on a single book from thousands of years ago.