Quote:
Originally posted by chavos
Do the factual claims really provide the substance? . . . What if the test of a religion isn't about if the truth claims it makes are objectively true, and more about the experience of the divine that it makes possible?
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All of the comfort of religion comes from knowing that there is a God, that He/She/It cares for you, and in most cases that you won't simply die, but will live on afterwards in your loving God's presence.
That's not a subjective experience. If you took away the ideas that God was there, loved you, and would take you under His/Her/Its wing after you died, what would you have? What would you have been "close" to?
Most religions tell you pretty flat-out that you shouldn't believe in other gods, and can't if you want to get The Big Reward instead of being shunned. How is that ultimatum a personal experience? What about it doesn't speak of it being one objective Truth?
Philosophy is more suited to the "world outlook and belief" that you're talking about.
Religion, while it may not always be perfectly clear, is always very specific, very black and white about some things.