As a man entered the café, he was greeted by another—neatly dressed, exuding quiet elegance—who was already seated with a reservation. “Thanks for coming,” the host said with a nod. The waitress approached cautiously, offering a respectful bow before retreating promptly as a steaming pot of tea was placed before the two special guests. Together, they inclined their heads slightly toward the delicate teacup. After a moment of silence, they straightened, and one man lifted the first sip, followed immediately by the other.
The man who appeared less assured broke the quiet. “What makes you different from the other ten thousand I know so much about?”
The other reached for his glasses with deliberate calm, sliding them gently to the left side of his teacup. “In many societies,” he began, “religious claims—no matter how implausible or contradictory—are shielded from scrutiny simply by being called ‘faith.’ Statements like ‘a spirit or god spoke to me’ cannot be disproven by evidence, yet they command immediate respect when rooted in tradition or spirituality.”
He paused, taking another sip before continuing. “In such contexts, critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and skepticism are often set aside, especially when the subject is sacred. From a rationalist’s view, this looks like collective irrationality: contradictory beliefs coexisting without conflict, unprovable ideas shaping laws and social structures, and children taught to suspend logic in religious matters while applying it elsewhere. Behaviors deemed delusional or hallucinatory in other settings are instead revered as sacred or holy.”
The other man nodded slowly, his expression unreadable, almost detached—as if deaf to the words yet deeply absorbed by their weight.
“This double standard,” the first man went on, “reveals not just social conditioning but a deeper psychological need. Humans are meaning-seekers. Religion offers narratives that soothe suffering, death, and moral uncertainty—realms where science rarely provides comfort.”
He leaned in slightly. “Belief fulfills emotional needs for belonging, love, and significance. Social pressure enforces faith, as doubt risks exclusion or worse. And institutions protect these belief systems because unquestioned faith consolidates power. What might seem like madness is, in truth, a coping mechanism woven into the fabric of human nature and culture.”
I caught a glance from the man with the glasses as he checked his watch, then carefully replaced them on his nose. The moment reminded me that it was time to leave. Stepping out into the rain-slicked streets, their conversation lingered in my mind, compelling me to record these thoughts.
Eternal Agora 