Religious skepticism

Religious skepticism is the philosophical application of skepticism to religion. It either concludes that belief in religion is not justified or that specific beliefs are not justified.

All arguments for and against God, and each religious doctrine are usually taken into consideration.

The opposing view is that the evidence is sufficient to justify religious belief.

Criticism

Doubt is wrong

Many religions consider doubt as sin. James 1:6-8:[1]

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

See also Romans 14:22-23. [2]

In Islam, Qur'an 49:15 [3]:

"The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah . It is those who are the truthful."

Skepticism does not apply to religion

Believers also base belief of faith which is independent of evidence. Heb 11:6:

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Some argue that religion is a nonoverlapping magisteria and skepticism is not applicable.

See also

• Evidentialism
• Atheism
• Agnosticism
• Arguments for belief
• Arguments against religion

External links

• Dave Criddle, Is doubt a sin?