Religious practices and institutions respond to the universal quest for a higher meaning and purpose in life, by offering human rituals, narratives, and communities offering a bridge between the mundane and the sacred. When traditional religion declines, people will create or seek out a variety of different substitutes to ease their longing for meaning.
Nicely written. This is easily observable in secular societies like Sweden where I live. People are floundering in an attempt to find meaning in something, anything. I don’t think you necessarily have to have a particular faith and I’m not religious myself but at this point I’m a bit jealous of people who are because it appears to give them purpose and strength. And a group with strong sense of belonging that’s more palpable.
Those of us who simply believe in and abide by what could be called “Christian values” have a harder time keeping a grip on them. But we’re holding on for dear life!
I have been saying something very similar to this for the last two years, but you have certainly outlined it far more completely and eloquently. So, thank you! The people who really need to hear this sadly and probably cannot hear it or won’t. The same people whose new found, but short lived meaning in life came from Covid and the vaccines are likely in very desperate condition. But all is not lost, Pandemic 2.0 is around the corner but this is going to have some harsh lessons for us ALL I am afraid.
Nicely written. This is easily observable in secular societies like Sweden where I live. People are floundering in an attempt to find meaning in something, anything. I don’t think you necessarily have to have a particular faith and I’m not religious myself but at this point I’m a bit jealous of people who are because it appears to give them purpose and strength. And a group with strong sense of belonging that’s more palpable.
Those of us who simply believe in and abide by what could be called “Christian values” have a harder time keeping a grip on them. But we’re holding on for dear life!
I have been saying something very similar to this for the last two years, but you have certainly outlined it far more completely and eloquently. So, thank you! The people who really need to hear this sadly and probably cannot hear it or won’t. The same people whose new found, but short lived meaning in life came from Covid and the vaccines are likely in very desperate condition. But all is not lost, Pandemic 2.0 is around the corner but this is going to have some harsh lessons for us ALL I am afraid.
Agree