Do the Religious really believe what they claim to? And is this belief comparable to a belief in something physical, for example that their brother exists? Or that the belief that Heaven exists is the same as the belief that Europe exists?
I'm not actually sure whether we yet understand beliefs from a scientific point of view. I also don't think we can yet determine if someone really believes something, or whether they just claim to.
It might be that belief as a result of indoctrination and fear is different to my belief that, for example, Europe exists. To me, the belief that if you don't believe in God you end up in Hell makes zero sense, as the moment you don't believe in God, you no longer believe in Hell. However if belief through indocrination and fear is somehow different, it may make more sense.
Another thing that I think distinguishes types of beliefs is the deliberate avoiding of a counter-view. Many religious people actively avoid viewpoints that differs to their own. They are almost scared that someone will stop them believing. Again, this is different to my view that Europe exists. I'd love to talk to someone who argued that Europe doesn't exist. I would find it zero threat. If someone ever did present evidence to the contrary, I would find it very interesting.
I'm not claiming any particular viewpoint, as until it is understood and testable we can't know for sure. However the testimonies of the ex-religious on here may provide a starting block, so I'd be very interested in their opinions on whether their beliefs were different to those in physical testable things.
I'm not actually sure whether we yet understand beliefs from a scientific point of view. I also don't think we can yet determine if someone really believes something, or whether they just claim to.
It might be that belief as a result of indoctrination and fear is different to my belief that, for example, Europe exists. To me, the belief that if you don't believe in God you end up in Hell makes zero sense, as the moment you don't believe in God, you no longer believe in Hell. However if belief through indocrination and fear is somehow different, it may make more sense.
Another thing that I think distinguishes types of beliefs is the deliberate avoiding of a counter-view. Many religious people actively avoid viewpoints that differs to their own. They are almost scared that someone will stop them believing. Again, this is different to my view that Europe exists. I'd love to talk to someone who argued that Europe doesn't exist. I would find it zero threat. If someone ever did present evidence to the contrary, I would find it very interesting.
I'm not claiming any particular viewpoint, as until it is understood and testable we can't know for sure. However the testimonies of the ex-religious on here may provide a starting block, so I'd be very interested in their opinions on whether their beliefs were different to those in physical testable things.
