Recreationism

* Among the February 2007 postings to this blog, is one titled "Human condition". In it, I contemplated a humanistic religion, a body of wisdom and practices that would provide as much meaning and satisfaction for adherents as are justified by evidence and reason and that would tilt society towards diminishing harm. I had a vague idea about the body of wisdom and no idea about practices that would attract people to embrace such a religion.
* One could assemble a bible consisting of wisdom scriptures from all established religions, a section from each such religion, avoiding all text encouraging tribalism and all supernatural claims. Their ethics derive from centuries of experience.
* Sunday-morning assembly programs might be discussions of personal ethics and ethical implications of public policy and cultural conventions. They might include stories exemplifying ethical and practical consequences of individual and governmental choices.
* Sunday-school lessons might consist of presentations and discussions of social and economic dynamics as well as recreational explorations of scientific discoveries advancing the understanding of nature (physics, biology, astronomy, sociology, even chemistry). There are plenty of web pages to support such explorations. I have more than 200 germane links. Outside experts and students might welcome opportunities to discuss their interests with curious people.
* Stimulating recreation would be promoted. That would include sports, arts, crafts, literature, instrumental music, writing, theater, dance, songs of dignified genres and invented play. Opportunities for inter-generational sharing and fellowship might unfold.
* Most of the above should be stimulating and enlightening, but may not activate the amygdala enough for internalization of ethical principals. Anyone of any age needs to learn and reinforce noble sentiments through emotional responses to justice, generosity, unexpected nobility, etc. This might be accomplished through the music program. I have collected 130 songs that activate the amygdala, these in a songbook titled "Country Pathos, Country Soul".
* I'm too senile to begin the above implied project, but I'd love to participate in such gatherings. I wouldn't abandon the Christian churches to which I'm indebted for my most thrilling experiences. Perhaps the Humanistic Church could meet on first Sundays rather than weekly.
* It seems likely that numerous academic and professional types would benefit from church participation for the social interaction with serious people of good will and for help in raising children, people who would not join a conventional church requiring frequent rejection of evidence.
* The broad purpose of this additional church is to make progress towards a great civilization, one lacking gratuitous harm, one where people's rights are respected across ethnic and religious boundaries, across time and across town. Existing religions are failing in this long-term human project.