Dear mjpb,

Reasonable faith is an oxymoron, If something can be shown to be true or established by reason there is no need for faith. Kant had faith in God. Yet he logically showed that all proofs for the existence of God were flawed. There is also no valid evidence for the existence of God. One believes in God through faith. Kant had that faith, but he did not claim that reason supported his faith. Faith and reason are contradictory. I am an atheist because I know of no valid reason or evidence to accept the existence of God. Show me a valid reason or evidence to accept the existence of God, and I will accept the existence of God. However, I will still not have faith.

Faith is not the opposite of illogical thought or lack of reason, etc. Faith is the opposite of unbelief, or no faith. Much of our life operates upon faith but not upon the lack of reasons, or lack of logic. We operate upon more instinctive thought than thought out reasons.

Faith is resultant from thought out reasons to believe.

Philo wrote:

"Faith is not the opposite of illogical thought or lack of reason, etc. Faith is the opposite of unbelief, or no faith. Much of our life operates upon faith but not upon the lack of reasons, or lack of logic. We operate upon more instinctive thought than thought out reasons.

Faith is resultant from thought out reasons to believe."

Dear Philo,

I think you have defined reasonable expectation rather than faith. I have a reasonable expectation that I will see the sun tomorrow as I usually get up and see the sun. However, faith in God is something else. I know of no thought out reason to believe in God. For a believer in God somehow it seems right that there be a God. That is different from a thought out reason.

Philo,

You have an interesting point. We have faith in travelling an elevator. But we know said faith is not absolute. Religious faith would seem absolute. Infallibility of faith is a big step to take. Reasoning is qualified and in the case of Science tentative. I realise you hold Science to have a separate epistemology than belief, yet can a human infallibly believe in god?

I think religionists and atheists both have a right to free speech. I would have objection to the display of a cross on a bus.

Wow, what an error. Sorry.

I would have NO objection to a cross on a bus.

Ya I heard this on RN this morning.
Christianity and capitalism go hand in hand of course for anyone that was born five mins ago, the fear of the wrath of 'God lovers' upon the bus company, "in the mind" of the people accepting or rejecting the contract. I can imagine the migrane as they tried to weigh up the wrath with the greed and decide to go or no.
Christianity is a fear based cult of course as are all gangs.
Cheers