Re: Hitchens on religion

In <f2titl$qh8$2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> micha@xxxxxxxxxxx (Micha Berger) writes:

Steve Goldfarb <slg@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
You've been arguing that the important thing is how you came to make that
decision to accept the system -- whether it was done capriciously, or with
sufficient justification.

You still think that a religious choice is a one time event, and not
a constant lifelong thing. People's positions drift over time, so that
every religious experience -- or lack thereof -- shapes the result.

And yes, if my point is to reject the notion that religion is more
"cherished presumption" than science is, then yes, that is the important
thing.

The term "cherished presumption" was a compromise, due to your refusal to
countenance the appropriate word, which is "faith."

I don't understand what point you're trying to make here. Yes, some people
who claim to think scientifically actually hold faith-based ideas /
dogmas on certain issues, e.g., Dawkins, and some religious people who
profess absolutely certainly on Tuesday go on to change their minds and
profess certainty in some other idea on Wednesday. But neither example
would be considered an ideal, would they?

Micha, are you or are you not absolutely certain that God exists, that he
has commanded you to behave in a certain way, and that he has done this
via the Torah? It's a simple question, and one you don't actually have to
answer -- your answer is your own business -- but if you're certain, then
you *have faith* it doesn't matter how you came to determine if that faith
was justified or not. At this point, today, you're certain. That's faith.

If you aren't certain, that's a different issue.

--s
--

.

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