When is a Religious Belief Delusional?

[downbeatplumb]

A mundane example would be if someone holds the opinion that it will rain all of next week. He cannot demonstrate that it is true other than referring to a weather report, which based on my experience, tend not to be all that reliable. Similarly, while at work I may be looking forward to having a cold brew from my fridge at home, but I cannot currently demonstrate to others that I do indeed have beer in my fridge. Neither case involves delusion.

I have a fridge and beer so I would tend to believe you unless you were a trump like liar. Trump lies so often that if he told me he was Trump on the balance of probablility it would be a lie. It has been measured that 60% of anything he says is false.

I truly believe that otherwise reasonable people can believe in any number of wild ideas, like Bigfoot and alien abductions. Neither can be shown to be demonstrably true. It is not out of the realm of possibility that a large undiscovered primate roams the forests of the Pacific Northwest and it is not inconceivable that a race of vastly superior intellect has managed to make their way to our remote corner of the universe.

It is not mad to think there might be not mad. But without proof to think there is, is delusional.

That seems besides the point. Very few things in life are certain and religious beliefs are no exception. On that we can agree. Merely having strong convictions is not reason to consider them delusional.

But god is not only "not certain" but is also extremely unlikely to the point where I find the idea absurd.

I know of no clear demonstrations showing that God does not exist. However, there are findings that undermine specific reasons for believing in God or that certain doctrines are contrary to current findings.

I know of no reason to think that a god is likely. Or even a very good description of what a god is.

So I pose the following question to you: If you can show me why any of the Greek gods are false, then please do. I'll be happy to use your own reasons and explanations as to why the Abrahamic god you follow is also false. 

That is unnecessary. The powers generally attributed them have largely been undermined, such as causing the change of seasons, or that they set constellations to commemorate various heroes, etc. I would say those attributions are demonstrably false. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible that the Greek gods do exist, in some lesser way, but even if they did I would still consider them contingent beings not worthy of the title of God. That said, I would not consider the ancient Greeks delusional for believing in them.

I would.