"Religious faith not only lacks evidence, its independence from evidence is its pride and joy" - Thoughts?

Question

The Quote is from Richard Dawkins.

(I am an atheist)

RosieC, beautiful sunsets happen because the sun sets and it's beautiful - thazzall!

Answer 1

Actually, his basic premise is false, as I shall attempt to explain:

It's more accurate to say that the evidence is subjective, not objective.

Yes, there is no direct objective evidence. People acquire evidence about religion in a subjective, personal way and those who haven't had this kind of experience rightly question it.

So I wouldn't agree at all with the statement by Dawkins that "it's independence from evidence is it's pride and joy". It's pride and joy is that it has actually had a highly personal and subjective experience that has provided evidence that satisfies that person.

I understand the skepticism of those who have not had an experience of this kind. What I don't understand is how they can deny the existence of something purely because they haven't experienced it.

One problem between the two camps (believers and non-believers) is exactly this. Believers have had that subjective proof which satisfies them. Non-believers have not and therefore generally don't understand the nature of this proof.

Skepticism is fine. Denying the possibility of something that one has no experience of is not, I feel.

For myself, I want the truth - and feel that I have found some measure of this. I arrived where I am today by being open to any and all possibilities; I feel this is a vital starting point for anyone who genuinely wants to know the true nature of our existence.

(I am a Christian)

Answer 2

Faith per se as the very definition of the term entails is the belief for the lack of evidence. But religious faith does have a lot of physical manifestations to substantiate its existence . In other words to not acknowledge the existence of God is frivolous, and irresponsible.


There is factual evidence to the existence of God. Look around you. Look at the wonders of the earth. There has to be a Supreme Being, a Creator, or a Great Scientist to invent something as complex and totally beautiful as the earth and mankind. Why is there an order of things? Why does the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening? Why don't the various planets collide with each other in the galaxy? Look at the magnificent sunsets. Look at the kaleidoscope of colors in flowers, and the meadows and the trees.

Throughout my whole life, I'm in constant awe as to how complex our physical human body is. In my nursing education, and even today, I'm bewildered as to how all these systems in the body work and coordinate. How did man come about? What makes a person tick.? Who dreamed up a complex network of nerves, cells; and body organs ? Who's responsible for the creation of the analytical; logical .and problem-solving human brain?


Ignorance serves no purpose There is no "pride and joy " for disbelievers.What a fallcious statement!. Positive aspects such as "pride and joys" can not be used to validate some negations. The human mind should be humble enough to accept and acknowledge the existence of God. and his .........Creator.


Richard Dawkins, the ethologist and evolutionary biologist who put forth the theory of the selfish gene is clearly an atheist. A lot of scientists are very intelligent. They study a lot. They as scientists always insists on facts. Because they think a lot ; eventually they come to the conclusion that they are super human beings. They think they are far better off than God Far beyond their scope of understanding, and knowledge; they eventually come to the conclusion ; that there is no God. They don't realize that without God; they wouldn't be in existence today.

Your very own existence, atheist or not, flesh and blood is a living testimonial to the existence of God. If you can't comprehend and accept that ; you certainly are deemed to be arrogant. and subhuman. Do you feel superior above your Master?

I'm not referring here to blind faith but to scientific and cognitive faith.

In rebuttal to your comments:

Thanks for agreeing with me that sunsets are beautiful. But the question prevails. WHO created the sun.?

I was suppose to the very first to answer your question. But because of my lengthy answer, a lot of people beat me to the punch. But I feel honored that you singled mine out to comment on.

Religion is a very controversial issue and a very personal matter. You can not go thru life without some sort of faith or belief. Even the great Einstein believed in God. There is evidence to this. fact. It's just that science sometimes is not compatible with religion. As science wants proofs and facts. Science is not static. Even medicine is not an exact science. Religion has proven the existence of God. Jesus, Our Lord is real. He died on the cross for us. He performed a lot of miracles. There's no negating that fact that Jesus, Our LOrd and God was here on earth at one time.

I hope some people will see the truths- I speak and give me thumbs- up for my answer. Not that it makes any difference. Let your conscience be your guide.

This is a rebuttal to The Truth ( your screen name reeks of arrogance and sheer stupidity) . You really sucks! What qualifies you as the truth.? Know that you violated every rules of a good debate. Arrogance defies logic You want to see arrogance?. Look in the mirror! You lowlife! I took Philosophy in college. Plus you are a sore loser. Bet you gave a thumbs -down rating to my answer. Such a cowardly act! Suits a real PIG! I didn't and usually don't rate answers. Try thinking and presenting your case with facts not with your BALLS!


Boy, do we have some reading comprehnsion problems?. In reference to " the pride and joy" Pls don't give me credit for that. . The asker brought up that comment. not me, you JERK! All I did was rebut it. Now, if you are so LOGICAL as you claim....... then, why are you an atheist? Such a mental loss or a misfit!11111111 I guess it takes all kind. God bless you!

Answer 3

Faith is just the first step. I don't believe in blind faith as
faith without works is dead. And works is demonstration of spiritual power. Which anyone can do, as everyone has a spirit within, and can easily experience that spirit for themselves.

Answer 4

true, but wonderfully spun. faith stems from our perception of our environment. i can argue that it takes as much faith to believe in god as it does to not believe in god. to an athiest the world is evidence to the improbable factor that existence could not stem from nothingness. however, it is a basic component of athiestic theory that the world did stem from singularity, a snowball effect of cause and effect. to a christian the world is evidence to the improbable factor that the complexeties of existence could not stem from chance. it is also a basic component of christian belief that the world stemmed from singularity as well, however regarding that the world in its suspiciously perfect balance could not have stemmed from the awkwardness of chance.

so in effect richard dawkins is not singling out that with whom he does not agree, he is alienating the whole human race. faith is a spectum on which no individual's perception solely rests at zero, but rather on opposing polarity.

Answer 5

Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,it's no surprise to me you are atheist.
The evidence I have of faith is for me to know anyway, and who knows if it might help even an atheist at some point in their life.
My brother told me that my faith brought him in and thank God for it.He passed away Dec.13th at the age of 52.He claimed to be agnostic most of his life. Peace

Answer 6

There are thousands of fulfilled prophecies in the Bible. Also, if someone is genuinely born again, they're born of the Spirit of God and you do know that there is a God who is love, but who wants to see people repent or they will be judged.

Answer 7

Richard Dawkins is a dink!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/catholiccommunity/message/88906





---

Answer 8

You made 2 mistakes, # 1, you are an atheists, # 2, You listerned to Richard Darwkins. Now I you in a barrel & you can't get out because fo eveything you all try to dis-pove God, I have an answer to answer that question.

Answer 9

evidence?
Everything is an evidence to God .
You see a painting,, but deny the painter,,how logical is that?
Eyes see the art, mind sees the artist.
You see the marvellous universe , and dont believe its Creator..
God is seen by the" mind eye", not the pair of eyes on your head..

Answer 10

A play on words.The clever use of words can convince any one person at any one time of any one thing.I am also a non believer.(so it did not work on me this time)