Recently I've been thinking a lot about the idea of Faith and Skepticism, and about their relevance in determining Truth. To me, the biggest difference between faith and skepticism is that faith relies on a number of preconceptions, while skepticism seeks to eliminate preconceptions by considering several possibilities in a debate.
The epitome of a faith-based approach is one that holds that it knows the truth from the onset, while the epitome of a skeptic will question everything.
A person who takes everything he believes on faith relies on the truth of his beliefs. Since there are so many possible worldviews, he/she is statistically very likely to have the wrong one, and will never know since he/she will not test it.
Many Creationists who I have talked to have used a faith-based approach to their worldview. In other words, they believe for no other reason than that they believe. One creationist asked me how I can be so sure which scientists to listen to. How do I know that the majority of biologists with relevant degrees are right?
Truth is, as a skeptic, I can't be sure that there isn't some great conspiracy engineered by the devil to trick the faithful into accepting evolution. But it seems to me that skeptics (I'm speaking for myself here) do develop a form of faith in that which has shown itself to be reliable in general. Science has always seemed to get closer and closer to the truth (as in the move from Geocentrism) while steadily opposed by those of faith.
My question is: How do you argue a faith-based approach to Truth? Those of you who believe the Genesis account is true on account of faith, why do you think your faith is better than a faith in reason and logic, and material evidence? Why is blind faith taught as a virtue, when in its essence it requires the acceptance of doctrine that others prior have accepted for no other reason than faith itself. Not to mention the surrender of individual exploration of all other possible explanations for the world we live in.
-Meldinoor
Edited by Meldinoor, : Better title
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