@Dave Allen,
Dave Allen;135830 wrote:No difference at this point.Well, hence my use of tangible. If, on investigation, one of these experiences doesn't vanish on nearing it, and contains liquid with which to quench your thirst then it's of more tangible benefit.
Are their tangible benefits to beliefs in deities - I think there probably are - solace, community, easy answers to the big questions, an example to look up to, that sort of thing.
However - if you replaced that concept of deity with a cartoon monkey that you were convinced meant exactly the same thing what difference would it make?
Aside from possible ostracism from community I don't think it would make any difference.
I meant to ask how we can tell the difference between an hallucination and a veridical experience when we are having them. I know we can tell the difference afterwards.
