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Religion

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

6. I'm not so sure.

Reply to MineralMan (Original post)

Wed Jan 16, 2019, 12:36 PM

Jan 2019

The concept of civil religion typically includes aspects of civic life being treated as sacrosanct, e.g. George Washington being revered in an almost saintlike way, or our refusal to speak ill of our founding fathers when they most assuredly deserved it. So, I think it is valid to say that Americans treat their civil symbols, texts, and figures in almost religious fashion.

What our mutual friend doesn't seem to realize is this doesn't speak well of religion at all. Or that most of us, as humanists and freethinkers, would oppose it all the same.

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I think the idea of "civil religion" is a contradiction in terms. [View all] MineralMan Jan 2019 OP

It's just another attempt at equivocation. trotsky Jan 2019 #1

Yes, exactly. MineralMan Jan 2019 #2

Deism has more to do with the foundation of this country than theism Major Nikon Jan 2019 #3

Only very weak statements referring to any sort of deity MineralMan Jan 2019 #4

Out of the 7 most influential founding fathers... Major Nikon Jan 2019 #9

To the point. Firestorm49 Jan 2019 #5

I'm not so sure. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #6

While some minority of people might treat those things in those ways, MineralMan Jan 2019 #7

I think it is more pervasive, actually. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #8

That was one of the critiques of the idea immediately after it was presented Major Nikon Jan 2019 #10

Thus speaks the official definer. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #11

What are the first two words in my title, Guy? MineralMan Jan 2019 #12

Not a contradiction in terms, just something the US doesn't have muriel_volestrangler Jan 2019 #13

Religion does not have to be theistic. Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #14

While that's true, the word, religion, has theistic connotations MineralMan Jan 2019 #16

Oh absolutely and it was clear that is why Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #20

Yup. MineralMan Jan 2019 #21

You bring up a good point though I think the "religious" elements of this "civil religion" stuff... trotsky Jan 2019 #17

Yes the US version is clearly christian. Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #18

I think religion is more about the symbols and ceremonies than the beliefs marylandblue Jan 2019 #15

I understood "Civil Religion" uriel1972 Jan 2019 #19