New York Times columnist Ross Douthat makes a compelling case for the role of faith in modern society in his latest work, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious.
The author presents scientific and philosophical arguments to support religious belief while encouraging readers to explore faith regardless of their starting point, emphasizing its significance in providing purpose and addressing existential challenges in an increasingly secular world.
“The theme of this book is encouragement: to urge people toward religion generally, to suggest that it’s better to start somewhere even if it isn’t the place I would start, out of a trust that God’s providence will ultimately reward all sorts of efforts and enfold all manner of sincere beliefs,” writes Douthat.
Douthat’s argument draws on scientific concepts, particularly anthropic coincidences in physics. He notes that the universe’s fundamental forces appear precisely calibrated for life. He points to the cosmological constant, which has a remarkably precise 1 in 10 to the 120th power chance of occurring randomly.
The author also explores philosophical concepts like panpsychism, suggesting that consciousness and mentality are fundamental aspects of reality, aligning more closely with theistic worldviews than materialistic perspectives.
Douthat delves into mystical experiences, such as self-revelatory feelings of being “one with the universe” or sensing the soul’s immortality. Such experiences may occur in connection with practices such as prayers or meditation or possibly even the use of psychedelics.
Other types of mystical experiences he explores are more God-centered, such as “the person having the experience is left with no doubt that Something is looking at them or pressing into and through them,” as he describes it in his book.
A fourth type of spiritual encounter he discusses includes unexplainable happenings, such as miraculous healings, hauntings, and exorcisms.
The author suggests that exploring a religious life can lead to a more meaningful existence.
