Blind Faith "trust us" Should we? comments???
140447
You gotta be kidding, I don't trust anyone or anything is D.C. You have to remember these politicians all live in mansions and never had financial hardship in their life. It's easy to pretend to care about the country and its people when one lives in a more priviliged world looking down on the masses.
174522
I think it's a good idea to educate yourself on differing beliefs.  It makes you take a closer look at your own, and it should also help you to defend those beliefs (or possibly change them- you never know, you could be wrong now).  College is a place where lots of people question their faith, and I think it's extremely important to know what you believe and why before you go.  As for whether reading other things has strenghtened or hurt- definitely the former.  I didn't form my beliefs until I was a young adult, so I had lots of time before then to figure out what exactly those beliefs were.
95142
From personal experience, I'd think twice about believing that line.  My husband went on there just to "look" also.  Let's just say he did more than look and talk.  Believe if you think it's the truth but just keep checking the validity of his story if you have a way to.
1152210
I welcome questions.  They make me think.  Thinking helps me to grow.  Sometimes I have even discovered that I could be *gulp*      wrong...fortunately, not often *whew*.\n\nI love a challenge.  So far, no question or challenge has weakened my faith in God.  If anything, it has grown stronger.  And that can only be a good thing.\n\nNever underestimate the power of faith, my dear.  Faith in the hands of a good person is awesome.  \n\nIn the hands of an evil person it is downright frightening!!\n\n:)
1087416
Sometimes to see you have to believe first and at other times you have to see to believe.  I think just like everything else, both have their place in life.  I also think that's it's up to each individual when these principals are applicable.  Why do many believe who don't have proof, but depend on heresay?  Well, I believe (as I see it in people over and over again, including myself) that each of us are born with the spirit to know and understand God/Jesus and divine purpose.  When this proclivity is not correctly harvested and harnessed, we go with what "sounds" right or makes "sense".  I read somewhere, "if you don't believe in something, you'll fall for anything."  This is probably what you're referring to.  I don't know......
944497
We are human and cannot possibly know what God knows.  Do I believe things he has done?  Yes.  Can I with certainty explain how it was done? No.  I don't necessarily think it's doubt, I just think it's being unaware.  The longer you have a relationship with God, the more you will come to understand.  He will make some things clearer so that His will can be done.  We are his servants.  So in some ways I agree with you but I don't like the use of the word doubt, that makes me think of being unfaithful.  I see it more as being in the dark, not able to understand.  He is God, our Creator.  We are merely human.
1165237
no, that is blind faith
336409
No thanks I have my own faith, but jolly nice of you to ask!
781459
Dear bluebootz,\n\ni think we need to do both.  i think it's important to understand what you believe- and i believe most people share what they believe with others not to impose their own beliefs on others, but because of errors they see in another's belief.  i think that there is a loving way to communicate errors in another's belief system (for example when i was in Thailand there was a temple where people were bowing down to Monkeys offering them money and stuff like that...) yes people have that freedom to do that... but seeing that was rather painful to my heart.  \n\nSo i think part of communicating lovingly with another is also trying to understand what they belief and the basis of that belief.\n\nIn terms of the Bible verse you quoted- the Corinthian church had forgotten how to love one another and there was much immorality in the church- so the Apostle Paul reminded them of the attitude they were to have as followers of Christ.  They were to love others before themselves, and not just think of themselves... think of how much better the world might be if people adopted that attitude... The verse refers to an attitude that someone who follows Jesus should have... not just being self-centered... but being God and other people centered...  It's not making a statement about our internal morality...\n\nHope that helps.  Kindly,\n\nNickster\n\nP.S.:  Feel free to email me:  nicksterlee@yahoo.com if you need any more clarification on the verse.
827730
Are you thinking of Matter of Trust???
462490
Ha, this could be a little true.\n\nBut there is a faith which is not so wacky.  Think of it like this:\n\nLet us say that you have a friend who has always come through for you.  Then one day, you get stranded and you call your friend to come get you, and they say, "I'm on my way!"  Should you trust your friend?  I say yes, of course!  They have always come through for you in the past, so you should trust them.\n\nI think this is what the proper meaning of faith is.  It is trust.  It is an optimism that everything is going to work for the good.
1145381
Faith is belief without proof. I can't speak for all Christians, but I don't think I'm any better than anybody else. For that matter, I don't KNOW that I picked the right religion, I just believe I did. Can't prove it, can't disprove it, I just believe it. I do agree with some of the "idiots" that CONSTANTLY question religion, though. Some of the pseudo-christians on here are more conceited than saved.
1026456
1. This question is posted many times every day.\n\n2. I realize that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to a previous version of this question:\n\nI believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.\n\nGranted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)\n\nAs for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.\n\nIn my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are. \n\nI see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.\n\nWe are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.\n\nOur current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.\n\nI know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history. \n\nI see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."\n\nThat said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.\n\nI hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.\n\nI feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent. \n\nIf you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.\n\nThat's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.
140159
Would you trust this man???
637051
I agree,.... no one should ever assume they have it all right. Every denomination or every religion is the product of someone interpretting something different than the guy before. Im a Christian and I see other Christians faithfully following doctrines that I have no idea how they can believe it in light of scripture. Im sure many would see some of my beliefs as false too. Fact being, we do not accept anything as truth that we do not understand so we change what we're told into something we can understand. However it doesnt change what IS Truth. I think our best bet is to realise we cant get it all right and just be open to learn.
767986
Nobody knows for sure.  My opinion is that if there is a God then he would judge us on our actions and our character and not on something as unimportant as blind faith.\n\nBut, truth to tell, there are a whole truck load of folks out there who think I am crazy for believing that.\n\nIn the end - you have to decide for yourself.\n\na
1076352
Who says its a medieval lie?  You?  How do you know?  Were you there?  Why should we believe you instead of the church?   Your question is loaded, making it moot.  If you are so convinced Christian faith is a lie why are you concerned about it at all.  You should move on to other things you probably know more about,  like american idol, rap music, gay sex, drugs and booze.  Leave critical thought to those of us that give a damn.