By ROAD_RUNNER321
Added: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:36:42 UTC

I've heard this phrase a couple times and I think we've all heard stories about people justifying their faith in the face of rational argument. If a believer is taken to task about the lack of evidence and the sheer unlikeliness of their views, they whip out "that's why it's called faith." It seems as if this phrase is used by believers to cut off conversation, and from what I hear it usually works. People usually give up in their questioning, either because they see it as futile or they are so appalled at this denial of reality. My question is, what can someone who is rational say in response to this? If a conversation gets this far and the believer says this phrase, what can a person say to keep the conversation going? Because I think this phrase is a mark of desperation; the believer realizes the shortcomings in their argument and must change the rules so a lack of evidence becomes a good thing. Is there a way to bring this person back? Or are they so divorced from reality they can not be reached?

The best I could think of is to reply immediately with, "why does that make faith a good thing?" Notice that the question has now gone past evidence into the substance of their faith, probably a place they have never bothered to explore. If they take it for granted that their faith is benevolent and justified this question is good for them as it will make them think of reasons why.

TAGGED: CRITICAL THINKING, DEBATE POINTS, IRRATIONALITY