DO HUMAN BEINGS NEED A RELIGION?

It is a universally acknowledged truth that one's perspective on religion is deeply influenced by their understanding of what religion represents. Depending on whether religion is seen as an explanation for the natural world, a metaphysical exploration, a set of moral guidelines, or something else entirely, our evaluation of it varies. Some view religion through the lens of science and find it falls short, while others approach it philosophically and find it either profound or meaningless. These differing perspectives contribute to the diverse range of opinions on religion.

 

Stephen Asma, a Philosophy professor at Columbia College in Chicago, was once firmly entrenched in the camp critical of religion. His early writings were characterized by skepticism and secularism, often published in skeptical and secularist publications. However, encounters, extensive reading, and deep reflection gradually led him to reconsider his stance. Asma identifies as an agnostic and citizen of a prosperous nation, but he openly acknowledges that during a moment of crisis when his son was in the emergency room, he spontaneously prayed. He doesn't claim that prayer miraculously healed his son, but he recognizes its role in providing genuine relief from anxiety and anguish.

 

Asma's journey isn't a conversion to religion but rather a recognition of its natural, beneficial, and indispensable aspects. He still views religion as irrational, but he now emphasizes its capacity to address and manage our emotional lives effectively. In his book "Why We Need Religion," Asma argues that religious beliefs, practices, and rituals serve as a profound emotional support system, uniquely helping individuals navigate the complexities of their emotional well-being.

 

The Role of Religion in Coping with Emotions 

Take grief, for example, a profound human emotion. Grief involves both cognitive and neurochemical dimensions. We reflect on past moments, lost futures, shattered hopes, and fading memories. Simultaneously, grief is a form of separation distress ingrained in mammalian brains, seeking comfort through touch and connection. Religious beliefs and practices offer a structure that mitigates the severity of this separation, providing emotional solace and surrogate support in times of loss.

 

Asma delves into various emotions, including forgiveness, resilience, sacrifice, joy, and fear, illustrating how religion incorporates cultural structures that celebrate and validate adaptive psychological states. He cites empirical studies showing that religious individuals are more inclined to seek forgiveness and that education's impact on reducing violence is somewhat limited. While he doesn't endorse religion as a solution, he recognizes its role in helping individuals manage and cope with profound emotions.

 

Empathy and Understanding

 

What sets Asma's perspective apart is his empathy and understanding, particularly for those who turn to religion in times of emotional turmoil. He acknowledges that dismissing religiously fueled rage as inherently evil or primitive oversimplifies complex human experiences. He suggests that those in prosperous, peaceful societies may struggle to comprehend the desperation that can drive individuals to religious extremism.

 

Asma's exploration of the emotional and psychological dimensions of religion doesn't imply an endorsement of religious truth claims. However, it raises questions about the potential evolutionary role of religion in human survival and cohesion. Just as cognitive functions capable of discerning truth can enhance an organism's chances of survival, the human need for religion, which often encompasses social cohesion, may have played a similar role in our evolution.

 

In conclusion, Stephen Asma's journey from skepticism to recognizing the emotional significance of religion offers a thought-provoking perspective. While he doesn't abandon his secular stance, he highlights the profound role religion plays in helping individuals manage their emotional lives, sparking a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between humans and religion.