is religion logical?

Question

are religion and philosophy linked, as spinoza, anselm, aquinas, and so many others tried to make it, or should they be seperate? Can you prove the existence of a Being that transcends the spatial-temporal world using spatial-temporal means? (in other words, can you actually prove G-d's existence using terms that cannot possibly describe Him?)

googleer543: i enjoyed your rant, but it doesn't answer my question at all

Shadow: well put, but you're focussing just on Christianity as though it's the only religion, then criticising how illogical it is. There is more faith needed in Christianity than in any other religion. What about Taoism? Is that equally illogical in your view?

Answer 1

Religion is inherently illogical. Hence the use of the word faith.

Answer 2

Well, they could be linked. Philosophy is merely the love of knowledge. The attempt to figure things out. We have the philosophy of life, of religion, of math, of economics, of politics, etc.
But to say that either is the true foundation of the other would be wrong.
As for the question of logicality: yes it could be logical, based on the set of assumptions one accepts. Logic is merely the means to find something out. The algorithm to formulate an idea. There are different types of logic.
If god exists in this realm, we should be able to describe her whether or not she is extratemporal or extraspatial. We may not get a full description, but the existence proof should be there. The only way we couldn't is if god existed completely extraspatial/temporal. First, though, we'd have to prove whether THAT could exist or not.
Just some thoughts from an atheist.

Answer 3

Religion is illogical in that it requires a blind faith and adds something into the world that has no proof, nor reason to be there.

That the world is complex, or that science is unable to explain all events, is not proof of a creator. It is merely proof that science is limited and that we do not know everything. Inserting a being into this in not necessary, nor logical.

However, that people follow a religion or have faith is logical. It provides comfort and support which it is both natural and logical to want. To want to understand things or have it explained "why things are the way they are" is natural as well.

Religions themselves are not logical. The existence of religions is logical.

Answer 4

Actually, if you look at string theory form a theological point of view they already have proved the exsistance of God; ie: the point in time from which everything exploded being God speaking the world into existance. Also, there's so much factual research about earth itself being so exact to suppor life that it had to be desighned by someone.
As to religion, no religion makes sense - it's Do vs. Done - religion is a long lsit of what you have to do to be temporarily accepted by an angry God. Religion is why Jesus died, and it was the 'religious leaders' who killed him. On the other hand stands Done - Relationship with Him, that makes perfect sense. He's already paid our price and made us permenantly acceptable to God. ( solving the imperfection of man problem, becasue then God looks at you through the blood-painted glasses of Jesus Christ. Do vs. Done : religion=illogical becasue nothing you can do would ever be enough to settle your eternity with God. relationship=perfect because everything Jesus already did has settled your eternity and your today once you accept Him.

Answer 5

.
> On 1Dec06 The One asks: Is religion logical? are
> religion and philosophy linked, as spinoza, anselm,
> aquinas, and so many others tried to make it, or
> should they be separate? [snip]
.
cybrwurm answers: First off, that's four questions.
That's three too many. However, since the first two
are directly related, that's okay; but the last two are
unnecessary, distracting, and pointless. This is NOT
the way to ask *A* question. Please DON'T abuse
your privilege of asking questions. ...
.
Anyway, the answer to your first question is 'no'.
Religion was "invented" by our very remote ancestors
when the prevailing emotions were fear and awe.
These are the main things that still motivate religion.
Philosophy is very much younger; first appearing a
mere 25 centuries ago or so.
.
As to your second question, religion and philosophy
are indeed linked; one might even say 'married', chiefly
in the form of theology. As to your third question, they
should very much be separate, because for most of
its history philosophy was held hostage to religion
at gunpoint, and forced her to prostitute herself as
theology's "handmaiden", to labor as a slave for
the greater glory of the religion and its churches.
Philosophy only earned its freedom from the shackles
a few short centuries ago.

Answer 6

The religious philosophy I read back I college (most notably: Kirkegaard) started with the assumption that God exists.

The thing is, you can't prove God does not exist. All you can show is that you haven't found proof of existance.

However, no one in modern times has proven the existance of God, either. All they've proven is they don't know for sure how the Universe was created.

Answer 7

The way I see it, religion was just made up to A. keep people from being too out of control and B. to make money. Think about how many billions of dollars are spent on religious things every year. It's all a big scam used to scare you into spending your money so you wont go to "hell".

Answer 8

To quote the 'not' so great Martin Luther. "Whoever wants to be a Christian should tear the eyes out of his reason." Even the church founders knew it wasn't logical. That why they discourage questions, and insist on blind faith. If people would really open their eyes and ask a question now and then, they just might be surprised at what they learn.

Answer 9

Ronin is absolutely correct. By its very nature, religion requires its followers to excercise BELIEF without PROOF. To believers, proof of the existence of God is immaterial to their beliefs . In fact, the absence of proof becomes the testament of their faith. This is of course too great a leap for secular people.

Answer 10

To those who believe no proof is necissary. For those who dont believe no proof is enough. Its called faith my friend. If you believe the world, stars, everything is proof of a higher being. To those who dont believe its proof that God doesnt exsist and we all just happend to get here through evolution or whatever..