intros all around

[fencerider]

Wow there's a lot of people in this place. My parents made me go to church as a kid. Then when I was old enough to choose for myself I went out of habit. Now a little older with too many prayers unanswered when The SHTF start to think I was wasting my time. I don't know if any God exists or if the Christian God is real. People say to have faith... I've asked a lot of people what faith is but no one has given me an explanation that makes sense

[Solomon Zorn]

Welcome. Here's a sarcastic poem to mull over:

http://www.solomonzorn.com/impotent-omnipotent.html

[Cavebear]

Wow there's a lot of people in this place. My parents made me go to church as a kid. Then when I was old enough to choose for myself I went out of habit. Now a little older with too many prayers unanswered when The SHTF start to think I was wasting my time. I don't know if any God exists or if the Christian God is real. People say to have faith... I've asked a lot of people what faith is but no one has given me an explanation that makes sense

Think logically and consider that science is more accurate that any thought system before it.  Religion will fade away some day as the last stupid people fail to thrive.  Like Flat-Earthers...

[Mr.Obvious]

Welcome to our little band of heathens. I hope you like it here.

To be honest though, I think recent political events have left this forum more active than it usually is.

But I like it, it's a goldilocks forum: not too big, not too small.

[Cavebear]

Welcome to our little band of heathens. I hope you like it here.

To be honest though, I think recent political events have left this forum more active than it usually is.

But I like it, it's a goldilocks forum: not too big, not too small.

Not so sure about that.  I found it separate from politics and anything else.  I was just unhappy with a book discussion board that decided they didn't like an annoying atheist poking rational holes in their posts.  So I looked around and found this. 

[Mr.Obvious]

Not so sure about that.  I found it separate from politics and anything else.  I was just unhappy with a book discussion board that decided they didn't like an annoying atheist poking rational holes in their posts.  So I looked around and found this.

Yeah, but activity on the forum itself, in comparison to previous months, seems higher; all in all.
Leading up to and after the election, new threads buzzed and many seemed to comment more than before.
This place has it's dry spells. From time to time. This is not one of them.

[Cavebear]

Yeah, but activity on the forum itself, in comparison to previous months, seems higher; all in all.
Leading up to and after the election, new threads buzzed and many seemed to comment more than before.
This place has it's dry spells. From time to time. This is not one of them.

Ok, well you would know better than I.  I'm a new one myself.

[Baruch]

Welcome

[SGOS]

I've asked a lot of people what faith is but no one has given me an explanation that makes sense

It means believe what is not believable.  Really, it's an attempt to get you do that.  People don't use this ploy when it's about something rational.  They don't go out of their way to encourage you to have faith the sun will come up at sunrise.  You only need faith when something you are told to believe sounds like it might be bullshit.   That's why the faith card is there.

This doesn't completely answer your question, "What is faith?"  But knowing it's purpose may help you to understand it.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

Don't question faith. Doing so will offend those who believe it to be the only reason anything even happens.
I'm constantly being told that I offend people by even mentioning that faith is bullshit. As a devout atheist I'm reminded that I'm expected to never express my views and just go along with all the happy horseshit prayers..
My gf thinks prayer is helpful. After all, she prayed that Trump would be crushed in the election. Prayers are always answered with Yes/No/Maybe and don't forget the ever popular 'its all in gods hands.'

[Cavebear]

Faith is any unfounded belief.  That gives you unicorns, mermaids, fairies, heffalumps, and aliens.  Good luck founding a meaningful life on that past childhood.

[Baruch]

Faith is any unfounded belief.  That gives you unicorns, mermaids, fairies, heffalumps, and aliens.  Good luck founding a meaningful life on that past childhood.

If you lose your faith, you can find it again at the Lost & Founded ;-)