Such thinking invariably has two consequences: hierarchy within the sect, and a fundamental belief, unstated of course, that those who have not embraced one’s religion are (insert consequence here - unenlightened, damned, etc.). Sophisticated religious thinkers argue that it doesn’t have to be this way, but the vast majority of adherents are not looking for a debating club or contingent and existential truths; they are seeking comfort, certainty, and answers. They want things settled; when they say their faith comforts them, they’re not talking about their latest encounter with Bonhoefer. Organized religion will always be an incendiary and divisive force - which is not to deny its good works or the intellectual value of some theology - because of its absolutist core. It is hardly a mystery that texts written by MEN thousands of years ago don’t read like Simone de Beauvoir or Germaine Greer.

Many will counter that the solution is to modernize these vessels for good by stripping them of their baseless superstitions and replacing them with egalitarianism within and genuine tolerance toward their competitors. That would require downgrading the status of (name your sacred text) and tossing adherents into a sea of existential angst. I’m all for these religions morphing into some form of gentle pantheism, but there is a cold logic behind the conservative resistance to change. The guardians of tradition know that opening up absolutes to debate and change erodes power and risks alienating the true believers.

Dennis replies: Thanks Stephen for your erudite comments regarding world religions, and yet . . . I am reminded of comments made in a magazine article regarding the pundit and writer Christopher Hitchens, author of God is not Great. Hitchens had also been harshly critical of the late Mother Theresa. The magazine writer allowed that there might well be some validity to what Hitchens had to say, but added that if someone were poor, homless, ill or dying that person would be far more likely to receive a compassionate response from Mother Theresa than from Hitchens. Despite the obvious shortcomings of world religions, there is a lot of love and solidarity offered by people whose motivation springs from religious faith.