Religious belief enhances in-group identification and social cohesion. It is the secret handshake which bonds the believers into a group which then can be wielded against other groups or individuals. The weirder and more counter intuitive the belief, the more firmly must the adherents adhere against all comers. At least the ones who are able to endure the cognitive dissonance between what they believe and what they observe.
Up to a point for most people. For many, the obvious reliability and useful products of methodolgical naturalism erode confidence in bronze age fantasies. Accommodation must be made, albeit grudgingly. So lots of Christians give ground, like the Catholics with evolution. Some try to absorb the invader of their halls of power by adopting but interpreting. The days of Genesis weren't days. Evolution formed the body but God installed the soul.
Some never reach that point, but feel that attack is the better strategy. Like the island campaign against the Japanese in WW II. They will be bypassed.
Up to a point for most people. For many, the obvious reliability and useful products of methodolgical naturalism erode confidence in bronze age fantasies. Accommodation must be made, albeit grudgingly. So lots of Christians give ground, like the Catholics with evolution. Some try to absorb the invader of their halls of power by adopting but interpreting. The days of Genesis weren't days. Evolution formed the body but God installed the soul.
Some never reach that point, but feel that attack is the better strategy. Like the island campaign against the Japanese in WW II. They will be bypassed.
So how, exactly, does God know that She's NOT a brain in a vat? 
