What is religion?

According to several studies on the news services, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of large congregations of nonbelievers. One such congregation in California was highlighted last week. Several hundred people met in a "church-like" setting to sing, read inspirational writings, give personal testimony and witnessing, and embrace a sense of community. Sound like a church? But the participants and the leaders are clear and emphatic in pointing out that they are atheists; they celebrate love and relationship but not a higher power or supernatural being. They want others to see that their atheism does not mean they are bad people. 

I have many friends of all beliefs and religions, including atheism. I have never thought that atheists were bad people, although I am sure that there are those who do. There are folk who believe all kinds of stuff, and in our society, they are free to believe whatever they want. No problem,

However, the question posed in the title of this blog Is what is religion? It's tricky. Paul Tillich, the eminent existential Christian theologian and one of the most significant theorists of the last century, wrote that religion was the belief in and commitment to "whatever is of ultimate concern." When I was in college and America was in a frenzy of anti-communism, we debated Tillich's assertion and whether or not communism was a religion. I didn't know the answer to that question then and I don't know now. However, I am willing to accept that some of the virtues and comforts religion  provides - a sense of community, moral direction, and good feelings - meet universal human needs. And the new congregations springing up reflect that just as clearly as do the Crystal Cathedral or the little brown church in the dell.