Religion’s utility value: language games and gentlemen’s games
In Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) classes, teachers give their students a list of words for them to find the odd one out. Then they have to explain why they thought it to be odd. It’s an exciting game because teachers include more than one word that may be interpreted as odd in various ways.
Let’s consider the following words: cricket, affluence, deceit, corruption, fame, bribery, euphoria, herd-instinct, patriotism, manipulation, politics, suppression, poverty, disappointment, gentlemen and religion. Many would say that the odd word is the last one– religion. Of course, not all would agree, which is the strongpoint of the game. There can very well be other choices ensuing argument and debate. Such language games are both fun and effective in getting the students to talk in the TESL classroom. Also, there can be disagreement on the arrangement of the words in the list. Can they be arranged in a better, more logical order depending on their connections?
For example, some would see a lack of coherence in the word order. They would say that ‘gentlemen’ is more affiliated with cricket played by 17th century English aristocracy and ask why on earth it is placed near religion and not with cricket. However, there will be others who would argue that since aristocrats have no reason not to be religious, why not place both cricket and gentlemen close to religion? The former would claim that both cricket and gentlemen would fit more readily with many of the other words like affluence, deceit, corruption, fame, bribery, etc., – words that occur recurrently in TV news bulletins, chats and in social media? Anyway, the above example can illustrate how a well-thought-out language game can generate exciting discussion and debate.
Today, cricket seems to have been profitable in many more games in addition to its somewhat less known utility value in language games in TESL. However, it would be somewhat stale and unexciting to talk about cricket now, which will only lead to further disenchantment, which is the dominant collective feeling today. The unfolding drama in the cricket theatre cannot really give any new insights to people other than adding to the general sense of disgust people feel towards the corrupt power structures of society infested with parasitic elites.
However, looking for seemingly farfetched connections between cricket and religion, our traditional guide in ethics, may be more exciting than pondering on the decomposing state of the social body infected by political and administrative parasites. After all, the word ‘cricket’ for many Sri Lankans, triggers such fervent feelings as passion, adoration, respect, mass hysteria, devotion, and even ‘worship’ one may associate with religion. So, is it very unnatural for one to mention religion when one thinks of our cricket – that collective national obsession, which is in disrepute? Yet, many would think it silly to have “religion” on an agenda for discussing cricket.
How can an all-pervasive fixation like religion be totally forgotten when we discuss our worst problems- be they on politics, economics, medicine, cricket or sugar for that matter? Religion hardly enters into any important discussion on issues that form the very foundation of our social life. Simply ask why religion is a nonissue in any important discussion on the most serious problems in life – you will only make them horrified by your naivety. All practical people, those hardboiled administrators, politicians and all kinds of elites who call the shots will tell you that religion is to be utilised for the consumption and manipulation of the hoi polloi. Or, more diplomatically, it’s your personal affair. In short, “sure, you can be religious to your heart’s content. Who stops you? But, wait a minute. Religion, of all things, in politics, business or in any money-making-project? Are you serious?
One thing is clear. Religion is the most underutilised institution for social wellbeing. Whatever its intended function may be, religion or, rather, its ethical aspects are not given any important place in any discussion or project that can have any serious influence on people. So far as religion is going to be just that thing called ‘religion’ as we have known it for ages- an identity marker and a brittle emotion-filled vial or amulet you wear, corruption and all its attendant evils will be the stuff of life forever.
People should stop paying lip service to religion and take its ethical spirit and ignore the destructive and divisive wraps. If we all can refine those political, social and economic structures that will ensure justice and fair play, perhaps people will not be so maniacally obsessed with the most destructive superficial aspects of religion coming in the form of narratives implanted in childhood.
Mention “religion” in any important discussion or project which is critically important to millions of people, and you may be pitied for your naivety. However, there will be thousands who would wish to be martyrs to saving religion. For what purpose is the big question.
Susantha Hewa
