Inherent Problems Of Religious Language Flashcards
What’s the first problem with religious language?
Limitations of language for traditional conceptions of God
Why is the first problem a problem?
We cannot accurately describe God as he’s something we have no experience in within our physical world as God is abstract and metaphysical.
ie can’t describe God as infinite as infinite things do not exist in our world
This limits his existence as we cannot accurately communicate causing our language to be meaningless
What is the second problem?
Challenge towards sacred texts and religious pronouncements as intelligible.
Why is problem 2 a problem?
Devine language is often contradictory which is challenging to understand religious texts which undermines the purpose of communicating causing religious language to be meaningless
Example for problem 2
Old Testament = “eye for an eye”
New Testament = “love thy neighbour”
Why is interpretation an issue for problem 2
Statements can be interpreted differently due to contradictions so meanings can vary with interpretation
Therefore language isn’t accurately being communicated and is meaningless
What is the 3rd problem for religious Language
Religious language doesn’t share a base of common experience
Why is problem 3 a problem?
Communication of ideas cannot have a common knowable truth which renders language as meaning because language is experienced based
Why does problem 3 make communication with a non believer difficult
Words cannot be used elsewhere but the context of the religion due to empirical nature of religious language, as there isn’t a shared base of common knowledge
Example for problem 3
Experiencing enlightenment for a Buddhist is beyond everyday understanding/experience meaning there isn’t an established truth which can accurately be communicated as the majority of Buddhists haven’t achieved enlightenment
What is the final challenge to religious language.
Difference between cognitive and non cognitive language
Why is the final challenge a problem
Cognitive = objective truth ie Christians believe in the trinity
Non cognitive = conveying of emotion which depends on external factors to be checked to understand the validity of the statement
Religious assertions cannot be tested in the empirical world
So religious language cannot be factual
