Faith or Sceptism? (beliefs, evolve)

[w00t]

When I read some of the posts by people who claim to have a faith in the weird and wonderful, and let's face it some of the faith stuff on here and forums like it, is pretty crazy, I opt for sceptism every time!

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Tangnefedd

When I read some of the posts by people who claim to have a faith in the weird and wonderful, and let's face it some of the faith stuff on here and forums like it, is pretty crazy, I opt for sceptism every time!

Don't you think most people have skepticism toward something? You don't think all religious people are suckers do you?

[w00t]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Don't you think most people have skepticism toward something? You don't think all religious people are suckers do you?

Not all of course, but faith does seem to spawn the most amazing garbage, without any logic to it at all!

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Tangnefedd

Not all of course, but faith does seem to spawn the most amazing garbage, without any logic to it at all!

Is there a particular story you've read or heard that you'd like to discuss?

[w00t]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Is there a particular story you've read or heard that you'd like to discuss?

I don't think it would be fair to the poster to pull out one particular thread that struck me as very surreal!

[cardero]

Originally Posted by Tangnefedd

When I read some of the posts by people who claim to have a faith in the weird and wonderful, and let's face it some of the faith stuff on here and forums like it, is pretty crazy, I opt for sceptism every time!

A find a little skepticism is healthy. It doesn’t express a fear to believe but it certainly does prove to be a cautious or careful way of believing responsibly. A lot of skepticism can lead to the practice of doubt, which like faith, is belief abuse. The rule of thumb to remember is this, if the belief is possible, it is valid. Sooner and later, people will not be able to hide behind their faith and eventually have to confront and reason their beliefs if they expect them to change and evolve.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by cardero

The rule of thumb to remember is this, if the belief is possible, it is valid.

Absolute rubbish - that "rule of thumb" serves no function other than to adulterate the term 'valid'.

[cardero]

Originally Posted by Jay

Absolute rubbish - that "rule of thumb" serves no function other than to adulterate the term 'valid'.

One must remember that in order to provde the freedom that accompanies believing and the respect that we should lend for other's beliefs, this validity must be granted. One still has the personal responsibility to acquire the available knowledge and still has to directly confront, reason, compare and conclude the belief to the value of Truth or Untruth (in which it then may be accepted and practiced). I am sure you will be relieved to know that the validity of any belief can only be temporary.

[Fluffy]

Originally Posted by Tangnefedd

When I read some of the posts by people who claim to have a faith in the weird and wonderful, and let's face it some of the faith stuff on here and forums like it, is pretty crazy, I opt for sceptism every time!

I don't think that avoiding stupid beliefs is a valid reason for pursuing scepticism. Either you are equating stupid beliefs with any belief not derived by a particular level of scepticism which is equivilant to saying "yay scepticism" and "boo not scepticism" or you are unable to call any belief stupid since you would then be failing to apply scepticism.

Scepticism can help us identify which beliefs are reasonable to hold. Don't be tempted to spoil that by abandoning scepticism after identifying an unreasonable belief.

Originally Posted by cardero

The rule of thumb to remember is this, if the belief is possible, it is valid.

I disagree because validity does not describe belief but the reason or argument that justifies a belief. A belief cannot be valid or invalid.