setting.

[jojojojoanne]

why has the 'situational' setting of religion in society always been 'adhered' to(to some extent?) obv. again looking at ambiguities but what about the survival of religion/ in the refusal to be diminished and its maybe considered 'esteemed' place in society: by that i mean, (the removal from the everyday: the ceremonial aspect?) and if religion is 'not believed' for instance in what way is the alternative just a different way of making sense of the same fundamental basics?

[Octavius]

If you mean the fundamental basics as in man�s inherent desire to believe that there is a reason for all eventualities and the causes must be celestial, then yes this does happen of course. It always has and will, in some form or another. Each individual has a personal belief system that may or may not be in convergence with everyone else�s. My ancestors would have probably had a god of barn doors, of chickens, magpies and made offerings to the Great Goat God of Gillingham (or something) who knows. The why has been asked for centuries, I doubt we will get to the bottom of it on a Friday morning.

If this is not what you mean, then I am a nincompoop of course.

[Theland]

Man, by his very nature is a religious animal.
That's my contribution.

[jojojojoanne]

the question in a few words is: why has religion survived time? and is non religion an alternative way of making sense of essentially the same questions that religion gives answers to?

[naomi24]

Jo, I believe that religion survives time because dogma and superstition have, over the years, become so ingrained in humankind, that many are afraid to think for themselves.

Those who aren't religious, but are neverthless interested in seeking the truth, are, free of the bond of superstition, able to look at the wider picture and fully consider other options in their search for the reality behind life's mysteries.

[WaldoMcFroog]

I think Theland is close, but not a cigar winner.

Man, by his very nature, is inquisitive.

Some misinterpret what they're looking at and we call these people religious.