The use of the word "belief"

[BananaSlug]

Faith is not belief without evidence, it is trust without reservation.

My dog has faith in me.

Actually both definitions can be used, but I'll stay with the second for any faith I have.

Agreed. "Faith" has multiple definitions, but in according to religious faith, I'll go with the first. Accordingly, the first definition works since many creationists state it takes as much "faith" to believe evolution as it does to believe in creation.

 

[3sigma]

Faith is not belief without evidence, it is trust without reservation.

In the religious context, faith is a euphemism for gullibility, misrepresented as a virtue.

 

[BananaSlug]

In the religious context, faith is a euphemism for gullibility, misrepresented as a virtue.

I wouldn't necessarily say gullibility. I think it faith stems from a need to have a reason for why things happen. It could also stem from a fear of when we die, it's over. When I first lost my faith I had struggles dealing with the fact that when I die, that could be it for me. Of course I would rather believe that there is an afterlife, there is a sense of relief to know that you will be able to see your loved ones and continue being.

In a world of increasing scientific knowledge that dispels many religious beliefs, most religious groups are clinging to their faith more than ever.

 

[3sigma]

I wouldn't necessarily say gullibility.

Would you prefer ‘credulity’ rather than ‘gullibility’? Credulity is readiness to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence whereas gullibility is the ability to be duped easily. Religious believers are certainly credulous, but I would say that those who believe plants and animals can talk, the world was created in six literal days, there was a global flood sometime in the last 10,000 years or a man can walk on water and come back to life after being dead for three days are more than credulous: they are gullible.

I think it faith stems from a need to have a reason for why things happen. It could also stem from a fear of when we die, it's over.

I agree. I think religious belief is the result of insecurity and credulity. It is driven by fear and anxiety over the unknown—the ultimate expression of which is fear of death—coupled with a readiness to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence. Religious believers allow their emotions to override their reason, which is why it is a waste of time attempting to reason with them.

 

[BananaSlug]

Would you prefer ‘credulity’ rather than ‘gullibility’? Credulity is readiness to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence whereas gullibility is the ability to be duped easily. Religious believers are certainly credulous, but I would say that those who believe plants and animals can talk, the world was created in six literal days, there was a global flood sometime in the last 10,000 years or a man can walk on water and come back to life after being dead for three days are more than credulous: they are gullible.

I would say "credulity" fits better. There are many Christians I know that are certainly not gullible despite their religious beliefs.

I agree. I think religious belief is the result of insecurity and credulity. It is driven by fear and anxiety over the unknown—the ultimate expression of which is fear of death—coupled with a readiness to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence. Religious believers allow their emotions to override their reason, which is why it is a waste of time attempting to reason with them.

Though they have their minds made up, I come here for the lurkers who may be undecided.

 

[3sigma]

I come here for the lurkers who may be undecided.

Indeed. I often wonder what they think of the arguments from both sides. I guess it depends on whether their emotions override their reason or not.

 

[AV1611VET]

You guys tell that to the Islam, whose leader used faith to whip the Muslims into one well-oiled, nearly unstoppable fighting machine.

I can just see their enemies as the Muslim approach:

"Here come those emotionally-insecure, gullible, believe-anything, afraid-of-dying, followers of that guy Mohammad. Let's yell 'BOO!' and watch'em run! "

... just before they're scattered to the buzzards.

 

[Nathan Poe]

You guys tell that to the Islam, whose leader used faith to whip the Muslims into one well-oiled, nearly unstoppable fighting machine.

Jealous much, AV?

 

[AV1611VET]

Jealous much, AV?

Nope --- God created this country for two reasons:

1. Provide a safe haven for the Jews.*
2. Assist the Jews while prophecy is being fulfilled.**

* Our Bill of Rights insures no pogrom will occur legally on U.S. soil.

** !!! JERUSALEM !!!

 

[Nathan Poe]

Nope --- God created this country for two reasons:

1. Provide a safe haven for the Jews.*
2. Assist the Jews while prophecy is being fulfilled.**

* Our Bill of Rights insures no pogrom will occur legally on U.S. soil.

** !!! JERUSALEM !!!

And you have no problem with being used by a God who's clearly decided that you're nothing but a useful tool?

 

[MoonLancer]

Nope --- God created this country for two reasons:

1. Provide a safe haven for the Jews.*
2. Assist the Jews while prophecy is being fulfilled.**

* Our Bill of Rights insures no pogrom will occur legally on U.S. soil.

** !!! JERUSALEM !!!

Thats an interesting idea. don't fool yourself into thinking that this is a christian belief or in the bible though.

 

[Skaloop]

Nope --- God created this country for two reasons:

1. Provide a safe haven for the Jews.*
2. Assist the Jews while prophecy is being fulfilled.**

* Our Bill of Rights insures no pogrom will occur legally on U.S. soil.

** !!! JERUSALEM !!!

Are you sure it wasn't to make a safe haven for witches?

!!! JERUSALEM !!!

Or discount prices?

!!! JERUSALEM !!!

Or beer?

!!! JERUSALEM !!!

 

[BananaSlug]

The OP was answered within the first few pages. It seems pretty useless to get it back on track.

 

[Doveaman]

Faith is belief without evidence.

Faith is evidence of belief.

 

[Split Rock]

It takes more faith to believe in evolution than it does the Bible.

You continue to assert this, simply because your little paradigm (which you made up) demands it. Why have you yet to convince anyone else here?

 

[AV1611VET]

You continue to assert this, simply because your little paradigm (which you made up) demands it. Why have you yet to convince anyone else here?

Like I said before, I've only been here [almost] five years now.

I've still got another 115 to match Noah's record.

And for the record, you don't know how many times I've had people PM me and invite me to their site to debate for them.

(Which I respectfully decline.)

 

[Nathan Poe]

Like I said before, I've only been here [almost] five years now.

I've still got another 115 to match Noah's record.

And you'll fail as badly as he did -- albeit for different reasons.

And for the record, you don't know how many times I've had people PM me and invite me to their site to debate for them.

(Which I respectfully decline.)

I don't know, but I'm thinking of a number somewhere between nil and zilch.

 

[Nathan Poe]

Faith is evidence of belief.

How so? Are you saying it's impossible to have faith in something that's not real?

 

[Split Rock]

Like I said before, I've only been here [almost] five years now.

I've still got another 115 to match Noah's record.

And for the record, you don't know how many times I've had people PM me and invite me to their site to debate for them.

(Which I respectfully decline.)

How surprising... once again you compare yourself to Noah. How about Moses next?

 

[Nathan Poe]

How surprising... once again you compare yourself to Noah. How about Moses next?

Nah, he's already done that -- and Christ would be too obvious.

Makes you wonder what other biblical figure AV will place himself on the same level as? Perhaps Elijah?