We all have the ability to reason, to figure things out logically based on observation, logic, and tested assumptions. This is the ability that gets us through life, enables us to learn and be productive, to solve problems and understand ideas. It is what has brought us human advancements and civilization, all the technology we enjoy and need every day to carry on our lives. Our capaity to employ intelligent thought is what separates humans from other animals and has allowed us to be the dominant species on the planet.
Why toss this aside and replace it with faith -- "Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence" according to dictionary.com? Yet, when it comes to religious belief, that is exactly what most people do. For the most part, people do not believe in extraordinary claims without strong evidence, but in religious matters, they do, and they are proud of it. A quick review of available evidence will tell you that there are numerous religions in the world, and at most only one can be correct, so what are the chances it's yours?
If you think the evidence for Christianity is better than it is for other religions, consider this: Before Jesus was ever born (if he existed at all), there were other gods in other religions that had similar characteristics. Walked on water, raised people from the dead, were resurrected themselves, died on a cross, born of a virgin, were the son of god, fed the masses from a few loaves of bread, etc., etc. What an astounding, remarkable, unbelievable coincidence that people told those stories about other people for centuries, then they actually happened to Jesus! There is no way you can believe that without abandoning reason altogether and choosing to believe the opposite of what your mind tells you must be true.
Why do most people choose faith, why have most people chosen it throughout history? I think the reason is that faith equals hope. I hope I will never die; I hope that when something bad happens, there is a reason, and it will all work out in the end; I hope that my life has a purpose; I hope my loved ones who died are not really gone forever; I hope someone is listening when I pray. The truth of life is not very cheerful; religion offers a more optimistic possibility, and we hate to let go of that.
Religion definitely is more optimistic. As an atheist, I can offer you only this when you die: It's over, and you are gone. You will never see your children or your grandchildren get older. Your time has passed, you're dead and that's that. And, as a bonus, unless you are Abraham Lincoln or some other noteworthy person, after a century or less it is likely that no one will ever think about you again.
So faith equals hope, but it does not equal truth. The very concept of faith is one we have to reject; that we should simply choose to believe wildly unlikely stories, rather than use our superior mental abilities to a least question and test them, is unacceptable. Religion cannot offer proof and so says "Just trust me", and people do. We don't make other decisions on such unquestioning trust, only decisions about the nature of the universe, right and wrong, what to teach our children, how to behave toward each other. Only some of the biggest questions we will ever face.
Faith is the problem.
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You're preaching to the choir here, so to speak. :p I prefer being an aetheist to being conflicted about religion. It is freeing to live in the truth. I have heard, however, that optimists live longer, are happier, and are more productive than realists. I wonder what that's like?
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