In defense of religion

To defend religion is to invite confusion from every direction. To some, the term signals a retreat from reason, an apology for superstition, or a refusal to accept the hard-won insights of modern science. For others, defense suggests a rallying cry, an attempt to restore authority, reassert dogma, or protect inherited belief from scrutiny. I will do neither. I will not argue whether religious doctrines are true, miracles occurred, or sacred texts should govern public life. I will begin instead from a simpler observation. Religion is criticized for something it was never primarily meant to be.