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3 Reviews
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 D-dave-superhero rated 24 months ago- Atheist Blogger Demolished by "Duh, It's Faith" Comment - Mon, Sep 19, 2005New York, New York, September 19, 2005Special to The Raving AtheistThe worldview of an atheist blogger crumbled into dust today after a savvy reader posted a compelling justification for religious belief: "duh, it's faith."How did I ever miss that?" cried The Raving Atheist, slapping his forehead in disbelief. "I can't believe that after more than a thousand posts analyzing and refuting every conceivable theological theory, it never occurred to me that some people might simply believe without any logic or evidence."The Raving Atheist said he originally thought he could overcome the commenter's objection with logic and evidence, but then realized it was just faith. "Plus, the reader described herself as `educated,' so she must have thought very deeply about the matter and have her reasons," he said. "Or maybe not."
- commerican rated 37 months ago
- Faith is not reality.
- abbynormal92243 rated 37 months ago
- From the page: "The worldview of an atheist blogger crumbled into dust today after a savvy reader posted a compelling justification for religious belief: "duh, it's faith."
How did I ever miss that?" cried The Raving Atheist, slapping his forehead in disbelief. "I can't believe that after more than a thousand posts analyzing and refuting every conceivable theological theory, it never occurred to me that some people might simply believe without any logic or evidence."
The Raving Atheist said he originally thought he could overcome the commenter's objection with logic and evidence, but then realized it was just faith. "Plus, the reader described herself as `educated,' so she must have thought very deeply about the matter and have her reasons," he said. "Or maybe not."
TRA said he also briefly wondered why faith couldn't be a valid justification for any belief, scientific, political, or otherwise, before realizing that religion was so important that it merited a special exemption from reality. "I'm going to have to change the whole focus of my blog, if not close it down altogether," he announced. "How could I possibly criticize people for basing their morality, if not their entire lives, on arbitrary notions untethered to anything approaching conscious thought?"
This made me laugh. I understand how frustrating it is to argue logic with most believers. The problem on the side of believers--Christians, anyway (have you ever noticed that followers of other faiths don't proselytize the way Christians do? It seems to be a compulsion.) --anyway, to a certain degree, it's silly to back up your stance with a text that an atheist doesn't believe in. On the other hand, the Word of God is "sharper than a two-edged sword." Still, I myself have difficulty with using it as an authority because it was written solely by men. No offense to you guys out there, but I believe there's a serious lack when the female perspective is not included.
I'm angry with God for what happened to those children in the Superdome in Louisiana. Doesn't it say in Isaiah that He will give His angels charge over us? When exactly does that apply?
If pure religion is taking care of widows and orphans, why wasn't God practicing that religion there? Or in Iraq, where so many natives have died?
Faith is a mystery. I don't mean faith in your partner, or your children, but faith in a deity. I wrestle with this myself, and I've been a follower of the Christ for a long time.
Here is what dictionary.com has for "faith":
"1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief. See Synonyms at trust.
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4. often Faith Christianity. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
6. A set of principles or beliefs."
My own faith is in the person of Christ (see #1). That's the only thing that's held up over the past years of questioning and exploring. I did some reading in Josephus (I confess I did not read all of it. It was way dry.) and all he wrote of Jesus (that I could find) was that there was a man who died and his followers claimed he'd risen from the dead. There's some speculation that Josephus was the man who was on the boat with Paul when it capsized. (I think he survived.) Did he write about that? (If anyone out there knows of other texts, please let me know)
I digress.
My point is that people who have not thoroughly dissected their own faith have no business arguing with people who have a logical, sound basis for not believing. If you don't know why you believe, shut up.
God doesn't need your help.
The best thing you can do is to live your life in such a way that they seek you out to find out where your peace and joy come from.
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