Religious beliefs, religious attitudes Michael Lacewing enquiries@alevelphilosophy.co.uk © Michael Lacewing

The religious ‘hypothesis’ Is ‘God exists’ a hypothesis? Empirical statements are capable of being false; the meaning of the statement is connected to this. What circumstances or tests would lead us to atheism? Not a hypothesis, but direct experience of God; cp. ‘This is a book’ But the same test applies

Is the test correct? A statement can be empirical without us knowing what experiences would show that it is false. ‘God exists’ may help explain experience - it is tested not directly by experience by philosophical argument. But philosophy is not what gives ‘God exists’ its meaning.

Does ‘God exist’ state a fact? Not tested against empirical experience Not purely intellectual Theism not acquired by argument or evidence Religious ‘belief’ is an attitude or commitment, towards life, others, history, morality… a way of living.

Objections Different religions can prescribe similar ways of life while arguing for different beliefs about God Orthodoxy (right belief) has been thought very important What supports or justifies the attitude if not beliefs about how things are? Perhaps religions distinguished by their stories But stories don’t justify commitments This approach makes religion too subjective

Wittgenstein on meaning To understand language, we must understand how it is used. Compare uses of language to ‘games’ - rules that allow or disallow certain moves/meanings Surface grammar v. depth grammar ‘The bus passes the bus stop’ v. ‘The peace of the Lord passes all understanding’ Asking your boss for a raise v. asking God for prosperity Language is part of life, a ‘form’ of life

Wittgenstein on religious belief So religious language takes its meaning from religious life Its surface grammar looks empirical, but its depth grammar is very different God is not a ‘thing’ like any other ‘a religious belief could only be something like a passionate commitment to a system of reference. Hence, although it’s a belief, it’s really a way of living, or a way of assessing life. It’s passionately seizing hold of this interpretation.’ (Culture and Value, §64)

Implications The ‘Last Judgment’ is not a future event Prayer is not asking to be given good things Talk of ‘God’ only makes sense in the context of religious belief - God does not ‘exist’ independent of belief in God Religious belief cannot be criticized by facts and ‘evidence’, although it must make sense as part of human life

Objection This interpretation contradicts what most religious believers believe! Suggestion: religious language is both factual and expressive