Reply #3: Is something believable because it seems to have a beneficial side effect? [View All]

[Silent3]

A parent tells a child to clean his room and do all of his homework, then Santa Claus will bring presents. The child did these things, and presents marked "From Santa" appeared under the tree Christmas morning.

Is this proof that Santa Claus is real? After all, the child believed, and the expected results of acting on that belief were fulfilled. Or is it more likely that the results (homework done, clean room, nice presents) are merely a side effect of the belief in Santa Claus totally unrelated to the reality of Santa Claus?

"my belief has brought me closer to attaining what I perceive to be a good life."

So, does this have anything to do with God being real, or is it just a side effect (one attainable many other ways) of belief, unrelated to the truth of the belief?

If it's just a side effect, can you really be happy with the idea of believing in things just because the act of believing itself produces desired results, totally unconcerned with the factual value of your beliefs?

Believe more, live better?