In this episode of Taste of Truth Tuesdays, We sit down with Neil, author of the thought-provoking book ‘Religion as Make-Believe’ 📚. Neil, a philosopher and cognitive scientist 🧠 with a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University 🎓, challenges traditional views on religious belief by likening it to make-believe. He discusses the distinction between religious credence and factual belief, highlighting how factual beliefs are open to updating based on evidence, whereas religious credence often resists such updates.
Neil uses simple examples to illustrate his point: while an ordinary factual belief, like the belief that there are cookies 🍪 in the cupboard, updates in light of incoming evidence, religious credence is like imagining cookies even when the cupboard is empty. He explains that religious practices, such as prayer 🙏, often supplement rather than replace medical care, much like athletes use rituals alongside rigorous training 🏃♀️.
Neil suggests that religious credence is an identity-constituting game of make-believe, with practices like prayer indicating social bonds and kinship. In multicultural and pluralistic societies 🌎, these beliefs help define group identities and distinguish us from them. He describes how sacred actions, backed by the imperative force of sacred values, often function as symbolic gestures 🎭 that can lead to neglect of practical policies aligned with those sacred values.
For listeners interested in deconstructing or critically examining their own spiritual beliefs, Neil offers practical advice based on his research, emphasizing the cathartic realization that religious practice is a way of seeking community and connection 🤝. He addresses critiques of his work, such as the “but…but…but extremists!” objection and the “Rational Pressure” argument, and outlines areas for further exploration in the study of religion and belief, particularly in the political realm 🗳️.
🎧Tune in for an enlightening discussion that will challenge your perspectives and deepen your understanding of the role of belief in human societies. Don't miss it! 🎙️🔍
📘Please check Neil's book at Amazon or Harvard University Press and recommend it to your local library 🙂
🙏 Please help this podcast reach a larger audience in hope to edify & encourage others! To do so: leave a 5⭐️ review and send it to a friend! Thank you for listening! I’d love to hear from you, find me on Instagram! @taste0ftruth or Pinterest!
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