tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post3085392081051118414..comments2023-09-19T10:03:27.883-06:00Comments on New City of Friends: Shedding religious identityDayamatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125167790936883271noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1517892305917115037.post-52801023067384043892009-03-11T00:41:00.000-06:002009-03-11T00:41:00.000-06:00Many fundamentalist Christians dis-identify with m...Many fundamentalist Christians dis-identify with mainstream Christianity (which is the work of the Devil) but would not see themselves as having no religion as they have the only true religion. Or so my Aunt tells me.<BR/><BR/>I seem to recall a similar trend occurring in New Zealand stats. No religion being the fastest growing category.<BR/><BR/>I see the lack of religion as a sign of the growing alienation and isolation of people who can no longer find positive social groups to belong to, and are floundering - massively increasing rates of mental illness being one give away.<BR/><BR/>Yes religion can put limits on free thinking and individuality, but it need not always be a bad thing. I recall that the APA published an issue on happiness in 1999 or 2000 - which may be down to the influence of Martin Seligman. Several articles concluded that the Amish are the happiest people in the US. They certainly have the lowest rates of mental illness. One article concluded that lack of boundaries and too much choice makes us miserable.<BR/><BR/>We are social animals. Without a group most of us don't do very well. We go a bit mad. I think Durkheim identified social isolation as a key factor in suicide - rates of which are also rising.<BR/><BR/>I suppose we can all still laugh at Groucho saying he wouldn't be a member of a club that would have him as a member, but most people need some kind of group. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps it's because I don't see the American (i.e. US) culture as being health or vital generally. I see it as sick, failing, and senile.<BR/><BR/>Regards<BR/>JayaravaJayaravahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815277098386812048noreply@blogger.com