A Replacement for Religion

Many of us find ourselves in the odd situation of not believing in religion - but nevertheless being interested in it, moved by it and sympathetic to some of its aims. We may enjoy religious art and architecture, music and community, and even some of the rituals - while being unable to believe in divine commandments or the existence of a higher being.



This book is about those feelings and what we might do about them. The School of Life is a secular organisation fascinated by the gaps left in modern society by the gradual disappearance of religion. We're interested in how hard it is to find a sense of community, how rituals are dying out and how much we sometimes crave the solemn quiet you find in religious buildings, as well as the comfort offered by the belief in a deity.



This book lays out how we might absorb the best lessons of religion, update them for our times and incorporate them into our daily lives and societies - without taking on the theological or doctrinal elements. This book tries to rescue some of what remains wise and useful from all that no longer seems (to many of us) to be quite true.

“What readers are saying "A useful book for troubled souls. After having been brought up in a religious setting, I feel its absence in my now atheist adult life. This book contains some good ideas, highlighting life-saving principles. A book worth reading by religious and non-religious people alike. " A wholesome book with ideas that are very relevant to today's society. It's not an easy task to design rituals that could replace religion as it is, yet The school of Life has done an impressive job in trying. In a secular mindset it is very easy to dismiss religion. This book provides an excellent basis on which to take a different perspective and understand the benefits that religion brings to our society and community. It also offers a methodology to recreate these benefits outside of a traditional religious practice. Following these guidelines will produce a much greater sense of personal awareness. This is well worth a read.”

What readers are saying

"A useful book for troubled souls. After having been brought up in a religious setting, I feel its absence in my now atheist adult life. This book contains some good ideas, highlighting life-saving principles. A book worth reading by religious and non-religious people alike."

"A wholesome book with ideas that are very relevant to today's society. It's not an easy task to design rituals that could replace religion as it is, yet The school of Life has done an impressive job in trying."

"In a secular mindset it is very easy to dismiss religion. This book provides an excellent basis on which to take a different perspective and understand the benefits that religion brings to our society and community. It also offers a methodology to recreate these benefits outside of a traditional religious practice. Following these guidelines will produce a much greater sense of personal awareness. This is well worth a read."

The School of Life is devoted to developing emotional intelligence. It addresses issues such as how to find fulfilling work, how to master the art of relationships, how to understand one's past, how to achieve calm, and how better to understand and - where necessary - change the world. These ideas are delivered through a range of channels: from videos, books, and products - to classes, events, and one-to-one therapy sessions.



The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. Their books share a coherent, curated message that speaks with one voice: calm, reassuring, and sane.

Many of us find ourselves in the odd situation of not believing in religion - but nevertheless being interested in it, moved by it and sympathetic to some of its aims. We may enjoy religious art and architecture, music and community, and even some of the rituals - while being unable to believe in divine commandments or the existence of a higher being.This book is about those feelings and what we might do about them. The School of Life is a secular organisation fascinated by the gaps left in modern society by the gradual disappearance of religion. We're interested in how hard it is to find a sense of community, how rituals are dying out and how much we sometimes crave the solemn quiet you find in religious buildings, as well as the comfort offered by the belief in a deity.This book lays out how we might absorb the best lessons of religion, update them for our times and incorporate them into our daily lives and societies - without taking on the theological or doctrinal elements. This book tries to rescue some of what remains wise and useful from all that no longer seems (to many of us) to be quite true.

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