https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_Myth#:~:text=The%20Power%20of%20Myth%20is,1987)%20and%20journalist%20Bill%20Moyers.

We have lost control of our political system and confidence in our institutions. I offer some root cause reasons for this situation in a series of posts. Fifth post in the series.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/647303/confidence-institutions-mostly-flat-police.aspx

The modern world has largely solved the problems of science and economics. Our political and religious solutions compete to solve 4 big remaining human challenges.

1. Facing death.
2. Finding a purpose beyond self.
3. Being affirmed.
4. Living as a social being in community.

Secular Humanism / Personal Growth

1. Be stoic, heroic, transcend through your worldly life. C-
2. Link to humanity, universe, reach for excellence, find personal purpose. C
3. Focus on this first, find support, promote yourself, find supporters. C-
4. Link up with peers, communities of interest, demographic groups, limited liability. C

Populism / Common Man / Common Sense

1. Ignore, stay busy, be stoic, accept, find a church, avoid it. C
2. Focus on day to day, local experience, controllable, be good, craftsmanship. C+
3. All are equal, victim, local commonality, work support, politics, reinforcing groups. B+
4. Neighborhood, work, sports groups. Church and political groups. B

Authoritarianism / Nationalism / Traditionalism

1. Ignore, stay busy, link to greater cause(s), embrace religion. B
2. Link identity to nation, politics, church, culture, class, history. A-
3. Reinforcing groups, against “others”, merge identity with group. B+
4. Deepen ties to family, neighborhood, church, class, region, sports. B

Libertarianism / Free Market

1. Stoicism, heroism, results, engaged, avoid. C
2. Elevate self, hero, superman, freedom, liberty, choice principles. B
3. Win, results, goods, status, competition, comparisons. B+
4. Selected communities, political, career, neighbors. C-

Postmodernism

1. Be stoic, heroic, overcome, transcend, engage. D
2. Understand the world, oppose power, researching, criticizing, deconstructing. B
3. Self-sufficient, knowledgeable, existential, aware, peer groups. D
4. Artist, political, university, media, local communities. C

Religion

1. Heaven, promises, theology, revelation, apologetics. B+
2. Glorify God, love neighbor, golden rule, laws, spirit. A
3. Created in God’s image, child of God, baptism, congregational support. B+
4. Local congregation ties, ministries, activities, catholic church, ecumenicism. B

Summary

No major “solution” fully solves all of these 4 main challenges. The “science versus religion” split is deep. Some individuals combine multiple views to create a better solution. In “A Secular Age” individuals have to make choices about what to believe. They have to sort through conflicting views and information. They have to define and prioritize their goals. Without a dominant or obvious social choice, they have to determine how they will make such philosophical, political and religious choices, even if it is to not make a choice. We have an opportunity to reform our public schools and other institutions to help us make these choices and to embrace our neighbors who make different choices.

Modern Curriculum for Citizens

How (NOT) to be Secular: Reading Charles Taylor

Morality (2020) Jonathan Sacks

Community Really Matters: Index