Umanitarian Religion

What is the essence of religion? What is its function? I think it boils down to a conversation among people who have all agreed to accept a specific set of premises and facts as established and indisputable. The problem is the indisputable part. The way that facts become and remain established is through constant challenge and re-examination in light of new input.

It can be productive to engage in idea exchange among a group of people who have agreed to agree on certain key points. This means you don't have to spend time and energy making those points. The audience already has accepted them. This is pretty much the model of the internet forum. When you go to a "vegetarian forum" you know the vast majority of readers are already convinced that vegetarianism is a good thing. You don't have to make that point. This is a major time-saver.

The problem with religion is that it's a one-way conversation with no re-examination of the commonly held premises based on new input and analysis. The only positive that religion can add to the forum model is the branding and marketing aspect. I think "Church of Umanity" has more marketing appeal than "Athiest Forum". And Umanity is more a religion in that the Three Commandments are considered indisputable for the purposes of the conversation henceforth known as The Church of Umanity. This church makes no offer of salvation, just a chance at productive, interesting, intelligent conversation. Members may also be members of any number of other religions, but not while engaged in this conversation. You make no pledge of allegiance outside of the agreement to accept the Three Commandments for the duration of your participation in the conversation.