What is the view that all religious truths are human and that only the material world exists?

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Study for the University of Central Florida REL2300 World Religions Exam with questions to test your knowledge. Engage with multiple choice and flashcards designed to enhance your understanding and readiness for the exam.

The view that all religious truths are human and that only the material world exists is known as Materialism. This perspective asserts that everything that exists is part of the physical, material world, and that any claims of the supernatural or spiritual realm are often seen as constructs of human culture and psychology rather than as objective realities. Materialists generally hold that our understanding of the universe and existence is rooted exclusively in the observable, tangible phenomena that can be measured and analyzed through science and rational inquiry.

This differs significantly from other views such as Functionalism, which focuses on the social roles that religion plays in society rather than denying the legitimacy of religious claims. Faith involves a belief in the unobservable or supernatural, which stands in contrast to the materialist stance. Creationism typically posits a belief in the divine origin of the universe and life, directly opposing the materialist view that dismisses supernatural explanations.