Have you read "The Future of Faith in an Age of Disbelief"? Why does religion matter?

Question

Thomas J. Watson, a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, at Syracuse University, wrote a book called "Why Religion Matters.
The Future of Faith in an Age of Disbelief"

I never read his book, but I heard the title, and I thought it was a very good question.

What do YOU think about "religion" vs "FAITH" in the 21st century!?!

Is there a "philosophy" of faith? I know a french mathematician published a "logical" PROOF that we should believe!

I forget his name, and his exact logical "proof". His reasoning, generally, was "there is no upside to unbelief".

Answer 1

I believe that philosopher was Pascal, and the logical argument is known as Pascal's wager. It's not generally accepted as proof, because it is a probabilistic argument, and not a empirical conclusion.

Generally if you can follow what's called "strong criticalism" ,eg. as Clifford argues, then the wager will certainly pan out... Everyone else is still unsure of their endeavor, but yes it's worth the effort.

As to the answer to the rest of your question it lies here...

"The Great Being saith: O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity. This is the straight Path, the fixed and immovable foundation. Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure. Our hope is that the world's religious leaders and the rulers thereof will unitedly arise for the reformation of this age and the rehabilitation of its fortunes. Let them, after meditating on its needs, take counsel together and, through anxious and full deliberation, administer to a diseased and sorely-afflicted world the remedy it requireth.

The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together in all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding.

At the outset of every endeavour, it is incumbent to look to the end of it. Of all the arts and sciences, set the children to studying those which will result in advantage to man, will ensure his progress and elevate his rank. Thus the noisome odours of lawlessness will be dispelled, and thus through the high endeavours of the nation's leaders, all will live cradled, secure and in peace.

The Great Being saith: The learned of the day must direct the people to acquire those branches of knowledge which are of use, that both the learned themselves and the generality of mankind may derive benefits therefrom. Such academic pursuits as begin and end in words alone have never been and will never be of any worth. The majority of Persia's learned doctors devote all their lives to the study of a philosophy the ultimate yield of which is nothing but words.

It is incumbent upon them who are in authority to exercise moderation in all things. Whatsoever passeth beyond the limits of moderation will cease to exert a beneficial influence. Consider for instance such things as liberty, civilization and the like. However much men of understanding may favourably regard them, they will, if carried to excess, exercise a pernicious influence upon men.

If this point were to be expounded an elaborate explanation would be required which, it is feared, might become tedious. It is the ardent hope of this lowly one that God -- exalted be His glory -- may grant all men that which is good. For he who is endowed therewith is the possessor of all things. The Great Being saith: The Tongue of Wisdom proclaimeth: He that hath Me not is bereft of all things. Turn ye away from all that is on earth and seek none else but Me. I am the Sun of Wisdom and the Ocean of Knowledge. I cheer the faint and revive the dead. I am the guiding Light that illumineth the way. I am the royal Falcon on the arm of the Almighty. I unfold the drooping wings of every broken bird and start it on its flight.

And likewise He saith: The heaven of true understanding shineth resplendent with the light of two luminaries: tolerance and righteousness.

O my friend! Vast oceans lie enshrined within this brief saying. Blessed are they who appreciate its value, drink deep therefrom and grasp its meaning, and woe betide the heedless. This lowly one entreateth the people of the world to observe fairness, that their tender, their delicate and precious hearing which hath been created to hearken unto the words of wisdom may be freed from impediments and from such allusions, idle fancies or vain imaginings as 'cannot fatten nor appease the hunger', so that the true Counsellor may be graciously inclined to set forth that which is the source of blessing for mankind and of the highest good for all nations.

At present the light of reconciliation is dimmed in most countries and its radiance extinguished while the fire of strife and disorder hath been kindled and is blazing fiercely. Two great powers who regard themselves as the founders and leaders of civilization and the framers of constitutions have risen up against the followers of the Faith associated with Him Who conversed with God. [1] Be ye warned, O men of understanding. It ill beseemeth the station of man to commit tyranny; rather it behoveth him to observe equity and be attired with the raiment of justice under all conditions. Beseech ye the One true God that He may, through the power of the hand of loving-kindness and spiritual education, purge and purify certain souls from the defilement of evil passions and corrupt desires, that they may arise and unloose their tongues for the sake of God, that perchance the evidences of injustice may be blotted out and the splendour of the light of justice may shed its radiance upon the whole world. The people are ignorant, and they stand in need of those who will expound the truth.
[1 Moses.]

The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage endowed with penetrating wisdom are the two eyes to the body of mankind. God willing, the earth shall never be deprived of these two greatest gifts. That which hath been set forth and will be revealed in the future is but a token of this Servant's ardent desire to dedicate Himself to the service of all the kindreds of the earth."

(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 167)

God bless.

Answer 2

You are probably thinking of Pascal. His argument is very flawed. He claimed that it was more rational to believe in God than not believe in God since there were far more benefits and far less costs if God turned out to exist or not exist. The biggest flaw in his argument is that it can be used to justify any belief.

I haven't read the book you're talking about, but it sounds interesting.

Yes, there is "philosophy of religion." I think most philosophy departments offer a course in it, and it covers a number of philosophical religious questions and thinkers.

Answer 3

Since faith is simply a belief in what one can not tangibly see, it's not difficult to have faith. We have faith in others, whether we want to admit it or not, for example, in traffic, we have faith that everyone knows amber means to slow down, and red means stop. A set of guidelines to live one's life by, well, that's not difficult to think of either, books like what you have described are a means of explaining things in laymans terms, so that is is much more easily understood by the masses. It takes all the work out of figuring things out. You know, a short-cut. And, since there is more than one way to skin a cat, figuratively speaking, there is more than one way to discount or support an argument. Hence, it is tough to make a statement that everyone agrees with, or than no one disagrees with.