What counts as evidence in philosophy of religion

Philosophy of religion is the philosophical examination of the central themes and concepts involved in religious traditions. These lessons consider what counts as evidence for God and help readers understand different ways of thinking about reasons for religious belief. They follow the question through themes of faith, experience, reason, and argument.

2 articles, 1 video, 1 book · about 1 hr 52 min of reading and viewing

The reading path

1. Read
   philosophy of religion · Wikipedia · 41 min read

   In philosophy of religion, Alvin Plantinga and other reformed epistemologists argue that religious beliefs are "properly basic beliefs" and are not irrational even though they are unsupported by evidence. They hold that some beliefs must be foundational rather than based on further rational beliefs. Karl Barth, a Protestant theologian, argued that religious believers have no need to prove their beliefs through reason and rejected natural theology, the view that reason can establish religious truths. According to Barth, human reason is corrupt and God is utterly different from his creatures, so religious knowledge can come only from God's own revelation. Natural theology includes attempts to provide proofs or arguments for God's existence, one aspect of the natural theistic project. This strand attempts to justify belief in God by independent grounds.

2. Read
   Philosophy of Religion | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy · iep.utm.edu · 60+ min read

   Religious realists hold that their beliefs are about what actually exists, independent of the people who hold them. Regarding the claim that religious beliefs lack rational justification, some realists agree, but fideists claim religion is about faith and trust, not evidence.

3. Watch
   

   Reasoning About God | Big Think · YouTube · 9 min watch

   Dominican Friar Fr. Thomas Joseph White discusses the spiritual importance of reason and whether rational approaches to spirituality may lead to doubt.

4. Book
   

   The God Delusion · Bookshop.org

   The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins examines God in different forms, criticizes major arguments for religion, and argues that religion fuels war, bigotry and the abuse of children.

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