The Importance of Belief in Religion

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"I think you sometimes overestimate the degree to which religion is about belief," says Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. "The basis for a practice can either be dogmatic and irrational, or engaged very much in the spirit of a scientific hypothesis." To get orthodox Judaism off the ground, the buy-in isPretty steep. You have to believe certain things on the basis of precious little evidence,. Like the Hebrew Bible, the Torah is the actual word of the Creator. Why do you say that you have to? Well, you have to see how ridiculous the claim is on its face?"

Bestselling author and friend of the podcast Sam Harris joins Tamler and Dave for a marathon podcast. (Seriously, pack two pairs of astronaut diapers for this one). We talk about the costs and benefits of religion, dropping acid in India, and the illusory nature of (a certain kind of) free will. Then we go at it on blame, moral responsibility, hatred, guilt, retribution, and vengeance. Sam thinks these are antiquated responses based on a belief in spooky metaphysics, Tamler thinks they are important components of human morality, and Dave just wants everyone to get along and be reasonable (like that nice Kant fellow).

Time markers (roughly)

0:00-47:00 Intro and costs and benefits of religion

47:00-77:30 Drugs, the self, free will

77:30-- Blame, guilt, vengeance, moral responsibility, desert.

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