If something cannot be smelled, seen, heard, tasted, or touched, does it really exist? Believing that intangible things, such as these, exist outside of our own consciousness is known as mysticism. For some, this word is magical and holds a pure truth behind it. For others, you would be a fool to believe in such childish things. Mary Pat Fisher explains three important standpoints based on religion. These range from analytical perspectives, to the concepts of awakening ones inner self. Both are far from the same and can give any standpoint a run for their money in how religion should be perceived.
Since religion is something too complex and mystical in its own nature, it will be necessary to approach this discussion from all three of Mary Fishers perspectives. The three perspectives she discusses are as follows. Material perspective: humans invented religion. This takes an analytical and logical approach towards religion. There is no supernatural or alternate reality. It is a "what you see is what you get" approach. This can be very depressing for many, but it is important we approach this topic in order to gain a better understanding. According to the movie The Buddha, Story of Siddhartha, "One cannot be too clever, for to think he knows all, all other additional knowledge is lost." .
Fisher's second perspective is Functional perspective: religion is useful. What is religion doing specifically for the individual or society? This approach may come off as selfish since most religions are about having a caring attitude and performing acts of selflessness. But again, we are looking into the reality of what religion does from a psychological standpoint. After all, is taking care of one's state of mind really that selfish? How is one to express love to others if they don't even know how to love themselves? Fisher's functional perspective looks deep into human reasoning for needing an alternate reality to believe in.