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Philosophy Talk: What Is Religious Belief?

Is believing in God different from believing in the tooth fairy or Santa Claus? 

Many people profess to believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing, benevolent God. Yet psychological data shows that people often think and reason about God in ways contrary to their professed religious beliefs. So, are these so-called religious beliefs genuinely held? Or are “believers” just playing an elaborate game of pretense? Is there a difference between ordinary factual belief and religious belief? And what role do people's religious credences play in shaping their social identities? Josh and Ken get real with Neil van Leeuwen from Georgia State University, author of Religion as Make-Believe (forthcoming).

Join the conversation LIVE this Sunday 5/05 by calling 1-800-525-9917, or catch the re-brodcast Tuesday 5/07 at 12 noon.