Working Paper on Post-Religion - A Charter of Religious and Human Values

Abstract

Religion has played both a constructive and a destructive role in this world. Nearly 7% of wars can be attributed to religion. Religion has played an intimate hand-in-glove role with political power. Reformative religions like Sikhism, have also brought about progressive social change. It is increasingly clear that we have to move beyond religion in a pluralistic modern world. We need a charter of common religious and human values that guides our modern lives, both as individuals and as an integral part of society. We need to take power away from Sants and Mullahs by getting to the core of what religion should do i.e., to improve us as human beings and make us productive members of society. We must move away from esoteric religious teachings (e.g., rituals and post-life beliefs) and focus instead on common values so that we have the genuine social transformation needed for a modern cohesive society. We are building a Code of Conduct here.

Keywords: post religion, religious values, human values, moral foundations, human rights, education, schools

JEL Classification: Z12, Z18, I26