The book "36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction" by Rebecca Goldstein explores the idea that belief in God may be largely irrelevant to the core of religious experiences. Goldstein suggests that emotional structures associated with spirituality can be experienced in secular contexts, indicating that the essence of these experiences does not hinge on the existence of a deity. This perspective highlights how individuals can find profound meaning and emotional fulfillment outside traditional religious frameworks.

In an appendix, Goldstein examines thirty-six arguments advocating for the existence of God and offers rebuttals to them. However, she posits that even a comprehensive debunking of these arguments would not significantly alter how people experience religion on an emotional level. This notion underscores her belief that the qualities and feelings derived from religious experiences transcend the existence or non-existence of a divine figure.