I categorize people’s reasons for believing this way.
Dumb Reasons
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1. An authority figure told me it was true. (They all lie)
2. It’s written in a book. (So is Spiderman)
3. How else could reality come into existence? (Ignorance is not evidence.)
4. My holy book accurately predicts things (So does Moby Dick. It’s been proven.)
5. I was raised this way.
6. It’s just obvious that God exists, you stupid heathen.
Slightly Better Reasons
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1. I talked to God and he answered. (The Mormon method)
2. I feel Jesus/God/Allah inside me.
3. My prayers are sometimes/often answered.
Excellent Reasons
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1. I’m hedging my bets just in case it’s real.
2. Belief gives me immediate real-world benefits, socially, health-wise, and happiness-wise. And if it turns out to be true, that’s a bonus.
3. I have studied the historical and scientific evidence and concluded that there is plenty of reason to believe in God.
Scott Adams, http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2006/04/psychics_and_go.html
tags: Apologetics Apologetics ×