Fixing Faith
Religious faith is probably the most prized and precious emotional/intellectual possession ever known. It has been broadly accepted as a virtue and is enthusiastically promoted, by the local culture, to children without reservation of any kind. The indoctrination techniques have enjoyed centuries of refinement, and have achieved a level of remarkable effectiveness.
Paradoxically, religious faith is also probably the greatest curse ever inflicted on mankind and is responsible for unnecessary misery, suffering, and death on a scale that is impossible to imagine or document.
There appears to be little discussion of faith considered as an addiction, but it may be useful to pursue this line of enquiry with the intention of identifying the components of religious faith that are harmful. In this way perhaps some corrective action can be proposed.
Addiction is compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. Note that adverse consequences are not acknowledged by the faithful. This distinguishes religious faith from substance abuse (narcotics, alcohol and tobacco) and other psychological disorders (gambling, eating, shopping, etc.) in that the behavior persists in spite of the knowledge of its detrimental effects.
The pleasures induced by faith include intense feelings of euphoria, transcendence, hope, joy, absolution, security, immortality, purity, purpose, and belonging. With such a treasure trove of delights it is not at all difficult to understand why someone in possession of them might choose death in favor of relinquishing them.
Nobody in their right mind would consider depriving people of these gifts. What possible harm could there be in any one of them?
But there are two more that belong on this list and need more examination. These are certitude and superiority. Absence of doubt or absolute certainty, and knowing you are better than people of a different or no faith. Here is the core of the curse alluded to above. Here is the harm that completes the definition of religious faith as an addiction.
The inquisitors, with their instruments of torture, were certain that they were saving souls. Hitler was certain that the proper destiny of mankind was racial purity. Omar Mateen (Pulse nightclub assassin) was certain he was carrying out the will of God. The 9/11 highjackers were certain they would be fast-tracked to a martyr’s paradise. ISIS members decapitated followers of Jesus without guilt or remorse secure in the conviction the action was sanctified.
Examples of this kind could be extended indefinitely and in every instance, these acts COULD NOT HAVE TAKEN PLACE if the perpetrators had the good sense to realize that, no matter how unlikely, they could be mistaken.
This is why you will never hear about an evolutionary biologist cutting off somebody’s head because they reject evolution. The scientist understands, believes, and accepts that nothing is absolutely certain. They will assess relative probabilities, and will act accordingly.
Eliminating religion is not an option. As Sigmund Freud has pointed out, religion will be with us as long as people fear death. This is likely to be a very long time.
So what corrective action can be taken to reduce or eliminate the toxic elements of faith? It is urgent to do so given that weaponry of the 21st century, for the first time in history, now allows an incredibly small group of people to destroy the civilization of billions.
Can these toxic elements be neutralized without destroying the many benefits the faithful now enjoy? What processes would be needed to implement the task? The minimum goals should produce devout followers that are unlikely to feel superior to others because of their faith and, when pressed to the limit, can admit that it is possible that they could be wrong.
These questions need to be addressed by experts in psychology, sociology, anthropology, and religious leaders who accept that the problem exists. It may be that the problem cannot be solved, but that should not deter us from making a concerted effort to do so. We are a temporary species and will become extinct soon enough. There is no compelling need to accelerate that process.