Religious beliefs evolved by group-selection, tribe competing against tribe, and the illogic of religions is not a weakness but their essential strength.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Religious belief itself is an adaptation that has evolved because we're hard-wired to form tribalistic religions.
Religion is often just tribalism: pride in a group one was born into, a group that is often believed to have 'God' on its side.
Religions have a strong binding function and a cohesive element. They emphasize the primacy of the community as opposed to the individual, and they also help set one community apart from another that doesn't share their beliefs.
Religion creates community, community creates altruism and altruism turns us away from self and towards the common good... There is something about the tenor of relationships within a religious community that makes it the best tutorial in citizenship and good neighborliness.
While few religious leaders and scholars would doubt the commonalities that exist among the various religious groups, the followers of these religions unfortunately struggle in their effort to peacefully coexist.
All outward forms of religion are almost useless, and are the causes of endless strife. Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest.
Strength was the virtue of paganism; obedience is the virtue of Christianity.
Let me say it diplomatically: Most religions are tribal to some degree.
When people unfortunately use religion to facilitate their envy, arrogance and hate, communalism surfaces.
Strong religious identities survive and thrive. But more than ever before, even in their most conservative iterations, they are chosen.
No opposing quotes found.