If the concept of God is just a mis-understanding of natural forces, and religion is just an attempt to manipulate said God, would science and technology be a naturalistic religion?
Christian Huygens, the famous 17th Century mathematician, once said "the world is my country; science is my religion." I sort of feel that way.
While science reveals aspects of the environment and the body of science knowledge is simply a description of that natural world, science and technology uses those facts and principles revealed to go farther or in different world than "nature" might have gone on its own -- so I don't think we can call it naturalistic. Science and technology are deliberate. The natural world is one of bounded chaos -- ther\ amalgam of forces and entities at a particular time and place.
Great question. I think my answer would be... almost. I think science could be the starting point for a healthy religion, but a collection of verified facts does not a worldview make. We also need a philosophy, or meaning-structure to guide our actions. I believe a meaningful plan for dealing with life's challenges, based on verifiable evidence could qualify as a legitimate religion.
I like your answer. You put some thought into it. Is there any philosophical system, you know of, that you think would work?
Well, not one already established. I have built one for myself that seems to be serving well, but I have no idea if it would work for anyone else. I really think the bottom line is that each individual has to build their own. But itβs a BIG job.