This topic is entertaining!
here's my addition.
from what I've seen on people, the world, religions, non-religious philosophy etc ... I'm left wondering this:
Has anyone who is religious, made this decision based 100% on a purely intellectual level?
Or has there always been an emotional content in this decision?
I wonder this because I've gotten the impression religion is based on an emotional response to the meaning of life. philosophy is based on a rational viewpoint. Wisdom is based on rationally approaching emotion!
I think people get religion or philosophy (non religion in other words) but rarely do they reach the third!
ahem, there you go. my thoughts....
My belief is based not on emotion but upon a combination of intuition, reason and pragmatism.
INTUITION
Wikipedia: Intuition is the ability to acquire knowledge without inference and/or the use of reason.
"The word 'intuition' comes from the Latin word 'intueri' which is usually translated as 'to look inside' or 'to contemplate'."
Intuition provides us with beliefs that we cannot justify in every case. For this reason, it has been the subject of study in psychology, as well as a topic of interest in the supernatural. The "right brain" is popularly associated with intuitive processes such as aesthetic abilities.
Some scientists have contended that intuition is associated with innovation in scientific discovery.
For example, Einstein was a non-religious aspie believer who once said Quantum mechanics is certainly imposing. But an
inner voice tells me that it is not yet the real thing. The theory says a lot, but does not really bring us any closer to the secret of the "old one."
I, at any rate, am convinced that He does not throw dice.
REASON
Heidigger suggested in the mid twentieth century that the ultimate metaphysical question is:
"Why is there something rather than nothing?"
Phiosophy has a long history of examining this question using the power of logic and reason:
PRAGMATISM
William James, the founder of the first truly American system of Philosophy,
Pragmatism, defined truth as "what works." For many people a spiritual belief works well for them. It provides comfort and stability. It gives them courage and strength. Many good, decent people credit their faith with motivating life goals that are admirable.
I liked what Obama said in his speech last night when he quoted Lincoln. Lincoln's speech addressed the national crisis of the southern secession from the union.
"... upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."
Lincoln was not religious but he was a pragmatist and he accepted that in the situation he describes it worked for him to believe fulfilling William James peculiarly American definition of truth as "what works."
DISCLAIMER
Religion and faith have often been twisted and combined with power and evil to create horror of many kinds. We should condemn this perversion like any other.
I like that one!
