Dangers of Bad Religion

I was at Borders recently and the new books by Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins caught my eye. I've not read either book but I've read excerpts here and there and know something of their perspective. This morning I read Diana Butler Bass's perspective on the books and their premise that all religion, not just extremist religion is bad.

Though 90% of Americans (or there abouts) say they believe in God the very popularity of these books, as Diana points out, should be a warning to moderate and liberal Christians. Progressives offer themselves, and always have, as a middle way between fundamentalism and extremist religion on the right and non-religion at the other end [on this read Garry Dorrien's wonderful series -- which is about to become a trilogy -- The Making of American Liberal Theology (Westminster/John Knox)]. But if Harris and Dawkins are to be believed even this middle road is dangerous.

As a believer, indeed, as a pastor I must take this seriously. In the community in which my church is set, the statistics say that 46% are non-involved -- religion isn't even on their radar screen. They may believe, but they're disengaged.

There is danger in bad religion, but I still believe that there is great possibility for goodness in religion. That so many people are interested in this and the Da Vinci Code suggests that not everyone agrees. It might be just a faze, but it's obvious we've not done our job of being God's people in the world.

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