Neil Van Leeuwen, "Religion As Make-Believe: A Theory of Belief, Imagination, and Group Identity" (Harvard UP, 2023)
Sep 17, 2024
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Neil Van Leeuwen, a scholar specializing in the intersection of psychology and religion, delves into the nuanced distinctions between religious beliefs and ordinary factual beliefs. He introduces the concept of a 'two-map cognitive structure' that combines factual reality with imaginative realms, shaping group identity and social interactions. Van Leeuwen explains how even improbable beliefs play a vital role in fostering community cohesion. The discussion also touches on the psychological dynamics of faith, doubt, and the meaningful role of petitionary prayer within groups.
Religious beliefs function similarly to imaginative play by using dual cognitive maps that intertwine factual and fictional understandings.
The language surrounding beliefs exposes a fundamental cognitive distinction, as people express 'belief' more frequently in religious contexts than factual ones.
Religious narratives may strengthen group identity and cohesion, even in their absurdities, highlighting the communal ties formed through shared beliefs.
Deep dives
The Nature of Religious Belief
Religious beliefs differ fundamentally from factual beliefs, functioning more like imaginative play rather than being grounded in empirical evidence. This perspective leads to the understanding that while people can acknowledge and articulate the philosophical distinction between fiction and belief, many religious practices mirror imaginative structures. Neil Van Lewin posits that these beliefs are compartmentalized and can exist alongside personal doubts, highlighting how such beliefs serve to reinforce group identity. This suggests that religious credences may operate not as absolute truths but as comfortable imaginations that facilitate social cohesion.
Cognitive Flexibility in Imaginative Play
The concept of cognitive flexibility is illustrated through the analogy of children's pretend play, where they simultaneously navigate between two cognitive maps—one being the imaginative layer and the other being factual beliefs. This dual-layer process enables children to engage in make-believe while remaining aware of the physical world. For example, when pretending a sandcastle is a palace, children consciously apply their understanding of sand and its properties, ensuring they do not confuse their imaginative play with reality. This flexibility underscores the human capacity to relate to ideas in diverse, context-dependent ways.
Differences in Attitude Towards Beliefs
Van Lewin discusses how the language surrounding religious and factual beliefs reveals a deeper distinction in cognitive attitudes. People tend to use the term 'believe' more frequently in religious contexts than in factual contexts, indicating an intuitive awareness of this difference. For instance, when discussing Jesus’ resurrection versus historical events like the signing of a treaty, individuals are more likely to express 'belief' about the former, enhancing the sense that religious faith encompasses emotional and personal dimensions. This linguistic pattern suggests that distinguishing between mere thoughts and earnest beliefs is rooted in societal understanding of faith.
Beliefs Guiding Group Identity
Religious beliefs often serve to define group identity and may function effectively even when they are not factually true. This dynamic allows beliefs that unify a group—in rituals or symbolic actions—to reinforce community ties despite contradictions with empirical reality. The case is made that absurdities within religious narratives can actually strengthen group cohesion, as they set participants apart from outsiders. Thus, the very uniqueness of certain religious stories and practices is potentially what fosters a stronger sense of belonging among adherents.
Exploring Doubt and Faith
Doubt exists within religious frameworks as a natural component of faith, especially in traditions that emphasize the necessity of belief for belonging. Van Lewin highlights how the presence of anxiety over doubts can generate unease among believers, as many feel pressured to attain certainty in their faith. This is contrasted with perspectives from other traditions, where doubt is embraced as a valuable element of the spiritual experience. Acknowledging this complexity in how people navigate their beliefs and doubts is essential for understanding the multifaceted nature of religious faith.
It is an intuitive truth that religious beliefs are different from ordinary factual beliefs. We understand that a belief in God or the sacredness of scripture is not the same as believing that the sun will rise again tomorrow or that flipping the switch will turn on the light.
When someone pretends, they navigate the world on two levels simultaneously, or as Van Leeuwen describes it, by consulting two maps. The first map is that of factual, mundane reality. The second is a map of the imagined world. This second map is then superimposed on top of the first to create a multi-layered cognitive experience that is consistent with both factual and imaginary understandings.
With this model in mind, we can understand religious belief, which Van Leeuwen terms religious "credence", as a form of make-believe that people use to define their group identity and express values they hold as sacred. Religious communities create a religious-credence map which sits on top of their factual-belief map, creating an experience where ordinary objects and events are rich with sacred and supernatural significance.
Recognizing that our minds process factual and religious beliefs in fundamentally different ways allows us to gain deeper understanding of the complex individual and group psychology of religious faith.