Is logic compatible with religion?

Question

Any examples?

Is it me or are most theologists answers to almost every religious question to quote what they have been told rather than apply their own logic.

Maybe it was just harder to sell the 'good news book of logic'?

Answer 1

To believe in an almighty being for which there is absolutely no proof of existence is totally illogical, we may not have all of the answers about the beginning of our solar system, planet and life but there is plenty of proof to much of it, if there was a superior being, then why are so many bad things happening in the world when it should be in the power of that god to prevent it, the answer believers give to this question is that god moves in mysterious ways, well if he exists then he has been mysterious for too long, they cant use this excuse forever. CAN THEY?.


To AMDG.
THE UNIVERSE, AND ALL THINGS IN THE UNIVERSE, DEMAND THE EXISTENCE OF ONE, NECESSARY. INFINITE FIRST CAUSE.

THIS WE CALL GOD. Is the final line from your almost unending essay, all things in the universe do not demand the existence of one infinite cause, there probably are many causes for the existence of the billions of stars and worlds out there, and if your theory was correct, why would the infinite cause necessarily be a god of some sort, in fact the theory that god created everything is totally illogical, who do you think created your god? did he have a creator also, was this god a supergod? or did your god suddenly appear as if by magic, no the only logical theory is the scientific one, when you really think about it, in a modern world , why do we even contemplate the existence of a god? we should have long ago consigned that to history along with fairies, pixies, unicorns and father christmas, or do you believe in them also?.

Answer 2

Example:

A lot of people want to say that Jesus was just a good man, or a prophet. Using logic, this is not possible. Jesus says multiple times that he is God. That's the reason the Pharisees wanted him executed. So, if he weren't God, then he would have to be either a liar, or a lunatic. Neither of these latter options would be compatible with a good man or a prophet.

Simply put:

Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord.

He couldn't have been just a good man.

It is quite 'logical' to argue based on the Gospels in the Bible. They are authenticated literary documents of the time period.

Answer 3

I believe it is, yes. Logic is human-created though, for example there was a huge conflict in the Middle Ages among several forms of logic - scholasticism, Thomist, etc. Many people today still use Thomist logic, that of Thomas Aquinas one of teh two major Christian theologians of all time (St. Augustine with his Greek logical systems being the other).

I presume, however, that by "logic" you meant rationality.

Sure, it's compatible. For example, rationality will tell you that when I experience God there is a certain part of my brain that is active. If you limit yourself to the material world and rationality you can conclude that my experience of God is all in my head. However, I would argue that an active brain is expected given that I need to experience this and even if the experience weren't just received but was actually generated by the brain (impossible to tell for now) I would still contend that I am constructed to experience God and this is no surprise at all, you see? There is no reason to suppose that just because logic tells us something that is all there is to know or experience about it.

So religion is compatile with rationality - but only as long as we take the whole human experience, including all things irrational, to be of value as well. the maligning of emotion, intuition, the experience of being in love that I see around here is tragically anti-human. I am no robot, nor would I want to be. And on that account, my experience of life is rich beyond compare.

Answer 4

Logic and empirical evidence are two different things. Many things can be "proven" through logic, though logic doesn't always lead to the truth. For example, many years ago most people thought that the earth was the center of the universe, because their sense of logic told them so. It wasn't until much later that Copernicus was able to prove through empirical evidence that the earth revolved around the sun and not vice versa. Descartes sought to use logic to prove God's existence. Of course, not everyone agrees with his argument. However, no one has proven through empirical evidence that God exists.

Answer 5

Is it just me, or do most atheist answers to almost every religious question to quote what they have been told rather than apply their own logic.

If you study any kind of logics or philosophy, you will find that the same questions about God have been asks as far back as recorded history goes. Men have struggled to find answers for them for generations. The same arguments raised by atheist were being asking in the times of Plato or before.

Many excellent answers on the question of religion have also been found in that time. They have been recorded on passed on to each new generation so that they do not have to rediscover them.

Same what that each generation passes on knowledge of mathematics (which is as ancient as religion) or history, or language. Do you reject them because they were taught to you by someone else? Did you discover numbers, counting, addition, subtraction, etc, by your own thinking? Or were you instructed in them? Do you really have a clue what fractions and ratios are all about, or do you use repeat what you have been told?

Pay a visit to a library sometime, and look through the books in the religion section. It much surprise you how much wisdom and understanding there is in those old tomes.

Answer 6

Logic is the systematic application of reason to solving a problem. Religion is a set of (usually) dogmatic beliefs about supernatural ideas, persons or places. Logic has no place in dogma since logic requires throwing out of statements that are proven false. In dogma there is no "false" other than what the doctrine defines as false. And there is no system of applying anything to the doctrine. You either accept it or not.

Answer 7

Many times we are in a position - when it comes to dealing with matters divine - like a gold fish in a bowl. However much you jump you are still in that bowl only and do not get a picture of the universe beyond.
Perhaps we will understand some things better only after we leave this earth.........but till then, argue away.

Answer 8

Logic isn't even compatible to our own world. Is there a logical explanation anywhere for the orgin of the universe? Of course not, every answer just elicits more questions. The only thing we can agree on is that something that defies the man made parameters of logic is at the orgin of all things. As a Christian, I've found that "thing" to be God. Even if you don't believe in God, you don't have a better or more "logical" answer.

Answer 9

I don't think you really understand what logic is. Logic does not mean "your own ideas". Logic can be applied to any proposition, whether it's one revealed by God or one you made up yourself.

I also doubt how much theology you have actually read. If you think theologians don't use logic, try reading "Summa Theologica" by St. Thomas Aquinas.

Answer 10

Faith is even greater than religion or 'logic.' Neither religion or logic can grant the love and wisdom that work in accord with faith. With all the scientific marvels in the world for man to woo and flatter himself with, what good is it if he remains in full contempt for his brothers and sisters? Really?

What good is nuclear technology when out of hatred it's used to create bombs? What good is your i-pod if someone steals it from you or kills you while watching IMAX in the theater? What good is medicine when corporate greed keeps it from those who need it? And what filling (besides the bellies and pockets of the rich) purpose does modern agricultural methodology promulgate when due to social stratification and racism so many people are still starving? Logic has allowed for children to have swollen bellies so that greedy men can have swollen bank accounts.

What good is 'logic' when man is too foolish to use it for anything truly beneficial? If man is without morality his logic will always remain fruitless. For every step forward he takes two in the opposite direction. Like the impaired judgment of an alcoholic behind the wheel of a high performance vehicle he does more harm than good. How's that for logic?

It's as simple and logical as this; 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." The benefit to mankind would be enormous!