Religious frameworks continue to shape American politics and public life by providing a sense of moral orientation and belonging, according to discussions held by the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program. Scholars and journalists gathered at the St. Regis Deer Valley in Park City, Utah, to examine how these convictions persist even as traditional religious affiliation declines.
How does religion influence modern public life?
Religion functions as a bridge between a person's internal meaning—what sociologist Peter Berger termed the "nomos"—and the physical world, or "cosmos," according to Richard Parker of the Harvard Kennedy School. Parker argues that human beings use language, stories, and shared obligations to create a foundation for how to live.
According to Parker, the role of religion in secular societies remains significant because it offers sources of hope and moral purpose. He cites the work of philosopher Jürgen Habermas to support the claim that religion helps “still our fear of being alive” and “stills our fear of being alone.”
What is the connection between dharma and existential meaning?
The concept of dharma in Hinduism mirrors the sociological relationship between the nomos and the cosmos. As noted by journalist Kalpana Jain, dharma is sometimes loosely translated as religion, but it is more than that. It is a moral order that encompasses ethical living and one’s obligations to family, society, nature and, ultimately, the world beyond oneself.
Why is the search for belonging increasing in the U.S.?
The Aspen Institute’s gathering highlighted a growing concern: the search for meaning and belonging when many religious sources of moral orientation are declining. The discussion explored how religious communities and convictions shape politics and public life in America.
Comparison of Sociological Frameworks
| Concept | Definition/Source | Function in Society |
|---|---|---|
| Nomos (Peter Berger) | The meaningful order created through language and stories. | Provides a sense of identity and shared social obligation. |
| Cosmos (Peter Berger) | The physical, objective world existing outside human perception. | Represents the raw reality that humans must interpret. |
| Dharma (Hindu Tradition) | A moral and ethical order of duty. | Connects the individual to the family, nature, and the universe. |
Who is Kalpana Jain?
Kalpana Jain is a senior religion/ethics editor and director of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative at The Conversation. A 2009 Nieman Fellow at Harvard, Jain’s career includes reporting for The Times of India and receiving a Pulitzer grant to investigate Hindu nationalism in India. She holds a master’s in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School and a master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. Her research has spanned modern-day slavery and the AIDS epidemic in India, the latter detailed in her book, “Positive Lives,” published by Penguin.