Wy do Some Unbelieving Priests Stay in the Church?

This paper by Daniel Dennett deals with an issue that I've long wondered about. Educated priests and ministers have been instructed in the historical inaccuracies and logical fallacies of their religion, yet they do not share this knowledge with their congregations. I've often wondered, first, how they can reconcile their own faith with their knowledge of reality. And, second, why do they so often perpetuate falsehoods to their followers?

It was my study of the bible and the history of religion that directed me to becoming an atheist. I had intended to become deeply knowledgeable about Christianity in order to defend it against skeptics, but ended up becoming a skeptic myself.

I've often wondered why I came to these conclusions, while other educated people did not. Was I missing something? Could they see something that I did not?

Obviously I could be in the wrong, but at this point in my life, I still don't think that I am. The more I talk to theists (of all degrees and types), the more I'm convinced that they are just not assimilating reality. Many, like some of the priests mentioned in the paper, see through the facades, but just don't want to take that last step into unknown territory. They think that there is some good that can come out of faith. For other people, particularly in South, church is such a part of their culture that denying faith would be like denying one's ancestry. So they go through the motions, maintaining some belief, perhaps, or just trying to not think about it.

Anyway, I found Dennet's paper to be very enlightening, and I hope that more people read it.

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If you enjoy going down the rabbit hole of self-delusion and ignorance, read the comments on the article.