Is there anything more weak-minded and meaningless than having "faith"?

[xoggoth]

Most pro-life arguments I hear focus on the "it's alive" argument not "it's got a soul".

I don't disagree, there has to a point when a feotus is considered human and abortion equates to murder so some humanists do oppose late abortion. If there are any rational arguments I am not against listening to them. However, it would certainly appear that the various Pro Life groups are largely supported by Christians or are even avowedly Christian groups.

However, as far as I am concerned, rational means going with what is the observable reality of our own wants and needs and the observations of science, as an engineer I am simply not interested in convoluted esoteric philosophical arguments. Observable fact says an early term feotus has all the awareness of a slice of elbow while the mother is a human being by every definition. Similarly, if I am in huge pain or paralysed, I will want out. It is my life and it should be my decision, subject to necessary protections for those in the same condition who don't.

[xoggoth]

If one's intellectual capacity was unlimited and you could state that you were omnipotently knowledgable then you have an argument. Just because you cannot categorically disprove the concept of God infers that there is a statistical probability that God exists.

Eh? I think you are rather misusing the term "statistical probability" there. Possibility yes.

PS My intellectual capacity is unlimited, so I know these things.

[xoggoth]

PS I like these threads. Much better than guff about weather.

[EternalOptimist]

PS I like these threads. Much better than guff about weather.

I hate those threads about the weather.

So what about climate change ? I detect a shift in a lot of people from strong belief to faith. Is that possible ?

is it possible that faith can grow out of belief for mundane social reasons ? like people refusing to back down or admit their hobby-horse might be flawed ?

[d000hg]

Not really. Here's a summary of the evidence:

Religiosity and intelligence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Interesting, but you realise it doesn't really support your claim? a 5-point IQ drop (minimal) in one study, increased education in others? Hardly a bombshell from someone who claims to understand statistics.

[sasguru]

I hate those threads about the weather.

So what about climate change ? I detect a shift in a lot of people from strong belief to faith. Is that possible ?

is it possible that faith can grow out of belief for mundane social reasons ? like people refusing to back down or admit their hobby-horse might be flawed ?

Yes so do I. The complete lack of ability of some to see the evidence before their eyes always astounds me.

[EternalOptimist]

Interesting, but you realise it doesn't really support your claim? a 5-point IQ drop (minimal) in one study, increased education in others? Hardly a bombshell from someone who claims to understand statistics.

I am not a religious person, I dont have many strong beliefs either. Some of the cleverest and most rational people I ever met are religious or have other very strong beliefs.
The two things can exist side by side. I cant explain why some people belive in the supernatural, but its not through any lack of brain power.

[sasguru]

I am not a religious person, I dont have many strong beliefs either. Some of the cleverest and most rational people I ever met are religious or have other very strong beliefs.
The two things can exist side by side. I cant explain why some people belive in the supernatural, but its not through any lack of brain power.

You need to understand that anecdotal stories do not evidence make. What you think is irrelevant. That's why people conduct studies on large numbers of subjects. Its to remove subjective opinion.

[EternalOptimist]

Yes so do I. The complete lack of ability of some to see the evidence before their eyes always astounds me.

Listen, pea-brain.

I do not believe in AGW. I do not believe in any climate model. I am a sceptic, sitting here waiting for evidence
I have zero beliefs in the matter.

[NotAllThere]

Is there anything more weak-minded and meaningless than having "faith"?

Before that can be answered, you'd have to be able to show that having "faith" is "weak-minded and meaningless". Otherwise the answer "almost everything" would be logically consistent.

As it stands your question is pretty weak and meaningless, so there's an obvious direct answer.

What I want to know, is it dark where you are now?