TL;DR

texburgher:

There is such a thing as reasonable faith. I’ve never heard a sound argument that faith is inherently unreasonable. But to me (here we go with the beliefs and opinions again) the legitimacy of faith must be determined by the degree to which it effects humility and curiosity, as opposed to justifying arrogance and complacency.

Which brings me back to this one (of many - seriously, go read the rest) significant passage from Shandon’s post up there: It is precisely because we no longer teach (therefore, increasingly are incapable of performing) critical analysis that armies of myopic, ignorant, bigoted, paranoid dullards have been able to infiltrate not only the court system, but the educational system, the business world, significant portions of the media, national and state legislatures, the national presidency (2000-2008), and so on. “Infiltration” is deceptively mild at this stage. “Occupation” is more like it.

The issue threatening us is not religion vs. science, and we intelligent people of decent intent perilously distract ourselves by getting hung up on that debate. The issue is the death of the ability to reason in our society, and whether or not we have the will - and increasingly, the ability - to revive it.

Good stuff, this.  I think Geoff did hit on the closest, and possibly strongest argument for the unreasonableness of faith - that it teaches us that some things are unknowable, and that it’s OK for us to just accept that and not push back against our own ignorance.

It’s not a far leap from the religious authority who asks for our blind faith to the sincere sounding politician who does the same. Both men make similar promises - just agree with me, and I’ll take away the things that scare you - and once you make that bargain with the first guy, it’s that much easier to do it with the second one.

I’m not trying to talk anyone out of their faith - but I’d sure recommend that you apply the same burden of proof to EVERYONE that would tell you “I can’t prove it - just trust me on this one.”

Source: texburgher

56 Notes/ Hide

  1. silas216 reblogged this from thebaffled
  2. thesemicullen reblogged this from froggeek and added:
    was raised staunchly Baptist, mostly in...south. So, you can understand what kind of...
  3. kurafire reblogged this from texburgher
  4. bananacasts said: This is just lovely, Geoff. You and Shandon need to have a podcast.
  5. froggeek reblogged this from texburgher and added:
    Good stuff, this....Geoff did hit on the closest, and possibly strongest argument for the...
  6. froggeek said: In the card game of life, religious fundamentalists of all stripes have basically doubled-down - an action most often taken out of desperation, not strength. They are hugely threatened by people who make opposing bets. Nice catch!
  7. thebaffled reblogged this from texburgher