Essay Question:
What, in general, is a Naturalistic Explanation of Religion?
NER explains religious phenomena exclusively by reference to natural phenomena. If we can satisfyingly explain religion without recourse to belief in the supernatural, then there is little left to recommend belief in the supernatural.
Why would a successful NER provide evidence for atheism?
A successful NER would provide evidence that the universe is self governing without the control of a supreme being.
Explain each of the three criteria of a satisfying explanation.
Complete: accounts for all of the relevant phenomena(anomaly-free)
Economical: uses as few assumptions as possible
CommensurableL fits with our well-established beliefs
Explain Feuerbach’s NER, noting the different emphases of each of his two central books.
In feuerbachs first book his main thesis is that God is a thoroughly human creation, that man made God, not God man. Our concept of God is of human form. In his second book he claims that the ultimate psychological cause of religion is human egoism, or our overpowering desire for happiness.
How does Feuerbach respond to people who contend that their God is beyond all anthropomorphic concepts?
He says that someone who refuses to attach any definite attributes to their God is an atheist.
Illustrate Feuerbach’s view with at least one of his ethnographical examples.
He calls prayer nothing but “a humble command, a command in religious form”
The Essay on The God of Small Things Book Analysis
The God of Small Things Book Analysis Character: Esthappen, referred to as Estha, and Rahel are twins. Both are innocent children who are still learning their manners. When they grow up and separate, Rahel moves to America and gets married, and Estha leaves to go with Babu, their father who has left them. When he returns to Ayemenem, Rahel also returns because they have a special bond. Their ...
Do you find Feuerbach’s NER convincing?
I do not find the NER convincing
What are two objections to his theory?
One of his claims is that religion is caused psychologically by human egoism. However, most religious people will admit that the human mind is not able to fully comprehend every aspect of the universe. They believe in a creator that knows best for them and has sent messengers and prophets to convey his message. Atheists, on the other hand believe that everything on this earth will be explained eventually and that there is no limit to their knowledge. How can they claim then that religious people are afflicted by human egoism?
Another objection could be that God was created with human attributes. The fact is that no human being is perfect. And because of that something that is perfect, all-knowing and all-powerful cannot be human by definition. A God with comparable human characteristics ceases to be God.
How might Feuerbach respond to one of those objections?
Feuerbach might say that religious people are more egotistic because they think they have the purpose of life figured out and hold their noses down at atheists.
