Philosophy and Fries: The Word "Religion"

The Society for Ethical Culture calls itself a "humanist religious community." Some in the freethought/secular humanist/atheist/skeptic movement argue we ought to keep the word "religion" around for practical use; that is, society will more easily accept secular humanism, fronted as a religious belief system, than atheism, which is a lack of religious beliefs and harder for the religious to comprehend. Others argue that humanism and its traditions and ceremonies (the NYSEC/BSEC have Sunday platforms and so on) dedicated to certain ideals by definition make it a religion.

But does not the word "religion" denote a belief system including supernatural claims? How far can we stretch the definition of "religion"? Is "religion" merely a word to describe our beliefs about the nature of the cosmos? Can we have religion without God or dogma? Can secular humanism plus traditions and ceremonies equal religion? Is their argument reasonable? Is it practical?

CFI-Brooklyn's Philosophy and Fries is held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The Park Plaza Restaurant is a Brooklyn Heights-located diner with lots of space, fairly priced food, and beer, wine and cocktails.

Directions:

A or C to High Street
2 or 3 to Clark Street
4, 5, M or R to Court Street, Borough Hall