So… I started looking into apocalypticism, where it comes from, what fosters it, its effects on people and societies. Somehow, that led into the nature of knowledge. In the course of that particular rabbit trail, I learned that the Chinese have one word for knowledge, wisdom, intellect, and intelligence. That word is zhihui. A common word, nothing significant or important about it in Chinese language or culture, but I found myself thinking, if there was one religion I could get behind, I think it would be something that sounds like zhihui. So I did some digging. It doesn't exist. Imagine that. However, if it did, I think I would find it perfectly rational and positive for a person to have a "religious commitment" to knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence for its own sake. I can't believe that's not a thing somewhere, but it's not, anywhere in the world.

After a few minutes of sitting back to marinate on all this, I got this picture in my head of what it could look like… A person could routinely set aside an undisturbed time for learning and contemplation, like a daily devotional. There could be "convocations" where people get together with the intention to share knowledge and experiences, and other helpful resources, an accommodating social atmosphere where "sermons" would be as informative and explorative as they would be enlightening and encouraging.... I may be onto something here.

This has been an episode of "My Rabbit Trails!" Thanks for tuning in!

Throw in on the daydream if you’ve got some thoughts, or a “vision,” if you will, of what zhihui could be to thee and we.

Footnote: I may end up cross-posting this... in r/atheism, at least. But I'm a devout anti-theist, so I come to you first, brothers, sisters, comrades, friends, as Hitch would say, to hear what you think of my silly pondering and how you might improve or expand upon it before I go on to embarrass myself further with it elsewhere, and I will. At any rate, Cheers.