Belief in Belief

An interesting article from the LA times yesterday.

Americans overwhelmingly believe in God and consider religion an important part of their lives, even as many shun weekly worship services, according to a national survey released today that also found great diversity in religious beliefs and practices.

Ninety-two percent of those interviewed for the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey said they believe in the existence of God or a universal spirit, and 58% said they pray privately every day. But California, like other states along the country’s two coasts, resisted the prevailing national tendencies.

Once again I go back to Dennet’s arguement in Breaking the Spell that more people believe in belief than actualy believing. I wish polls were more diverse in their questioning and Dennet himself admits it would be a confusing poll to execute. I’ll look forward to more reports about understanding religion as a natural phenomenon. Keep up the good work Templeton Foundation

While PZ Myers complains (and right should) about the objevtivity of this pole it really doesn’t matter. The outcome doesn’t really suprise me. A more interesting topic should be Dennet’s new post at Secular Philosophy.  A shame I can’t find Lord Robert Winston reply.  While the arguement Dennet makes isn’t new to anyone familiar with his works, I have yet to find an adequate response to his questions. Where are you Christian apologetics?

Speaking of apologetic works, I read through Mere Christianity this weekend. I was severly disappointed with C. S. Lewis’s work. It seemed far more compelling three years ago.

Maybe Francis Collins can explain to us, again, why morality comes from God?

I found an interesting quote from him earlier while trying to decide if I wanted to order any more of his books on Amazon

“God is most certainly not threatened by science; He made it all possible.” – Fancis Collins

I do become dismayed when people speak of God on such anthropomorphic terms.  The disparity between the scholarly community and the average believer is almost mystifying to me.

-More thoughts on all of this later.