Just A Thought ~ BELIEF AND FAITH

"Faith is a cop-out. It is intellectual bankruptcy. If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits."

~ Dan Barker, Former Evangelist turned Atheist, Author and Critic ~

Clearly, Dan Barker saw some light here. He could have seen a bit more, though, could have perceived the difference between Belief and Faith. He was talking about Belief here, rather than Faith. Most followers of any religion only Believe; they have no real Faith, because Faith is born of experience ~ good experience ~ and knowledge applied. Without direct experience, Faith cannot arise; we can only Believe. Few people really experience the heart ~ the essence ~ of religion.

Of course, he is right: Religion should be able to withstand scrutiny without demanding unquestioning belief from people, and if it cannot, it should be left behind.