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Neuroscience & Karma
but is only an assembly of like-minded people holding identical beliefs. But such an assembly is fundamental to the social nature of man and has been rightly or wrongly identified with 'religion' in all ages and all cultures. Perhaps for social-minded men the satisfactory conduct of his life require a degree of shared belief and some participation in collaborative ritual. The tendency to meet together in large or small gatherings is even more widespread than specific religions, and survives even when religion itself is discarded. People who never go to church or temple are often ready for a party to be held in the church. The very fact of assembly gives reassurance that we are part of larger whole and the individual's life is strengthened thereby.
4. Rituals are Social Obligations, not True Religion
This interpretation in the preceding paragraph emphasizes that ritual is more important than true religion. In a traditional society, there is no sharp distinction between two different activities practised together; for example sowing seeds and the prayers that accompany it. They are deemed to be of the same value, and one simply does them together. Religious rituals should be regarded as a special sort of social language, serving to symbolize society. Ritual often serves more for showing and saying than for actually producing some particular effect. The purpose of participation in a rite is to show one's respect for the social order. Also one's own upbringing and method of brain-working insist that one must do it. Even some superstitious acts and beliefs are supposed to reduce tension and anxiety. The individual does not participate because he believes in them, but because it is the correct thing to do in the circumstances. To say, 'I don't believe in Religion' is more 'bad manners' than 'bad metaphysics'. Religious experience and moral conscience take many forms and undoubtedly help many people by rites, whether in communal gathering and worship or individual meditation. Human brains are, as we have often emphasized, especially programmed to be indoctrinated. We make much use of simple rituals, for instance, of eating together, from the banquet to the family breakfast or supper. Each has its proper procedure. Communal acts, including worship, sanctify endeavours into acceptable and necessary conventions.
