Secularization the best thing for religion

[SecularMotion]

VANCOUVER — Secularization is the best thing that’s ever happened to religion.

That might seem like a shocking statement for both religious and secular people. But its implications become clear when we unpack new understandings of secularization.

Canada is often called one of the world’s more “secular” countries. Observers like me use the term because Canada, especially B.C., has among the highest proportion of residents who say they have “no religion,” i.e., don’t attend a church, synagogue, mosque or temple.

But it’s time to get beyond a narrow understanding of secularization. We need not restrict it to the separation of “church and state” and to describing how an increasing number of people are rejecting formal religion.

http://www.canada.com/health/Secularization+best+thing+religion/5213421/story.html

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. If religions all died, the world would be a far better place. nt

[rrneck]

2. The greatest threat to religion

is sports.

[xfundy]

3. I remember a time, long ago...

Actually, it wasn't that long ago. The 'unspoken rule' was not to speak of politics and religion among friends, business acquaintances, etc. Today they've been melded into the same thing, and are impossible to escape.

Today, in many standard arguments, 'Christian" is supposed to mean conservative, Republican, "good," right-wing, nice--and anything else is therefore BAD, DEMONIC, EeeVIL, anti-'Murkkkin, traitorious, poo-poo headed, etc.

Are Americans that stupid? Unfortunately, too many are. And Fox Noise, among other 'news' outlets, keeps trying to create more and more stupid people.

[get the red out]

4. Absolutely!!!!

I agree completely. Everything has become one thing. When I was growing up a person's politics only mattered during an election year and neighbors didn't have total distrust of each other over it.

I just got a new car so I doubt I will be putting on any campaign stickers here in Kentucky. I can't affort to risk it being destroyed by some loyal Tea Partier. People don't just have political opinions, they ARE their political/religious/business opinions and everyone else is the enemy.