In consideration of this definition, faith certainly is nothing more than wishful
thinking, which gives the hope that “things not seen” exist. We seemed to
agree, though I could not get him to admit that. Perhaps it was the way in
which we atheists phrase the definition, or perhaps it’s our human reluctance
to admit ignorance. Like this pastor, many will put forth unsubstantiated
religious claims as good evidence used to justify their belief, like personal
experiences, miracles, and the “truth” of scripture; these, of course, deviate
from what we should consider good evidence. These religious claims are
subjective, misinterpreted observations meant to pad a deep-seated belief;
which any rational person should consider as bad evidence. Faith is the basis
of belief supported by problematic evidences.
Why It Must Go
Faith disparages the thinking capabilities of those it inflicts. It is amazing
that something of such little worth has such power in the mind of the willing.
Faith tells one it’s alright to pillage the villages of your country’s enemy, to
fit oneself with home-fashioned explosive devices and detonate the
contraption in a crowded building, to cast their homosexual child from the
family home, and so on and so forth; wherever those of faith feel their God
tells them to throw their ignorance. As Stephen Weinberg once said, “With or
without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people
doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.”
But not all inspired religious individuals commit acts of atrocity on behalf of
their faith – physical atrocities, I should say. Faith, by itself, is an intellectual
atrocity. It forces our minds to conform to fantasy rather than reality. It asks
of us to sacrifice the very thing that make us one of the greatest apes to
have ever lived; what truly separates us from the rest of the animal
kingdom. It does nothing to further our existence and better humanity.
Armed with unsubstantiated information, has human life ever prospered?
No. Progress comes from those who objectively reason when confronted with
issues.
When Faith Dies, Reason Thrives
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