C_Clayton_Jones
Diamond Member
Just as religion and ‘god’ are creations of man, so too is the notion of a ‘spirit’; all manifestations of morality, decency, right and wrong come from man. Men are capable of living just and virtuous lives absent religion and ‘god,’ including theists, as the religious tenets by which theists live their lives come solely from man. Faith/religion/belief is the façade behind which theists attempt to conceal this fact.The spirit manifesting for those who have spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear is the difference. As an atheist you depend on scientific test and theories. A believer on the other hand has faith that ultimately the spirit will show them and lead them down the correct paths for their lives and assist them in their daily trials and tribulations to help them overcome the things that are not conducive for a child of God's spirit to grow and prosper. In time many believers have seen the spirit manifest. That does not happen at the same time for all so by faith believers hope generally in that which has not yet been seen by them.Theists accuse atheists of being hypocritical for criticising their faith, while simultaneously have faiths of their own. The question is, are the two using the word in the same manner. Consider the following:
EXAMPLE 1:
Because of repeated observed, and peer reviewed verification, Derek has faith that when he drops a ball from the roof of his apartment building, that it is going to drop to the ground.
EXAMPLE 2:
Because of the passages found in (fill in the holy book of your choice), and a personal experience that he cannot submit for peer review, Jesse has faith that there is a creator, and he dedicates his life to this creator.
Are these two decisions of faith identical? If so, why? What makes them the same, other than the fact that they both use the word faith? If not, why not? What is the difference?