041526 ~ When Religion is Replaced with Politics - Frank Rubino

When religion is stripped from people's lives—whether by personal choice or systemic removal—modern society increasingly fills the void with political ideology, turning partisan beliefs into quasi-religious dogmas. Psychotherapist Frank Rubino argues that this shift isn't just cultural but deeply psychological, rooted in humanity's innate need for faith and meaning. Drawing from Neanderthal burial practices to Soviet state atheism, he shows how replacing religion with politics leads to extremism, division, and emotional suffering. He warns that when political convictions are held with the same fervor as religious beliefs—especially when they're used to demonize opponents—society risks descending into tribalism. Yet he also notes a surprising resurgence in traditional religion, particularly within the Catholic Church, suggesting that many are seeking authentic spiritual fulfillment rather than ideological substitutes. The real crisis, Rubino insists, isn't in Washington, D.C.—it's within individuals who confuse political discontent with existential despair and fail to address their inner unhappiness through therapy or self-reflection.