Hello and good day,
I’m your host, Mason Mieczkowski, and this is Just Logical.
Today there is a lot of hate towards religious groups. The reality is that the United States has had a declining membership of religion. Riess (2016) states that there are four main reasons for decline.
People identify as “spiritual” more
Globalization helps people see their religion isn’t the only one, thus debunking the “true religion” concept
Non-Traditional families are on the rise due to divorce and out of wedlock children, this causes children to feel alienated by the very pro-family unit and anti-divorce religious groups
And now we have verifiable distrust in systems and institutions, such examples are the Catholic Church coverup and other types of atrocities that have occurred due to religious extremism.
All of which can be understanding. The argument is there is an intrinsic God that gives us fundamental rights that even the government cannot take from us. Yet, it is not in the actual Constitution of the United States of America (9/17/1787)
“Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independance of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names”
Declaration of Independence (7/4/1776) does give us intrinsic rights endowed unto us by God and therefore cannot be removed by anyone, including the Government:
In Congress, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
Here is the most important part that our rights established:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” And this enshrines the opportunity for us to always feel safe and be able to pursue happiness, which are endowed by our “Creator” “--That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness”
And no such restructure easily occur. “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes”
But again, the right to life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness are endowed by the Creator.
State Constitutions have references as well, in New York and California we see it in the preamble “WE THE PEOPLE of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION.” New York State Constitution (4/20/1777)
California’s State Constitution (11/6/2018, p. 167) states:
“We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution.”
Whereas Massachusetts Constitution (11/6/1990) mostly protects the right to religious practice and does require elected officials to testify their oath with the phrase “So help me God”
"I, A. B., do solemnly swear and affirm, that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as: according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably, to the rules and regulations of the constitution, and the laws of this commonwealth -- So help me, God."
Also states “As the public worship of God and instructions in piety, religion and morality, promote the happiness and prosperity of a people and the security of a republican government...” and then implies prohibits on using government to fund churches and such.
Still, it does say:
The Preamble uses same language as the Declaration of Independence “The end of the institution, maintenance, and administration of government, is to secure the existence of the body politic, to protect it, and to furnish the individuals who compose it with the power of enjoying in safety and tranquility their natural rights, and the blessings of life: and whenever these great objects are not obtained, the people have a right to alter the government, and to take measures necessary for their safety, prosperity and happiness.”
Therefore, the idea of God is enshrined into the very state constitutions of God’s blessing upon us mainly for Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In fact, Sandstrum states “In fact, God or the divine is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall, according to a Pew Research Center analysis.”
So, why is it so commonly used, well let's look at the arguments for or against religion as being good or bad for society?
Dimitris Xygalatas (2020) states that religion has negative consequences:
Many religions have some sort of prejudice that can result in persecution or discrimination of others “...women are treated as second-class citizens, homosexuals fear for their lives, and atheists face widespread prejudice.” Things like persecution of the Jewish and 9/11 are examples of extremist behaviors.
This really does exist in some parts of the world and in the past, this cannot be denied.
“Religion is the Opium of the People,” because they will be content with the hand they have been dealt instead of pursuing larger goals according to Stalin, who also is responsible for the death of more of its own people than all of the deaths of WWII. Moa being the only other to have killed more of his own people. So, I am not so sure this should be an argument against religion.
Let’s look at his pro-religion debate:
“One of religion’s most important functions is that it acts as social glue...,” architecture, music, and art are contributed by religion (Taj Mahal, Pyramids, Sistine Chapel, Bach), and
“All major religions are preoccupied with morality, and all encourage people to be more righteous. Whether it is through providing inspiration, the promise of rewards in the afterlife, or the threat of punishment, religion can be a powerful social force.”
And attributes religion for the motivation of various historical Civil Rights leaders “Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Desmond Tutu, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg were all empowered by their faith”
However, let's not just take their word about the benefits for society.
Jeffery Dorfman (2013) also shares why Religion is beneficial.
Health
Economy
Happiness
First off, he claims “there is nothing here to suggest that one’s particular beliefs are the key to the results. It is having the beliefs, practicing them, and regularly joining with other like-minded adherents that produce the benefits reported here.”
Studies have found that religious practice extends life by seven years, strengthen immune system, lower blood pressure, reduce depression, and “less alcohol and drug use.” " Religious participation by kids has been shown to result in less juvenile delinquency, less drug use including less smoking, better school attendance, and a higher probability of graduating from high school”
The latter helps the economy. As well, less crime means less prisoners which means more savings for taxes, less often on welfare and unemployed, saving “entitlement programs” and “give more money to charity than other people, which does much good in their communities.”
“According to Rodney Stark, a professor of sociology, the American economy benefits to the tune of $2.6 trillion per year thanks to being a quite religious country” identified in Stark’s book “American Blessings”
“one that cannot really be quantified is that people who are religiously involved are also happier. I cannot put a dollar figure on that one, but it is certainly worth something.”
Howard Community College has a Pressbook lesson that discusses benefits of religion.
“religion gives meaning and purpose to life” because it will “help many people make sense of the things science cannot tell us.”
Second, religion reinforces social unity and stability
“Religion teaches people moral behavior and thus helps them learn how to be good members of society.”
Religion helps psychological and physical health “Religiosity also apparently promotes better physical health, and some studies even find that religious people tend to live longer than those who are not religious (Moberg, 2008)”
Affects Social changes “Religious beliefs motivated Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists to risk their lives to desegregate the South.”
Downsides are similar:
Can result in inequalities due to being content with less income, gender discrimination, persecution of Jewish and other religious groups, and sexual abuse (Catholic Church cover-up previously mentioned).
And as far as “Under God” goes it was added by Eisenhower after a request by Docherty at Lincoln’s favorite church (Siegle, 2018). It was believed that “under God” was broad enough to include Jew and Muslims, although he discounted atheists. “An Atheistic American is a contradiction in terms” Docherty said in his sermon. “If you deny the Chrisitan ethic, you fall short of the American ideal of life.”
Therefore, again the idea that there is some value given to us by God and otherwise falls out of the societal norms.
Does this mean we have to celebrate religion? No, you do not. However, the benefits of religion in the United States has established fundamental right to life and liberty and pursuit of happiness. And we have been moving towards a better America every year. This is why I pledge my Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. That last part was added apparently to ensure that immigrants knew to which country’s flag they are professing allegiance to.
So, the fact is religion has value that even the founding fathers of our great nation and our wonderful states have enshrined to preserve basic rights given to us by our Creator, God, Supreme Being, Deity, or whichever phrase you want to use... it is right there in our society values and the positive effects don’t matter what religion as long as you practice one. So, even if you don’t support a religion, you are benefitting from it’s practice.
All references are available in my blog which is linked in the descriptions.
Again, I am your host Mason Mieczkowski, and I hope that is Just Logical for you, see you next time.
References:
California’s State Constitution (11/6/2018) The Constitutions of California and the United States 2019-20 edition. Senate.Ca.gov retrieved on 5/9/2022 from The Constitutions of California and the United States with Related Documents.
Constitution of the United States of America (9/17/1787) Archives.gov on 5/9/2022 from: The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription | National Archives
Declaration of Independence (7/4/1776). Archives.gov on 5/9/2022 from: Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives
Dorfman, J. (12/22/2013). Religion is good for all of us, even those who don’t follow one. Forbes. Retrieved on 5/9/2022 from Religion Is Good For All Of Us, Even Those Who Don't Follow One (forbes.com)
Howard Community College. Sociological Perspectives on Religion. Pressbooks. Retrieved on 5/9/2022 from Sociological Perspectives on Religion – Introduction to Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World (howardcc.edu)
Massachusetts Constitution (11/6/1990). Malegislature.gov retrieved on 5/9/2022 from: Massachusetts Constitution (malegislature.gov)
Moberg, D. O. (2008). Spirituality and aging: Research and implications. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 20, 95–134.
New York State Constitution (4/20/1777). Nysenate.gov on 5/9/2022 from: ny_state_constitution_2021.pdf (nysenate.gov)
Reiss, S. (2016). Four Reasons for Decline of Religion. Huffington Post. Retrieved on 5/9/2022 from: Four Reasons for Decline of Religion | HuffPost Communities
Sandstrum, A. (8/17/2017). God or the divine is referenced in every state constitution. PewResearch.org. Retrieved on 5/9/2022 from God or the divine is referenced in every state constitution | Pew Research Center
Siegel, R. (7/14/2018). The gripping sermon that got “under God” added to the Pledge of Allegiance of Flag Day. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 5/9/2022 fromFlag Day: Why 'under God' was added to the Pledge of Allegiance - The Washington Post
Xygalatas, D. (2020). Is religion good or bad for society? The Perspective. Retrieved on 5/9/2022 from Is religion Good or Bad for Society? - The Perspective
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