Faith is the enemy of reason

Faith is belief in the absence of evidence. Science is knowledge based on evidence.

Is there anything you can't justify by faith?
There's an invisible green Martian sitting on your shoulder.
Oh, by the way, she's weightless.
I have faith she's there...

I have never heard this one you quoted, "Isn't that what 'Faith' is all about? You don't have to see it to believe it"!"

I would not know what sort of faith or definition of faith is being used in your discussion, but the faith I am aware of means knowledge. Knowledge can be acquired by hearing, not specifically requiring seeing.

Thank time, I no longer have to engage with them on a daily basis. Lately, I’ve had to seek them out on the sidewalks of town They’re deniers, game players, hucksters and followers, with well worn methods of dodging reality, no matter how well it’s delivered. Keep at em, though, I will too

I believe in miracles you sexy or not.

Can you name one case were facts require faith?

Faith, like you used to have in Santa.

But why do they "have to have faith"/ That alone makes no sense at all.

Believe what you want it's your choice

Religious Faith: Believing something absolutely preposterous when there is no evidence to support it and mountains of evidence proving it is false.

Yeah, I stopped banging my head against that wall long ago. I only ever bait.. sorry debate with them if I'm stuck next to them at weddings etc and I want to amuse myself. I don't expect to achieve anything other than my own entertainment.

Well, of course you’re Christian. You’re from the United States.

I follow Mark Twain's advice.

I'm not much for debating other people's faith with them. It's a side issue and I'd prefer to focus on facts that we can agree upon.

However if I did then I'd explain that I too have faith.

I take it on faith that the universe operates according to fixed rules
I take it on faith that that these rules may be discovered from observations and experimentation

I'd explain that I'm aware of many people who declare similar articles of faith and have ascribed many positive outcomes from doing so. Broadly speaking, science. These positive outcomes may be seen as representing some sort of value to these articles of faith.

I'd also explain that I take it on faith that society as whole by and large operates to a similar moral code as my own.

I'd explain that I'm aware of many people who declare a similar articles of faith and have ascribed many positive outcomes from doing so. Broadly speaking, ethics. But also that expectations from this article of faith can and have often been dashed. As such perhaps the outcomes from holding this faith represent less value in doing so than the first two I mentioned.

I also explain that I take it on faith that this is the year that Arsenal will win the double and deserve to do so. There are may people who share this faith but unfortunately are expectations have been dashed much more often that not. As such perhaps the outcomes from holding this faith represent very little value to me but nonetheless I have the right to keep that faith despite it all.

Then I ask whether they can similarly articulate the limits of their own faith and what sort of outcomes they feel are generated by the people who hold those expectations. Finally ask themselves how well they might empathise with my position. Ask what value do they think I should ascribe those outcomes and why that might be different from their own subject assessment of the value of their own faith.

Should I have "faith" in an email sent by a "Nigerian Prince" who offers to transfer a million dollars to my bank account? Should I send him my account number and password so he can do that? NOOOOOOO!!!!! I would find my account empty! The world is full of scams. I must see sufficient evidence to back up a claim before I accept it as true. Though I have spent years searching for evidence that gods exist, and that the Bible is true, I have found none. Nobody who believes has been able to back up their claims with sufficient evidence. My conclusion is that anyone who claims I must have blind faith in a religion is a scam artist.

As an atheist since age 13, I keep four sentences in my back pocket:

"I don't believe in an invisible being that resides somewhere beyond the clouds."

"We are ALL atheists here," I tell Jehovah Witnesses, grandly waving my arm to include the entire neighborhood. They give up.

"I stopped having imaginary friends at age four."

"I chose rational thought, not magical beliefs." This upsets people, even pastors.

While they puzzle, I say goodbye and shut the door.

It can be painted in any light. One could easily flip the situation to be an innocent person on trial with tons af evidence against them, but the judge having faith that the person is innocent.

Though, I’d be more concerned with what the jury thought.

I feel your characterization is incorrect. If there was material evidence of a God... Then pretty much everyone would believe... Just as if you had material evidence of a rape or murder. But there is no such evidence so the judge would dismiss the case. However... even if someone bore false witness or in some other way tried to influence the judge... Someone would walk away believing the opposite.

Like I always say... I only have faith in family and friends... I only worship the woman I love! (Position currently open)