The faith imperative

What shapes our convictions? We live in a pluralistic world, marked by diversity, where traditional ideas spawn dissonant tones; where globalisation has disenfranchised ideologies; where the Internet has compressed distance and time; and where access to information is virtually instant. In this episode, we focus on some of the latest research on the psychology of faith, about which Lawrence Krauss claims that “we are wired to believe and need to fight against it”, while Christopher Hitchens exasperatedly affirms that “religion is ineradicable!”.

Why do ‘the right thing’? Why does doing ‘the right thing’ matter? Why should it matter? Jonathan Sacks argues that morality is essential “to our dignity, our happiness, the meaningfulness of our lives and the structures of grace that constitute our society”. But where does morality come from? And, does it always pay to do right? Does one have to be religious to act in a moral way? Does one have to believe in God to do good?

Why do ‘the right thing’? Why does doing ‘the right thing’ matter? Why should it matter? Jonathan Sacks argues that morality is essential “to our dignity, our happiness, the meaningfulness of our lives and the structures of grace that constitute our society”. But where does morality come from? And, does it always pay to do right? Does one have to be religious to act in a moral way? Does one have to believe in God to do good?

Christopher Hitchens writes that religion poisons everything; that religion kills! Sam Harris argues that religion justifies and even rewards terrorism. Is it fair to speak of religion in such general terms? Does all religion hurt? Would we be better off without religious faith and practice? Is violence innate to religion? And why, or rather, when does religion cause hurt?