OUR NEED TO BELIEVE: MORE THAN 140 WORDS ON 'LIFE OF PI'

It's been centuries now since science took hold in our culture and in that time religion has slowly given way to rational explanations of how things work. For instance, we understand disease is caused by bacteria or malfunctioning biological processes, not retribution from angry deities. Same goes for the weather and earthquakes and volcanoes. As we have investigated, we have gained understanding and, with it, the gods have receded. But not entirely.

A lot of atheists, people who have dispossessed themselves of quaint superstitious notions, are often dumbfounded by the persistence of religious belief, particularly in the face of cold, hard facts. Some religious hangers-on no doubt hang on out of ignorance. But it's a mistake to chalk it up solely to that. Religion -- the stories we tell ourselves and each other to explain the 'why' -- persists because the human need for these stories often transcends cold, hard facts.

So (semi-spoiler alert), when the factual truth is revealed at the end of Yann Martel's Life of Pi, fantastically brought to life by Ang Lee, and Pi asks "which story do you prefer?" he is really acknowledging the powerful importance of believing, not just knowing. In his mind, even the most devout follower ought to know the reality that Jesus wasn't born of a virgin and Moses didn't part any seas. But, for many, our hearts gain something from believing the story.

You might say, done properly, believing helps many become one with their own inner tiger.

Comments

[John Shannon]

'Just saw this last night and loved it so much.

I agree with the notion of faith/belief enriching our lives, but... as an atheist, I still believe that theocracy is always a threat and the temptation to exploit literalists will always poison any good that religion brings to the human spirit.

(In a perfect world.) I'd rather start from a "humanist" POV, and teach/learn about religions as a method of "philosophy" in human morality, than the "law" that so many religions demand. It's too dangerous. It may well yet destroy us all. (as fatalistic as that sounds.)

Life of Pi was beautiful though. Absolutely. I want to see it again.

:)

Happy Hanukkah Terry!