I think maybe if there were an international set of 'morals' like the 10 commandments for example, something that's the 'ultimate' law for people to follow, things that that usually gives people a sense of order, a sense which religion provides. Being part of some kind of 'group' (ie religion) gives people a sense of belonging and importance, it's human nature to want to have something defining them with respect to other things, an explination of how we fit into the bigger picture, what our 'true roles' in the universe is.
I think that role is to simply be yourself, live your life to the fullest, and help people live life to the fullest along your way. A smart man (Professor of middle eastern culture i think it was) told my boyfriend (who then told me) that the meaning of life is to leave the world a better place than before you came, and that could even be a small thing such has volunteering to help the elderly, the disabled, even having children and being a good parent, those are the things that give meaning to life. Living to give is the best way to live in my opinion. You can't always give sometimes you need to work on yourself to be able to work on the world.
I think we're like machines, we simulate scenarios in our minds of the future, that's why we want a meaning, I think we just recycle back into the universe, we are part of the universe - that's a wonderful meaning to me, even if 'we' don't continue to exist after death in the sense of individual mind and consciousness, but we continue to exist because we are part of everything.
Perhaps we need books, compliled scientific books that can be used as guidence for people who are trying to understand, maybe we need more philosophical books....
Yes, I agree - there needs to be something solid to replace religion and gives people that sense of meaning and comfort and as a strong defence against totalitarian, fascist or repressive beliefs that would be happy to fill the vacuum religion leaves in people's lives.
I agree with all you said about leaving the world a better place and be yourself and do good etc... but often people who hold these sorts of vague sorts of beliefs - as I do - often get pushed aside as wishy washy liberals by those with more assertive and dangerous beliefs.
The second question that I didn't articulate well is for those Christians and other religious people who don't want to see religion receding from society and argue that it does much good. Even though I believe religion is utter nonsense I recognise the good it can do - but the problem is you have to believe it.
In other words if it is receding it is because (rightly) recognise it is nonsense - what benefit can it do to insist it must remain an important part of society when people on the ground are losing faith in it?
I suppose they would say they must be made to believe in it again - but that really isn't going to happen.
Once someone sees religion for what it is, few - if any - will return to it - even for the comfort and company.
Topic: Are Christians Being Persecuted?