Politically charged Quote of the Day (and ... The Meaning of Life)

[Alex]

So it seems to me you don't accept it entirely on faith. You believe you have had experiences with show you that what you have faith in is true. You just can't share this evidence by its very nature.

I have never had any of these experiences. So when you say:

The whole basis for faith is allowing yourself to know that the spirit is there without needing to have the hard and fast evidence. It is a freeing experience to allow yourself to be all the evidence you need.

How do I do that and let in what you believe to be true but keep out the guy on Art Bell who had a dream that convinced him the pyramids were built by an intelligent mermaid-like species that is hiding at the bottom of the deepest parts of the ocean waiting until we're advanced enough to make contact.

To me, without the experiences you've had, they both seem equally likely. To me, the only way to sort through everything is to require some evidence (and yes, to ultimately rely on people I trust to evaluate evidence) and the scientific method for 400 years has proven best (in my view) as discriminating among it all.

So, once I have an experience where God talks to me and laid out the truth of the universe I'm sure I'll believe it. That is the nature of us. But the me-right-now will think the me-when-that-happens is probably delusional unless he can provide evidence.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

How do I do that and let in what you believe to be true but keep out the guy on Art Bell who had a dream that convinced him the pyramids were built by an intelligent mermaid-like species that is hiding at the bottom of the deepest parts of the ocean waiting until we're advanced enough to make contact.

To me, without the experiences you've had, they both seem equally likely.

From your point of view, totally. That's why "faith" is a personal thing.

I really dislike the word "faith" these days. Too many connotations. "Faith" used to mean a lot of good things, but these days, it tends to describe a disreguard of facts. Truthiness.

I've had my own spiritual moments, moments of connectivity, when I felt there was more at work here than I could prove even if I used both hands...but I'd never assume that anyone should feel as I do.

I do believe that this is one of those things that you can only find if you want to find it. Of course that proves nothing. It could be that "your mind lets you see what you feel you need to see, whether it exists or not" or "people are only able to see the light when they're ready". I am inclined to believe a mixture of the two. Now there's a working paradox for you.

Besides, I'd be disappointed in Alex if he went and had a religious experience.