Straggler writes:
Well good for you. But as largely anti-religionist as I appear to be I would never claim that this is a purely a problem with religion. Just, perhaps, more obviously where faith is actively promoted as a good thing.
I don't feel I have anything much to add to this thread but I just wanted to comment on this. As a Christian I feel that faith is a very good thing, but I have a hunch that what I believe I am to have faith in is something different than what you are thinking.
I believe that what I am called to have faith in is the idea that God is a loving God and that He desires that I reflect that love for His creation in my life. I am sure that there are those who believe that faith in a certain doctrine is what counts in order to make oneself right with God, but it just isn't scriptural. I would also add that one can have faith in what God desires without having the doctrine, and conversely I believe that you can have the correct doctrine but still not have the faith that God desires. If you have a Bible handy read Romans 2 and particularly vs 12-16. JMHO