Life of the Mind Part 2: Science Explains (away) Faith

It's common in atheist circles to dismiss religious belief three ways:

As evolution: Belief in gods developed as a survival mechanism in prehistoric and ancient times.

As sociology: Acceptance into early societies was contingent upon joining "in-groups" that practiced superstition and controlled people by appealing to the gods.

As psychology: Religion can be explained as a result of wish-fulfillment for a cosmic Father figure who oversees an otherwise chaotic universe.

What are we to make of such atheist claims? Four responses:

1. Partial agreement: False religion can be explained quite helpfully in the above three ways.

2. Disagreement: True religion, if such a thing exists, remains unaffected.

3. Fallacy: All three dismissals assume atheism as a starting point. In philosophy that's called "begging the question." Meaning, it's cheating.

4. Reverse the critique: Atheism itself can be explained in the same terms:

• As an emerging survival mechanism in God-believing society (evolution). 
• As a privileged "in-group" that condemns opponents, feels superior, etc. (sociology). 
• As wish-fulfillment for moral autonomy, avoiding feelings of guilt (psychology).

* * *

For Christians, developing the life of the mind is a free and rich experience.

While showing love and respect to our atheist friends (and opponents), we're under no obligation to play by their rules.

For further reading: see Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, ch 16.
Artwork by Steve Blake