"Religion" conceptualized for Atheists

Alain de Botton recently published a book, "Religion for Atheists", that reflected on the positive features of religion, in spite of his convictions that there is no God. He is an atheist who recognizes that people benefit from the rituals and symbols that support them during the ups and down of life. 


I surely recognize what he is talking about. I experienced many of the positive aspects of religion that he wants now to re-create for atheists. It sounds strange until one considers that Catholic theology of sacraments and days of special significance references explicitly the relationship between these events and our earthly life. For example, the Eucharist celebration is reflected in family meals, Penance noted in human forgiveness of another's hurt, Christmas as the incorporation of the Winter Solstice and Easter, the emergence of Spring. Preaching often references these human events in order to connect the "real" world with the "religious" world.


I can understand why he sees a benefit of establishing a formal, albeit atheistic, religious ritual of our human events. 


My problem has to do with the notion of "religion". Religion has become for me a negative force, resulting all too often in bigotry, alienation from others, hatred, and violence. The good of religion that is well documented is outweighed by the negative results, also well documented. At this point in my life, I remain a believer in a God who is completely beyond my comprehension. I recognize a God within an evolutionary context. The world is inherently beautiful and a reflection of that God and we can see some reflection of him in the wonder of creation, including ourselves. Recognizing that we are responsible for adopting behaviors that are consistent with the gifts of the universe creates a "demand" on us. Transmitting this notion of God is admittedly much more difficult than participating in rituals that communicate meaning about our lives and associated responsibilities. 


I do see problems in my approach. Just as it is difficult to "teach" the benefits of delayed gratification or the need to accept an inherent responsibility for others, based on our humanity, it is also hard to teach "religious truth" without also conveying prejudice and alienation. Religious becomes an absolute and inherently divisive. If truth is absolute, clearly those not adhering to those beliefs are wrong, with implications of negative outcomes. 


While it might be easier to adopt "rituals, even as atheists, I would argue that it is a lesser way to achieve a good end.