Religion & its Confusions

Some readers will possibly regard material here dealing with salvation, divinity, virtue, healing, goodness &c. as properly belonging to religion. However, there is no competition, because religion and THEE have different aims and methods when considering such things. (Some philosophies also make recommendations in regard to values and a good life, but they generate less confusion.)

Some common confusions in relation to Religion are identified below.

Religion is not the same as Society

Religion is a universal feature of societies and dominates some societies, however it is not society. Organized religion-PH"4L7 is located in THEE as the highest and most complex of society's natural moral institutions. It sits above the governance system-PH"4L6.

Religion is not the same as Spirituality

The former is an organized social phenomenon and the latter is personal and experiential. Religious groups vary greatly as to the emphasis placed on spirituality. THEE treats spirituality as entirely separate. It is referred to here, but accounts of its various aspects are found elsewhere in the Taxonomy.

Religion is not equivalent to God or Belief in God

Buddhism is an atheistic religion; religious groups vary greatly in the emphasis placed on belief in God. THEE provides for divine realms in this Satellite.

Religion is not the same as Theology

Theology is a systematic and rational study of the truths claimed by a particular religion, whose primacy is assumed. Comparative religion studies religions and theologies without assigning primacy to any. THEE has a place for theologies, but does not engage with any specific theology.

Religion is not the same as Morality

Religions do contain ethical teachings, and emphasize virtue. They contain all varieties of ethical rules from the most abstract absolutes to the most concrete prescriptions. Religions tend to preserve customs and traditions, even if archaic or barbaric.
See THEE Locations

THEE is a taxonomy and it naturally has a place for ethics and morality, a big place. This large subject has been independently explored and written up in Working with Values (Ch.6, 7, 8, & 9).

Some aspects have been posted within the Politics Satellite:

Making an Ethical Choice (PH'6)
Society's Natural Moral Institutions (PH"4)

Popular morality-PH"4L2 is the natural moral institution dealing with matters like sex, drugs, food, alcohol, work, aggression, money. It is constructed around conformity and is the commonest focus for most writers and academics. However, there are six other institutions of great importance.

The many forms and features of ethical authorities-sPH"6, a Structural Hierarchy are explained in Ch. 9 of Working with Values. Virtues lie within ethical rules-PH"6 (see Ch. 8).

Religion is not the same as a Philosophy of Life

Religions often provide guidance that can encompass a coherent approach to life, and the religion may make life meaningful for many. THEE regards provision of a philosophy of life as a responsibility to be met within any society. It may be provided by religion, or by philosophers (classical, not academic!) THEE itself provides a philosophy of life, many of whose specifications are found within this Satellite.

Originally posted: 28-April-2012