Faith!

[mibn2cweus]

. . . ainnit just a euphemism, a glorified alternative or sanctimonious excuse for . . . ignorance?

[ludwig]

What about charity - shouldn't that get a mention?

[mibn2cweus]

Faith relies on it.

[Khandro]

@naomi, No, I don't think it's a home goal, you miss the point entirely; a viscious, unfeeling question was turned into something positive by his faith. Some people, Ken livingstone-like, may have punched the reporter on the nose.

[Khandro]

Sorry! apologies to Ken Livingstone. I was thinking of someone else.

[mibn2cweus]

Preying on someone, taking advantage of their vulnerability at a time of weakness is a sign of ones own weakness and lack of scruples. I would fully expect a punch in the nose (or worse) under similar circumstances.

[naomi24]

Khandro, //a viscious, unfeeling question was turned into something positive by his faith. //

No, I don't miss the point at all. You haven't thought about it rationally. You object to this question, and would rather it hadn't been asked - even though it is perfectly legitimate and posted in the right area - but your example does not work in the way you intended because it demonstrates that this question could prove beneficial to some.

[Khandro]

Look, I don't mind if a self-congratulatory, mutual admiration society, sits here all day telling one another how there is no such thing as God. But I draw the line when someone veiled in anonymity attempts to ridicule other peoples faith. Behind one of the main doors to Gloucester Cathedral is a small stone, crudely made cross, it was used to hold services in secret by men suffering unbelievable hardship in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, their faith in something helped them through, some survived and many didn't. Was their faith a "Sanctimonious excuse for ignorance ?"

[naomi24]

Khandro, like everyone else, you are entitled to express your opinions. You are not, however, entitled to draw any line that limits discussion here simply because the subject matter does not meet with your personal approval. If you disagree, then argue your point, but don't try to stifle debate for others just because you disapprove of its content. There are lots of things discussed in AB that I disapprove of, but I don't try to stop people from posting. I just stay away.

[mibn2cweus]

Is it only coincidence that those of one faith often find themselves victims of another's . . . if not their own?

Regardless, I would hope that in such desperate times they were not reading this thread. Times of duress are not necessarily the ideal time to remind people of where faith has brought them of in what way it has failed them . . . when it is already too late.

[Khandro]

And your answer to my question above is ...?

[naomi24]

In answer to your question, whilst I don't doubt that their belief helped them at that particular time, faith is based on ignorance - and it is often expressed with liberal helpings of sanctimony - so the original question is perfectly legitimate.

[mibn2cweus]

I hope faith never brings me to a point where I would be in any position to weigh the answers to such questions in the ineffable light of consequence.

[jomifl]

Khandro.. 'desperate times, desperate measures'

[lcg]

i like to think i am intelligent, proud, honest and just enough to make my own decisions about my moral compass. when i see people trooping into my local church, i can't but help think of sheep...baa x

[lcg]

and i like to choose where my charity goes...to the things that i deem important, not others, or the flagrant riches of the catholic church x

[Elderman]

The source of true faith. Faith based on accurate knowledge is a strong chain that binds man to God. Yet, as with any chain, it is only as strong as its weakest link. Therefore it is good to examine our faith, to test it, to see if it you hold up under stress or if it needs to be reinforced. Our faith in God is built upon a solid foundation, the inspired record of the Bible. True faith is far different from mere credulity or blind superstition. Faith does not mean believing in something just because others do. Faith is not governed by emotion or sentiments, nor is it held for selfish, personal reasons. Faith has as its groundwork logic, facts, reason and truth.

[ichkeria]

The trouble with these "debates" is that they, sadly, show AB at its worst. Everyone needs and possesses "faith" of some sort (not the religious variety).
But, if you are talking about the religious variety (and even if you aren't) , then phrasing the question in the terms that questioner does simply comes across as stone-throwing.

[jackthehat]

<<Faith has as its groundwork logic, facts, reason and truth.>>

That^ is precisely what Faith is NOT.
It is neither logical, factual, reasonable nor truthful.

[ichkeria]

Elderman isn't, if he will forgive, me, the best person to quote on this subject I feel :-)

[Elderman]

We shall see Faith in God’s Word and his promises has helped 1,000’s others. For example, it has helped many to overcome unchristian habits and customs, such as shady business practices, stealing, smoking, gambling, drunkenness, spiritism, sexual immorality, and false religious practices. The common factor in all such experiences was the obtaining of convincing evidence that Jehovah God exists, that the Bible is his written Word, and that his promises set forth in the Scriptures are trustworthy and will be fulfilled. Such faith can move mountains.