Why is faith a virtue ?

[McCulloch]

Why is faith a virtue?

Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing."
Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

According to the Christians, God created humans. According to science, humans have really big brains, relative to the expected brain size based on other species and body size. With these really big brains, we can assess information, evaluate options, pose difficult questions and collaborate on answers thereby combining the power of our brains.

But according to some Christians, on this site and elsewhere, God does not want humans to use our brains with regard to him. He wants humans to choose to believe in him without sufficient evidence to rationally conclude that he exists. In science, this kind of faith, acceptance of assertions as fact without supporting evidence, is not considered a virtue. Yet, in the area of religion it is good to have faith (so long as your faith is the correct faith).

Why ?

[IPOINTITOUT]

Its only natural for humans to want substance. The bible warns that the world is evil. Without evidence one could be sucked into the same trap the bible warns us of. But then again, as long as you dont question the incomplete bible written by man, and translated time and again. Anyone who doesnt ask questions, has or will fall victem. and good old absent god, and Jesus, will continue to not answer your prayers for help. Just like he always has.

[Easyrider]

The bible warns that the world is evil. Without evidence one could be sucked into the same trap the bible warns us of.

Taken a good, serious look around the planet lately? It's all going to hell in a handbasket, and Muslim fanaticism is going to be hell to pay for generations.

[IPOINTITOUT]

The bible warns that the world is evil. Without evidence one could be sucked into the same trap the bible warns us of.

Taken a good, serious look around the planet lately? It's all going to hell in a handbasket, and Muslim fanaticism is going to be hell to pay for generations.

Perhaps the christian should be as well. we could just serve them up, like they did everyone in the crusades. Perhaps its time for christians should be living in fear, and the rest of the world could punish them for sins against mankind.

[Wyvern]

The bible warns that the world is evil. Without evidence one could be sucked into the same trap the bible warns us of.

Taken a good, serious look around the planet lately? It's all going to hell in a handbasket, and Muslim fanaticism is going to be hell to pay for generations.

You're either a pessimist, watch too much major media news or you just can't see the good things that are happening in the world because it doesn't fit into how you want the world to be. Sure there are problems in the world, always has and more than likely always will(at least until the sun goes into its red giant phase in a couple billion years).
Have some faith Easyrider, things have been bad in the past, in fact most of the past was in much worse shape than we are now and yet with the hard work of millions of people we continually are able to get ourselves out of the fixes we put ourselves into, and moreso the living standards of much of the world keeps getting better.

[pepo1]

But according to some Christians, on this site and elsewhere, God does not want humans to use our brains with regard to him. He wants humans to choose to believe in him without sufficient evidence to rationally conclude that he exists.
Why ?

Job sat there wondering why God had allowed his afflictions to happen. His friends were telling him he must have sinned, then he surmised this and they surmised that, and in the end God rebuked them with words to the effect of "Did you create the universe.?...", i.e. how dare you pretend to begin to know or understand the will of God in your human state. Job admits that he does not have any experience in running the universe, and asks God for forgiveness. Just as a father knows why his child shoudn't run around with scissors, but the kid thinks he knows better, we are just like little wilful babies wondering why this and why that and refusing to accept anything on faith.

In science, this kind of faith, acceptance of assertions as fact without supporting evidence, is not considered a virtue. Yet, in the area of religion it is good to have faith (so long as your faith is the correct faith).

How many times have we seen scientists come on the TV saying something like "What was once believed by scientists to be so and so is actually such and such" ? Science doesn't have a grasp on much really. What is more pertinent is that there are atheists who put complete faith in there not being a God despite there being plenty of smoke indicating the fire that is God's existence.

[QED]

Job sat there wondering why God had allowed his afflictions to happen. His friends were telling him he must have sinned, then he surmised this and they surmised that, and in the end God rebuked them with words to the effect of "Did you create the universe.?...", i.e. how dare you pretend to begin to know or understand the will of God in your human state. Job admits that he does not have any experience in running the universe, and asks God for forgiveness. Just as a father knows why his child shoudn't run around with scissors, but the kid thinks he knows better, we are just like little wilful babies wondering why this and why that and refusing to accept anything on faith.

You could be making a good point, but then again it's also possible that you are not. What you're saying is based on the circular reasoning that God is indeed running the universe. Just as the Father might be totally irrational and bark orders for no good reason, the child's faith could quite easily be misplaced. So is there something else that weighs in on your side of this ambiguity?...

How many times have we seen scientists come on the TV saying something like "What was once believed by scientists to be so and so is actually such and such" ? Science doesn't have a grasp on much really. What is more pertinent is that there are atheists who put complete faith in there not being a God despite there being plenty of smoke indicating the fire that is God's existence.

No, I'm afraid it's ambiguity all the way! First I must correct your statement that "science doesn't have a grasp on much really". Of course there is always much to learn. But in your statement you show how you have arrived this conclusion and it is wrong. Science may seem to switch from one belief to another but each move is typically one which preserves the old paradigm -- which still holds good within it's own frame of reference. We keep seeing people using your argument to "prove" that science is no better at codifying the world than any other system of faith, but it is a process of continual refinement rather than random revelation. Newton's beliefs will still get your spacecraft to Neptune.

From a distance Fog can look a lot like smoke.

[IPOINTITOUT]

But according to some Christians, on this site and elsewhere, God does not want humans to use our brains with regard to him. He wants humans to choose to believe in him without sufficient evidence to rationally conclude that he exists.
Why ?

Job sat there wondering why God had allowed his afflictions to happen. His friends were telling him he must have sinned, then he surmised this and they surmised that, and in the end God rebuked them with words to the effect of "Did you create the universe.?...", i.e. how dare you pretend to begin to know or understand the will of God in your human state. Job admits that he does not have any experience in running the universe, and asks God for forgiveness. Just as a father knows why his child shoudn't run around with scissors, but the kid thinks he knows better, we are just like little wilful babies wondering why this and why that and refusing to accept anything on faith.

In science, this kind of faith, acceptance of assertions as fact without supporting evidence, is not considered a virtue. Yet, in the area of religion it is good to have faith (so long as your faith is the correct faith).

How many times have we seen scientists come on the TV saying something like "What was once believed by scientists to be so and so is actually such and such" ? Science doesn't have a grasp on much really. What is more pertinent is that there are atheists who put complete faith in there not being a God despite there being plenty of smoke indicating the fire that is God's existence.

You can not be serious. How many times, have you been to the doctor, or seen a shuttle launch. i want to believe you are smarter than , these shallow statements, are you.