Data Over Dogma

Episode 51: Is Religion Make-Believe? With Neil Van Leeuwen

Mar 25, 2024

Cognitive scientist Neil Van Leeuwen discusses the distinction between religious credence and factual belief. The podcast delves into the psychology of religious beliefs, cognitive dissonance, and navigating complex religious beliefs. It highlights the resilience of religious beliefs, challenges in updating beliefs, and the impact of social dynamics on belief formation.

01:04:06

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Quick takeaways

Religious beliefs are akin to imaginative make-believe, contrasting factual knowledge with emotional tendencies.

Group identity plays a significant role in shaping religious credences, influencing individual beliefs and social interactions.

Encouraging introspective analysis and reframing beliefs can lead to productive dialogues, transcending rigid group identities.

Deep dives

Understanding the Distinction between Factual Belief and Religious Credence

Cognitive science delves into the theoretical and experimental aspects of psychology, distinguishing between different cognitive attitudes such as factual belief and religious credence. Neil Van Lewin provides insights into exploring the psychological nature of religious beliefs and practices, emphasizing the voluntary nature of adopting religious credences compared to factual beliefs based on responses to outside incentives.

Voluntariness and Evidential Constraints in Religious Beliefs

01:20

Challenging Perceptions of Religious Beliefs

01:22

The Power of Language in Challenging Beliefs

02:00

Groupish Beliefs and Tribal Identity Markers

01:25

Introduction

2min

The Psychology of Religious Beliefs

17min

Exploring Cognitive Dissonance in Religious Beliefs and Behavior

5min

Navigating the Complexity of Religious Beliefs

25min

Exploring the Complexity of Religious Credences

9min

Concluding Discussion on Book Availability and Patronage

3min

It doesn't sound very nice, but this week we're asking the question: is religious belief the same as factual knowledge, or is closer to imagination? Cognitive scientist and philosopher Neil Van Leeuwen is here to walk us through the theory he puts forward in his book Religion as Make-Believe A Theory of Belief, Imagination, and Group Identity. And it is fascinating!

Dr. Van Leeuwen dives deep into how our minds relate to the world around us. What distinguishes our understanding of what's in the room next to us from our ideas about who or what controls the universe? Is there a difference between what he calls a "religious credence" that God is present in your life and the factual belief that you're currently sitting on a soft brown sofa? What's going on in our brains when we believe something versus when we know it?

Find the book here (or ask your local bookshop to order it for you): https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Neil-Van-Leeuwen/dp/067429033X

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