Myths of the Tribe

David Rich examines the pervasive influence of organized religion on three vital areas of human behavior - ethics, government, and economics - and argues that the belief systems of all major religions have become a detriment to clear thinking, rational conduct, and wise public policy. Despite the fact that modern society is an outgrowth of the Enlightenment, most of our "tribe" continues to operate on the basis of assumptions and attitudes that have their origin in ancient myths. These myths, still propagated by organized religion, not only hamper efforts to apply reason to our problems, but they can even foster violent conflicts that threaten global security, as witnessed today in the former Yugoslavia, the Middle East, Northern Ireland, and many regions of Africa and Asia.

Rich begins his analysis by examining the history of our major world religions and the common mythic elements that they share. He contrasts the figurative picture of the universe presented by religion with the currently accepted scientific facts. He then discusses the link between traditional morality and religious beliefs, demonstrating how obsolete attitudes have led to futile and wasteful government policies in such critical areas of social concern as illegal drugs, abortion, crime, poverty, and environmental abuse.

Rich proposes an essentially libertarian philosophy, which argues for rational analysis of all problems in the light of objective scientific evidence, a system of ethics that allows complete individual liberty constrained only by the principle of harming no one else, taking personal responsibility for one's own welfare and actions, and the absence of government control over the pursuit of happiness. Rich maintains that religion is a private matter and as such should play no part in public policy or internatioal relations. Only by maintaining this distinction can our global community have a chance of achieving its highest rational aspirations.