The Janus-faced Nature of Religions
摘要
This chapter deals with the meaning (i.e., the positive aspects that religions can have for each individual and society), but also with the issues, i.e., the dangers and nonsense that religions and exaggerated religious views and lifestyles can bring. Because religions always walk a tightrope between giving hope and the risk of producing illusions. It is certainly positive to give people the hope that life has a meaning (or at least one can give it a meaning). Everyone can also (if they see their life as meaningful and develop appropriate resilienceResilience) endure difficult and seemingly hopeless situations and grow from them. However, it becomes problematic and illusory when a religious worldview tempts one to solve worldly problems with religious practices.