Tom Fudge : Intellectuals have been predicting the demise of religion for hundreds of years. Eventually, they said, it would go the way of all superstition as human beings became educated and realized the power of science. How wrong they were. Religion is still a powerful force in our country, and throughout the world. You can dislike that, but that won't make religion go away. There seems to be something inately human about wanting to believe in God and the life of the spirit.
Those who regret the continuing human belief in religion point to the many examples of how religion can be destructive. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield recognizes the destructive power of religion. But he also knows that it can be very good. The problem, he says, is that some people only see the good in religion, and they don't allow their religion feelings to harbor any doubt or complexity. If they did, what a wonderful world it would be. At least, we'd be a little bit better off.
Guest
- Brad Hirschfield , president of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and author of "You Don't Have to be Wrong for Me to be Right."
