Many years ago my father told me of the story behind the invention of the gas-turbine engine. Forgive me if it is lacking in certain details or if some element of it is not technically accurate. But, here it is:
The reciprocating-piston, internal combustion engine had been around for quite some time and was the constant object of various scientists' and engineers' attempts to improve it. Because the IC engine takes in air for the oxygen it needs, some people thought making more air available to the engine would allow for more power via more efficient combustion. Various types of fans and compressors were tinkered with as were methods for powering these. Superchargers, or blowers, used mechanical linkages to the IC engine to power their fan blades and are still used in some vehicles today. But, the engineers in this story had another idea.
Rather than use some of the available engine power to run the compressor our hero noticed the force with which the engine constantly ejected exhaust into the air. If this force could be harnessed, the compressor could be powered for free (ok, not totally free, but pretty cheaply). Thus, the new system that emerged was an internal combustion, piston-driven engine that captured the force from its exhaust to force-feed itself air. The fan-like structure that turned airflow (exhaust) into mechanical power was called a "turbine", so the turbine/compressor system that enhanced the IC engine was named the "turbo-charger". Nor was this innovation a flash in the pan. Many vehicles, from sports cars to fire trucks, use turbocharged engines today. But, there was something else.
Someone working on the project started thinking about the turbo-charged system as a whole. The energy present in the exhaust, the efficiency with which turbines converted that into compressed air for the front of the system, the explosive force of the burning fuel/air mixture. There was a part of the system that seemed like it might not be necessary. Amazingly enough, this part was . . . the internal combustion engine!
As it turns out, a jet-engine in operation produces more than enough exhaust force to power its compressors, feeding itself adequate air to maintain combustion in its central chamber which, compared to the complication of pistons, crank-shafts, cams, and other parts present in an IC engine, seems pretty empty. In fact, a jet-engine of comparable size and weight can outperform an IC engine by a considerable factor, making it a popular choice in aircraft, where efficient power to weight ratios are in high demand.
Of course, this was outrageous. The entire purpose of the turbo-charger was to increase the efficiency and power of the IC engine, not get rid of it. While this view is accurate, it is also narrow. The purpose of the system as a whole is to turn the energy of combustible fuel into mechanical power. The internal combustion engine did that. But, if you value space, weight efficiency and raw power over fuel usage and affordability, the gas-turbine does it better.
While this is a true story, it also functions well as a parable. Religions are social engines that consume resources from society, but also provide for certain needs. I've addressed the issue before, but people get a lot of things from religion in exchange for their time, money and advocacy. A sense of social connection, advocacy for social justice, a mechanism for moral instruction of children, a forum dedicated to contemplating moral questions or issues for adults, the construction of an ethical ideal or exemplar to serve as a goal for people to strive towards in becoming better citizens, parents, children, friends or just generally better human beings. A place to wrestle with the question, "what makes a better human being better?".
And at the center of all this activity are the gods, to whose service all the previous are dedicated. As an engine drives a car, so does worship of the gods drive religion. Religion provides all of the aforementioned advantages in either direct or indirect service of the gods. But, what if those ends were achieved by means that mirrored many of the superficial aspects of traditional piety while dispensing with superstition? Critics might warn against a "spiritual void" the organization would leave if it ejected the gods. But in our engineering parable above, it is in the void of the jet engine, the place once inhabited by the less advanced internal combustion power plant, that the reactions take place making the system so much more powerful.
I am not against all religion. It may even be that our species' social development has gone through a period in which superstition was advantageous. Or perhaps it was inevitable, given our ability to think abstractly, make connections or detect patterns . . . sometimes even where they don't actually exist. But, I think the time for that has passed. Most people don't mill their own flour on stones powered by hand-cranks. Nor do we travel by horseback or wind-powered boats. While there will always be those who cling to old ways for whatever reason, most will recognize the value of innovation. There are emotional, social and practical needs served by religiosity and religious organizations and we should recognize that. But, we should also recognize that much of what we call religion has become outdated or been debunked. We need a new kind of faith, one fitting for the 21st century, not the 12th.
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