[MD] Confirming the existence of God?

[John Carl]

Mark mentioned:

I have a hard time seeing the difference between philosophy and
> religion, probably because I don't know the rules.
>

John weighs in:

The art of philosophy is the art of making up  rules.

The craft of religion is that of following  rules.

This is probably the main reason most of us here  think metaphysics is
exciting and religion is boring.

In Royce's distinction, Religion and Metaphysics have in  common a
constructed belief about the way things are.  They differ in that everything
in philosophy is subject to criticism, analysis and reformulation.

He also points out that Religion is of value to Philosophy in that it tells
us something about Humanity's hopes, dreams and aspirations. and
Philosophy's value to religion is in its ability to "keep things grounded in
Reality" - to serve to inform religion about "the way things are."

But as always in philosophy, feel free to make up your own rules, subject to
criticism of course.

Take care,

John