The pontiff, in his address in Regensburg, argued that faith is a part of reason and should be seen as such. It seems to me that just the opposite is true - That faith is the negation of reason, since it denies the validity of logical argument and objective evidence in the formation of belief, which are the cornerstones of rational thought.
What do you think?
2006-09-17 13:44:01 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree with you. Here's how I see it:
Faith (wishful, magical thinking) is a substitute for evidence... and serves as the basis for 'belief'.
'Belief' is a substitute for knowledge.
faith + belief = willful ignorance and self-delusion
I'm glad that the Pope's remarks stirred things up, though... perhaps, as this episode plays out over the next week or so, it will lift the veil of political correctness, and bring some clarity with respect to where the world REALLY stands with religion.
2006-09-17 13:49:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It a creator exists, then it took a supreme amount of reason and rationality to create the universe and life. If God is reason based and rational, then why do you think people of faith are not?
I agree with this quote:
“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect had intended us to forgo their use.” -- Galileo Galilei
Next, if I start a business on an idea, on faith that it will succeed, does that make me irrational? Why did Einstein work all those years to try to figure out a unified theory. It was faith, and he was not irrational.
You do not seem to understand that people of faith are very logical and reasonable. My guess is that the bible and some of the stories in it are your hang-up. These issues are addressable, but, they are not main stream yet. The bigger issue is, is God real? That is what you need to determine.
Take care!
2006-09-17 21:05:11 · answer #2 · answered by Cogito Sum 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe you missed the point. The deepest reason and truth is the embodiment of God in our conscience. God is "Logos". Logos as I believe he applied the term, within it's 1st century post Platonic Hellenistic context is the fundamental structure from which humans form our philosophical understanding and conscience and similarly it is the Theological unit which is described in 1st John. I believe also he made another good point
when he described the self limiting "radius" Of a purely empirical
"scientific" approach to human knowledge. Most of the posts so far are committing the error of assuming either or positions when
this and also that propositions are more logically valid.
"Faith is the negation of reason"? is this your best definition of faith? if so you will not impress many with your intellect or knowledge. if not then by using your version of the meaning to justify your own position you have evidently lost your point.
2006-09-17 20:56:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The trouble with Reason is that when properly applied, it leaves a lot of blanks in our understanding. Some people are uncomfortable with these gaps in knowledge, and make up the answer. That is Faith.
2006-09-17 20:50:09 · answer #4 · answered by Skippy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Have you actually read what the Pope said?
Here is a link to the English translation of the Pope's controversial speech: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060912_university-regensburg_en.html
With love in Christ.
2006-09-17 23:30:29 · answer #5 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reason is a part of faith. God gives us the ability to reason, and this ability is based upon the knowledge that we learn through understanding him and our faith,
With that being said, the Pope is a tool of the devil.
Do not listen to him.
No Christian man has the right to deny any other Christian man church or the right to worship in a church.
Catholicism is not Christianity.
2006-09-17 20:50:52 · answer #6 · answered by the nothing 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Let's put a lid on this before it blows and people begin to think for themselves is what he is saying before he pontificates on any topic.
2006-09-17 20:47:49 · answer #7 · answered by macrominded 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the pontiff can't pontificate in peace what is the world coming to? :-)
2006-09-17 20:47:04 · answer #8 · answered by the last ninja 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the pope is wrong in saying that Islam brings evil as it is a minority that causes trouble
2006-09-17 20:47:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Given the choices & reasoning in your question, I cannot formulate an answer.
2006-09-17 20:50:18 · answer #10 · answered by Bad Cosmo 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋