Hello messenjaH,
I primarily post on the biblical criticism forum, however, the issue of faith and belief is a concept that I have also long been interested in.
I am not anti-religion. I was raised in a fundamentalist environment and, for the most part, the members of the church I attended were (and still are) wonderful, caring people.
However, having always been a voracious reader (and in general, textually oriented), subsequent years of study and observation convinced me that the postulated foundations upon which my religious indoctrination rested, were far more tenuous than the casual adherent is led to believe.
I don't advocate attacks on religion. Every Sunday several hundreds of people attend the church of their choice within walking distance of my home and not once have I ever approached any of them for the purpose of dissuading them from doing so.
This, however, is not the church of your choice; it is a discussion forum. One in which you have voluntarily chosen to participate.
Within this forum, then, these previously made points are both valid and justified:
1)Belief is irrelevant to reasoned and supported argument. Everyday, innumerable people go about believing things that aren't true.
2)Archaeological finds referencing historical people and places prove the bible? Legend has it that Rome was founded by the brothers Romulus and Remus. Thus, by your own logic, since Rome is historical, not only were Romulus and Remus actual persons, but also, all the legends concerning them are gospel truth.
This area of biblical archaeology is one that has interested me for some time and I would be happy to discuss the implications of each and every example with you (one at a time).
3)Beyond the placebo-like effect provided by any positive personal philosophy, faith-healing has no demonstrable veracity. There is, however, ample attestation that it involves single-point anomalies and even (at its worst) charlatanism.
4)To be asked for textual or historical evidence in favor of your chosen religious perspective is also justified.
The only alternative, (in lieu of this evidence), is that the Spirit is guiding you. This brings the discussion, circularly, back to point #1, since it can be shown that numerous people making identical claims to Spiritual guidance have as many conflicting viewpoints. Ergo, somebody's mistaken.
Thus, along with the others on this board, I would still like to see a discussion of these points.
Namaste'
Amlodhi
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