Comment by Trent on How to Convince Me That 2 + 2 = 3 · 2007-09-28T03:23:09.000Z · LW · GW

I think the key is to look at religion in economic terms. Rational beings will maximize utility. To a scientist, it may seem irrational not to question every aspect about life and our existence. To a religious person, eternal questioning may seem like a waste of time. What is the difference to me, from a purely selfish point of view, whether or not God created everything and sent down a son/prophet/what have you? I can accept it as truth with no harm to myself, leaving my time free to pursue more productive activity - so why shouldn't I?

There are many people who convert from one religion to another, thus providing demonstrable evidence that the beliefs can be swayed given an appropriate change in utility function. Perhaps it for marriage or other social interactions, perhaps because a different set of beliefs carries more resonance ethically or logically.

As to the "monstrously insane and vicious God" you associate with Christianity, you (along with a good many Christians) are confusing Him with the Judaic God of the Old Testament. The whole point of Christianity (as I grew up with it) is that by manifesting Himself on earth God realized that the whole smiting people thing was passe.