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Straight White American Jesus

It's in the Code Ep 124: "Religion as Make Believe"

Nov 27, 2024
Neil Van Leeuwen, a philosophy professor at Florida State University and author of "Religion as Make Believe," dives into the intriguing idea of religion as a form of make-believe. He explores how religious beliefs compare to children’s imaginative play, emphasizing their psychological foundations. The conversation also tackles how belief shapes group identity and persists despite counter-evidence. With insights on religious trauma and deconstruction, Neil offers a thoughtful perspective on managing strong beliefs and the importance of access to academic literature.
01:08:12

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Religion functions as a collective imaginative framework akin to make-believe, aiding individuals in defining their identities within communities.
  • The distinction between factual beliefs and religious credences highlights how the latter often serve as identity markers rather than truth claims.

Deep dives

Concept of Religion as Make-Believe

Religion can be understood as a form of make-believe akin to children's play, where different groups engage in collective narratives that help define their identities. This perspective positions religions not as strict doctrines or absolute truths but as shared imaginative frameworks that create in-groups and activate sacred values. The book emphasizes that this playful engagement does not necessarily undermine the seriousness of religious beliefs; rather, it reframes them as identity-forming activities that humans participate in to relate to supernatural agents. Understanding religion in this way can illuminate how individuals can genuinely believe in seemingly outlandish claims without the necessity of evidence, as these beliefs often serve to reinforce communal ties and personal identity.

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