Allow me to restate my argument that religion is important, along with a confession that in too many ways, at too many times, its proponents have betrayed its radical promise and its progressive direction, whatever their professed faith.
At its best, religion gives us individually and collectively a place to examine our hopes, dreams, and possibilities of a healthier, more justful, and more harmonious world. In short, moral and ethical guidelines. It can also provide the necessary foundation of community for pursuing and nurturing that goal.
Some of the sharpest critics of its practice at worst are prophets found in the Bible.
To see some examples of how that worked within the Quaker movement, visit my blog, As Light Is Sown.
Jnana's Red Barn 