What is meant by 'cognitive sentences' in religious language?

Cognitive sentences in religious language refer to statements that can be evaluated for truth or falsehood. This means that these sentences make claims about the world or about reality that can be assessed against evidence or reason. For example, a cognitive sentence might be something like "God exists," which suggests a proposition that one can argue for or against based on philosophical reasoning or theological inquiry.

In the context of religious language, cognitive sentences play a vital role because they allow believers and philosophers to engage with the content of their faith in a way that can be analyzed, debated, and understood. The ability to determine whether a cognitive statement is true or false is what distinguishes it from non-cognitive statements, which express emotions or opinions but do not have truth value. Thus, cognitive sentences are foundational in discussions about the nature of belief, justification, and the meaning of religious claims.