Does skepticism help with religion or does it not?
A skeptic is a person who needs clear, observable, undoubtable evidence- based on experience- before accepting any knowledge claim as true. Skepticism from the Greek spkeptestahi, "to consider or examine" is normally having any questioning attitude toward unempirical knowledge or beliefs/opinions stated as facts (Chapter 10 Introduction).
All religions are grounded on faith. Skepticism is having a questioning attitude towards any belief or opinion stated as facts. I was baptized in the Mormon church at the age of 8. At that age I didn't really have a say in what religion I wanted to be in, my parents just thought it was a good idea for themselves so they thought it was a good idea for myself as well. Growing up I didn't let my parents know I was doubting the church, because doubting the church just results in church leaders telling you to pray more, read the scriptures more and having your parents worry that you don't believe in the church. But with praying and scripture study, you can't find the facts of that religion. It wasn't until I was 18 years old when I told my parents I doubted the religion through out my whole life. It wasn't until then that I figured out that it's okay to doubt or question everything. That's what you're supposed to in order to know the truth of things for yourself.
I also experience this with my parents that have been believing in this church for 13 years and not doubting it once or questioning it. I'm sure there are other people like this that have believed in a church that they think is true but have not found the facts of why it is true.
I think skepticism does help religion because it allows the person to question their beliefs and the facts of that religion. Most kids that are baptized into a religion at a young age is not right because it prevents that child to ask questions of that religion before. Even adults, skepticism can really help with religion because before focusing your entire life on something that might or might not be true, they can get the facts down first and see what is true and what is not and making that life long decision.
Why do I think skepticism helps religion?
Because skepticism allows you to question anything and everything, so with religion it is really helpful to know about what is true and what is not, and getting your own knowledge or belief from questioning. Growing up I was never told to question anything and everything. I was just told to believe in a religion I was baptized in when I was 8 years old and if I did question or doubt it was meant as a "weakness". Skepticism helps you know your own knowledge claim of things like religion. Questioning throughout your life is what shapes who you are, what you know and what you believe.
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