Replacing the Positive Aspects of Religion in an Age of Secularization
The question often arises: as religion's sway wanes in the world, what will fill the void left by its positive contributions?
Structure and Rituals
This assumption presupposes that structure, rituals, and a sense of community are solely derived from religion. However, historical, archaeological, and biological records present a different narrative. Anthropologists have spent much of the 20th century devising theories of social structure, none of which exclusively hinge upon religion.
A prime example can be found in the United States Constitution. This document established a lasting social structure while simultaneously prohibiting religion from becoming a part of the system. Although there are various religious, cultural, and social structures within the U.S., the most powerful structure is secular.
Collapsing the Myths
Rituals can indeed be religious, but they do not have to be. My professional work involves uncovering non-religious rituals that occur within our commercial culture. In many places, graduation ceremonies have religious elements, but in others, they do not. These rituals remain effective regardless of their religious content.
It is worth noting that ritual behavior began with our non-human animal ancestors and continued with early human ancestors, such as Homo naledi, who possessed brains the size of oranges. The roots of these practices go far back.
Community Formation
Communities form around various commonalities: schools, neighborhoods, sports teams, workplaces, television shows, coffee shops, and social media networks like Quora. The presence of religious communities does not negate the fact that we do not need religion to provide a sense of community. In fact, many are formed independently of religious institutions.
Rituals Without Religion
Religion is just one source of the cultural mechanisms mentioned. In our complex society, we have many alternatives. Our commercial culture is characterized by the diversity of modes available to its members. People who choose not to be religious remain just as culturally involved as everyone else. They simply engage with culture through different channels.
Modern Rituals
Examples abound of modern rituals that transcend their religious origins. Consider contemporary Christmas celebrations, which are full of traditions derived from pre-Christian winter solstice rituals. The tree ritual, for instance, has endured centuries of evolution, from solstice celebrations to what we now call Christmas. Many families celebrate with trees, decorations, gifts, traditional meals, and drinks, often without much mention of Jesus.
Rituals Adapt to Societal Changes
As societal priorities shift, so do rituals. Things like school graduations, once too localized for public celebration in the pre-industrial world, are now honored as festive occasions. Conversely, obscure saints’ days from medieval times are now largely obsolete.
Ultimately, the impetus behind these rituals does not change; the vocabulary and specifics may shift. Instead of feasting in honor of a harvest god, we have Thanksgiving. Rather than celebrating Spring with resurrection analogies, we might instead commemorate it with music festivals, family meals of lamb, or Maypole dances. The fundamental human need for rituals remains, but the practices evolve alongside changing societal priorities.
In conclusion, the positive aspects of religion such as structure, rituals, and a sense of community do not require religious foundations. Our modern world offers a richness of alternative structures and cultural expressions that continue to fulfill these needs in meaningful ways.