At the The Dilbert Blog Scott Adams has been asking the cosmic questions and begun to reach some conclusions:
I categorize people’s reasons for believing this way.
Dumb Reasons
————————1. An authority figure told me it was true. (They all lie)
2. It’s written in a book. (So is Spiderman)
3. How else could reality come into existence? (Ignorance is not evidence.)
4. My holy book accurately predicts things (So does Moby Dick. It’s been proven.)
5. I was raised this way.
6. It’s just obvious that God exists, you stupid heathen.Slightly Better Reasons
———————————1. I talked to God and he answered. (The Mormon method)
2. I feel Jesus/God/Allah inside me.
3. My prayers are sometimes/often answered.Excellent Reasons
—————————1. I’m hedging my bets just in case it’s real.
2. Belief gives me immediate real-world benefits, socially, health-wise, and happiness-wise. And if it turns out to be true, that’s a bonus.
3. I have studied the historical and scientific evidence and concluded that there is plenty of reason to believe in God.