Religion is about power, specifically power over others and power over death. This is the common strain throughout all religions. Additionally, most religion is primarily used to justify ones own thoughts, opinions & existence. To used as a bludgeon to "beat" others. A divine thumbs up thus addition additional weight to one's opinions & actions. It demands almost nothing to its followers, but nearly everything for its targets and outgroups. Its a shell game with the ego, nothing more.
It is rarely introspective and applied inward. Don't believe me? Look how common contemplative Christianity is here in the US. It is almost non-existent. There are virtually zero evangelical expressions for it, and very few orthodox & catholic expressions for it outside of the nearly dead monastic orders.
It is why I think religion overall is a net negative in our society. It helps people avoid dealing with their issues is used to justify their own shortcomings but to crucify others for those same things. Instead of encouraging responsibility, It shirks responsibility. Original sin? You were born with it. Harm someone? Don't worry, Jesus forgives and he already died as a human sacrifice, a scapegoat for you. Insofar one can even identify a christian ethic, it is found wanting IMO.
I respect what Rob Schenck is doing but he is almost completely alone in his action. And my prediction is that he will unfortunately remain so.
