I've heard this argument before but I don't get it. Could you please explain how it is a religious belief in particular or provide a pointer to where I can find out more? Thanks
I'm not sure if the argument you heard before is the same, but I'll try to clarify my angle.
For me, religion would be defined as something like "what any number of people generally do and expect themselves and each other to do, because of what they choose to believe, often with rather limited unambiguous evidence (i.e. in spite of the given evidence's allowance for vastly different interpretations)".
OC seems to indicate that they believe "typical" religions are not particularly concerned with finding things out-- that believers will simply chalk up natural mysteries as "something God does/did". Then those belief systems are seen as obviously inferior frameworks for describing reality-- such would not need to be studied or even recognized except as "somebody else's thing", and OC is satisfied with their current understanding of them. This has too much in common with those empty "explanations" for natural phenomena. At least, it's too easy.
Disregarding some explanations about the foundation of reality without knowing or needing to know the details, is also OC doing (or not doing) something because of what they believe, is also part of OC's private religion, by my loose definition above.
There is at least one traditional religion that also heavily promotes seeking overall correctness of information (in particular, it demands honesty), always gaining wisdom/knowledge/understanding, and always maintaining humility with a healthy grasp on one's limitations and ignorance. Anyone who "knows" that "religions aren't like that" might never find out. I hope they eventually have a crisis of faith.
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."
For me, religion would be defined as something like "what any number of people generally do and expect themselves and each other to do, because of what they choose to believe, often with rather limited unambiguous evidence (i.e. in spite of the given evidence's allowance for vastly different interpretations)".
OC seems to indicate that they believe "typical" religions are not particularly concerned with finding things out-- that believers will simply chalk up natural mysteries as "something God does/did". Then those belief systems are seen as obviously inferior frameworks for describing reality-- such would not need to be studied or even recognized except as "somebody else's thing", and OC is satisfied with their current understanding of them. This has too much in common with those empty "explanations" for natural phenomena. At least, it's too easy.
Disregarding some explanations about the foundation of reality without knowing or needing to know the details, is also OC doing (or not doing) something because of what they believe, is also part of OC's private religion, by my loose definition above.
There is at least one traditional religion that also heavily promotes seeking overall correctness of information (in particular, it demands honesty), always gaining wisdom/knowledge/understanding, and always maintaining humility with a healthy grasp on one's limitations and ignorance. Anyone who "knows" that "religions aren't like that" might never find out. I hope they eventually have a crisis of faith.
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."