Reflections on Views of Greg Epstein on Tech as Religion
Why Explore the views of Greg Epstein?
MCN exists to promote engagement with the larger culture on relevance of Christian Faith in both personal life and society. This involves
- Careful reflection and analysis of trends/issues of concern (See our purposes).
Podcast for analysis…
Podcast — Tech Agnostic: Greg Epstein on CBC The Current
Some starting points…
Here are some initial thoughts that might spark further learning and communication:
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- Epstein claims to respect the role of religion within society in terms of the cohesiveness it engenders.
- In naming himself as an agnostic regarding Christianity, how should we understand his views on Secular Humanism?
- If one can be agnostic regarding both Christianity and “Tech Faith,” ought one be also assume an agnostic attitude elsewhere, as with Secular Humanism?
- Some critics of religion and Christianity like to define “faith” as something devoid of reason (as in “blind faith”). How does Epstein view faith in his analysis?
- While Epstein claims to values the role of religion in society, he nevertheless chafes at the “hegemony” (pervasive dominance) of Christianity in Western culture. This is often linked with a critique of colonialism and Christian missionary endeavor around the world. The focus on hegemony is basic to much of the anti-Christian sentiment in contemporary Western culture. Some leading explorations might start here:
QS — Meaning of Christian Hegemony and the History of Its Critique
What is Christian Hegemony? | Challenging Christian Hegemony - In a Wikipedia article, Greg Epstein is defined as Humanist rabbi from the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. He his credited with successfully developing the Center for Humanist Life (aka, the Humanist Hub) in Boston. Some have equated his American social influence with that of Richard Dawkins in the UK.
- In claiming not to be anti-religious, he claims to find some agreement with the Christian Left, valuing “opportunities for connection, ethical development, and the celebration of life based on human reason, compassion, and creativity, not religious dogma.”
- The above raises questions on the deeper relationship of Christianity and Secular Humanism. While it is accepted that the latter grew out of the former, what does this overlap mean for dialogue between Christians and Humanists? How should Christians express the “added value” of Christianity over Secular Humanism, and convincingly demonstrate the inadequacies of the latter?
- The Pluralism Project at Harvard. Epstein attempts to promote insight into the cultural diversity of America’s larger multi-cultural ethnic and religious society.
- To what degree, and for what purposes, do Christians value the various cultural traditions of our increasingly multicultural society?
- What are the appropriate strategies to be used in attempts to retain Christian social values in such a multicultural context?
- Epstein claims to respect the role of religion within society in terms of the cohesiveness it engenders.
His books…
Related focus posting…