Thanks for your thoughtful response. Of course you are right — religious constructs (i.e., theologies) at their best have served to focus people’s attention and to describe, codify, and elevate compassion to a shared value. Religious institutions also use other human characteristics to grow and survive — characteristics such as our fears about death, our desire to be “in with the in-crowd,” and our apparent need for boundaries within which we can tame our unruly selves.

So, like you, I don’t know if the “nones” will ever coalesce in anything like the way I’d like to see. As a note, I see that you identify as Baha’i — surely one of the most inclusive and enlightened faith traditions I have ever come across. I’m happily spending time adding to my earlier seminary education, and you’ve reminded me of a rich source of inspiration and learning. Thank you for that.