Religion has an Essential Role in the 21st Century

L. Ron Hubbard's article, "Religious Influence in Society" has more bearing now than it did 30 years ago when he wrote:

"Today we are witnessing that decline and since we are involved in it, it is of utmost importance to us. At stake are whether the ideals we cherish will survive or some new abhorrent set of values win the day.

"These are not idle statements. We are today at a watershed of history and our actions today will decide whether the world goes up from here or continues to slide into some new dark age.

"It is important to understand bad conditions don’t just happen. The cultural decay we see around us isn’t haphazard. It was caused. Unless one understands this he won’t be able to defend himself or reach out into the society with effectiveness.

"A society is capable of surviving for thousands of years unless it is attacked from within or without by hostile forces. Where such an attack occurs, primary targets are its religious and national gods and heroes, its potential of leadership and the self-respect and integrity of its members."

He went on to say:

"Probably the most critical point of attack on a culture is its religious experience. Where one can destroy or undermine religious institutions then the entire fabric of the society can be quickly subverted or brought to ruin."

He points out a trend that was very visible at the time he wrote this - 1976:

"For the last hundred years or so religion has been beset with a relentless attack. You have been told it’s the 'opiate of the masses' that it’s unscientific, that it is primitive; in short, that it is a delusion."

All it takes is a Google search on the subject-- 21st Century religion -- and it is clear that this has continued and worsened.

And I don't think anyone would deny the level of ethics, decency, even safety of our society has declined terribly, even over the past 30 years.

Mr. Hubbard goes on to explain why and how this has occured, and I really recommend reading the entire article (which, by the way, introduces the Volunteer Ministers program as a solution to reverse this dwindling spiral).