Religious Skepticism

Definition

This refers to doubting or questioning religious doctrines or principles. It doesn't necessarily mean disbelief but rather an open-minded approach towards religion.

Analogy

Imagine you're at a magic show. The magician pulls out all sorts of tricks - rabbits from hats, disappearing acts etc. While everyone else accepts these tricks without question because it's part of the show (like accepting religious doctrines), you as a skeptic might start wondering about how these tricks are done (questioning those doctrines).

Related terms

Agnosticism: The belief that it is impossible to know whether God exists or not; often associated with skepticism towards religion.

Secularism: The principle that government institutions should be separate from religion or religious beliefs.

Deism: A belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe. This concept is often associated with religious skepticism as it rejects organized religion and superstition.