Lecture discusses doubt in religion

Doubt has been a prevalent factor in society over the past year. From uncertainty about economic and health affairs to last year's Oscar-nominated film, doubt has been a recurring theme. It was this theme that Jennifer Michael Hecht continued Thursday night during her Chautauqua lecture.Hecht, who currently teaches at the New School University in New York, came to Eastern to discuss "Inquires into Doubt." She has written books of poetry, history and philosophy. She talked about the topics in her book, Doubt: A History, which focuses on religious doubt.

"I wanted to tell a story that I already knew," Hecht said. "The history of doubt and of disbelief of religion has its own story."

Hecht gave several examples of famous doubters throughout history, including Epicuris, Job from the Bible and Thomas Jefferson.

"Religions are responses to atheism, [which is] created by those who said, 'I don't think so,'" Hecht said.

She also said that one of her main questions during research was how people came to rely so heavily upon religions. She talked about Plato's theory that religion held society together and then said humanity needed a way - i.e. religion-to define the undefinable.

"We're human - the universe isn't," Hecht said. "Religion makes us feel that the universe is human."

Hecht said that this need invariably sprouted from a desire to unveil the mysteries of life, namely morality.

"The conscience is as mysterious as anything anyone could invent. Religion was invented to mirror that," Hecht said.

According to Hecht's philosophy, God did not create morality-humans did. Hecht said she believed in humanism and people's ability to make a difference.

"While you are here, [life] is amazing, mysterious and strange," she said. "[After death,] we live on in each other in a profound way. The state of being human is rich, joyous."

Despite her conflicting beliefs with religion, Hecht said her purpose is to encourage human morality, but not convince people to hate religion.

"We've developed this tribalism, this us versus them . . . that has nothing to do with beliefs," she said.

Hecht also encouraged the audience to look at history's example and try to make a difference during their lifetimes.

"[Life] is the easiest, greatest adventure you can possibly go on," she said. "The historical record has a lot to teach us."

Eastern will host its last Chautauqua of the semester at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 in the Clark Auditorium where James McLurkin will discuss "The End of the World and Other Misconceptions: The Truth about Robotics." For more information, visit www.chautauqua.eku.edu.