More insight into religion: logical and emotional beliefs

[robvalue]

I think it is an error to try to understand the theist from the point of view of an atheist, from your starting point.  We all have different biases and past experiences which shape our inclination towards religion or away from it.  Many of these factors influence us subconsciously, so inspecting our conscious experience to explain the difference is not fruitful.  I liken it to being on different rivers on different continents, with the current taking each of you to a different destination.  You cannot get to their destination following the river that you are on, and they cannot get to yours.  There is no way to understand the other which isn't fundamentally flawed by the vast differences that separate your starting points.

Sure, but I have no choice except to not try at all! I do find many similarities in my thought processes. I don't think (religious) theists are so different that I can't possibly understand their mindset. It's just an irrational belief, after all. And I have had plenty of those myself. I've had some indoctrinated into me, in a manner of speaking.

I think I've made some progress from my initial conclusion which was, "They're nuts".