Extreme Pragmatism in Religious Thinking

Religion plays different epistemological practical spiritual material this-worldly and otherworldly functions in man's life. These functions can be useful in knowing explaining and promoting religion such as easily conversion to religion, higher quality of our actions, clarification of the ties of religious issues to life, and that there is no inconsistency between religion and science. Extreme pragmatism i.e. abnormal concern for religious benefits particularly practical and this-worldly functions may cause serious harms to religiosity and religious promotion. Examples of such harms are: instrumental approach to the religion, that religious duties can be replaceable, ill-founded interpretations of religious duties, feeling bored when our material needs are not met by religious duties, ignoring real functions of religion, discouraging the devout feeling of obedience to religious commandments and the like. Having been influenced by extreme concern for this-worldly and practical benefits of religion, some contemporary intellectuals such as Dr. Ali Shariati and Dr. Paknezhad came to suffer from extreme pragmatism when explaining religion.