My favorite Stephenson's novel is Anathem with superb world building (as usual) but also a pretty good story and ending.
But it's also a book whose world (specifically the avout society) attracts me. I've grown up in a Catholic setting, but "converted" to atheism/agnosticism pretty early. But even with its many failings, there are certain aspects of religions which seem worth preserving - the focus on community, the rituals, a particular rule framework, meditation (prayers) and introspection.
The book presents a (on a certain level) pretty attractive model of society which combines the practical religious patterns with a full rationalism.
I kind of understand why such "atheist religion" is unlikely to get off in the real world, but it's still something I would wish for.
But it's also a book whose world (specifically the avout society) attracts me. I've grown up in a Catholic setting, but "converted" to atheism/agnosticism pretty early. But even with its many failings, there are certain aspects of religions which seem worth preserving - the focus on community, the rituals, a particular rule framework, meditation (prayers) and introspection.
The book presents a (on a certain level) pretty attractive model of society which combines the practical religious patterns with a full rationalism.
I kind of understand why such "atheist religion" is unlikely to get off in the real world, but it's still something I would wish for.