There is no denying the fact that Atheism is growing.. (priest, Muslims)

[Rafius]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

Faith is the assurance of things unseen.

Rather, faith is the absence of logic and reason. Logic and reason leads both you and I to conclude that it is extremely unlikely that leprechauns, mermaids and fairies exist. That same logic and reason leads me to conclude that it is extremely unlikely that gods exist. There are thousands of examples of primitive, superstitious, imaginary deities which Christians use simple logic and critical thinking to dismiss, yet they don’t seem able to use that very same logic and critical thinking with which they dismiss other superstitious nonsense....to dismiss their own superstitious beliefs. When it comes to your god, you discard that very same logic and reason that you have used to discard other supernatural entities, in favour of what you want to believe. 'Truth' is not among your criteria. Your criteria is to accept only what you have decided is true, despite having no support for those beliefs.

Your agenda is to pursue anything which might offer some hope of support for beliefs you've already adopted in the absence of support. You are unwilling to accept anything which demonstrates to the contrary of what you believe. You have adopted your idea of truth first and are now seeking support for that choice. The only "truth" you would be willing to accept is that which you already choose to believe. That which shows your beliefs to be wrong you refuse to accept, even when it is true. You brush aside the verifiable evidence in favour of 'faith'. In reality, faith is nothing more than refusing to recognize logic and evidence when it tells you something you'd rather not believe. Faith is simply the practice of ignoring the supportable in favour of a desired belief.

If you will only accept what you already believe to be truth, then you have closed the door to truth for yourself. Reality does not owe anyone anything. It will not change simply because you refuse to accept it. If you're really interested in truth, then you must accept it even if it is not what you wanted it to be. It won't change no matter how long or feverishly you refuse to accept it.

You can't accept truth only on your terms and expect to find truth. It just doesn't work that way.

[Horn of ‘83]

Originally Posted by Rafius

Rather, faith is the absence of logic and reason.

Faith
–noun

belief that is not based on proof

[Boxcar Overkill]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

Faith
–noun

belief that is not based on proof

I think that's a good definition of faith, but it may not go far enough.

For many Christians, faith is believing a proposition despite the evidence that shows its unlikely to be true.

[Horn of ‘83]

Originally Posted by Boxcar Overkill

I think that's a good definition of faith, but it may not go far enough.

For many Christians, faith is believing a proposition despite the evidence that shows its unlikely to be true.

When the Spirit of God lives in you, the evidence is overwhelming!

[Rafius]

A Hindu would say the same about Krishna.

[AxisMundi]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

True believers have no reason to be afraid of death. "To be absent from the body is to be present withthe Lord."

Yet they prey constantly for "salvation".

Seems to me that Christians are indeed quite concerned.

I would imagine Christians like Ted Haggert are EXTREMELY concerned.

[AxisMundi]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

When the Spirit of God lives in you, the evidence is overwhelming!

Circular argument fallacy.

[sanspeur]

I'm sure that the Christians here on this forum realize that Atheism is growing in leaps and bounds...It is very obvious.

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

When the Spirit of God lives in you, the evidence is overwhelming!

and smoking lsd can make you see a pink bunny with a basket, doesn't make it real.

[Horn of ‘83]

Originally Posted by Nea1

and smoking lsd can make you see a pink bunny with a basket, doesn't make it real.

I wouldn't know about that. I'm high on Jesus!