A possible relevant concept is efficiency.
In other words, will I have a better life
"believing" that the findings of science
are reality, or perhaps by believing in
god?

One of the hardest parts of life is the
feeling of uncertainty. For example,
nobody promises me that the sun will rise
tomorrow morning. Perhaps I should spend
this evening preparing myself for this
possibility - of living the rest of my
life in darkness? Why not? Isn't it
rational? Why not spend every day in
thoughts and actions designed to face this
possible disaster?

Since life is full of these uncertainties
(about nature, about the behavior of
people, ...) - there is a need for some
beliefs that will make life simpler and
help us concentrate on putting our
energies into useful purposes.

What is an efficient (useful) system of
beliefs?
1. It should be consistent with most of
our experiences.
2. It should give us a feeling of safety
in the world - some kind of explanation or
at least feeling secure, i.e., that
certain dramatic changes are not about to
happen, such as the sun not rising
tomorrow.
3. It should help us define some goals for
ourselves in life, in a way that will be
good for ourselves and the society in
which we live.

Religion has certain advantages as a
system of beliefs, and so does science,
but let's first discuss the principle and
then lay down the details.

Can we agree that both religion and
science are systems of beliefs, and
we can discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of each as a (partial) basis
for personal life and for society?

From (the last) summer night,

Leor.