We have just been through a week in which we have seen yet further examples of the deeply problematic nature of religion - especially in its monotheistic varieties.
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My question - developing in various ways since 9/11 - is how might we continue to access these sacramental energies without resorting to the language of the gods/God with which they were once so indissolubly linked? In short, what religion might look like after religion - after God? This is a wonderful post and very gently articulates what I have been struggling to say in several different ways: that religion is "not "all about fundamentalist nutters threatening to blow things up and burn things because the world isn't how they think it should be.
Many of my Pagan friends seek to blame fundamentalism on monotheism, claiming that polytheism is inherently more tolerant. This is understandable, but it does the liberal monotheists a disservice. I think polytheism can be intolerant too - look at what happened to Socrates.
I think the problem is twofold: assuming that metaphors for the ineffable mystery are literal, concrete and graspable; and assuming that religion is an external process, something you do, a set of laws you adhere to, rather than an internal process and an internal apprehension of harmony.
Reference: my-spiritual-path.blogspot.com
