All Comments (6)

adults chat

Patty:

"Conducting a life based on faith takes a great deal more courage than conducting a life on the basis of evidence."

Following Aristotle's precepts -- perhaps the problem is that a life based on faith exhibits too much self-confidence -- moving one beyong courage into the realm of rashness.

The two most important things I've taight my children about religion are the phrases "I don't know" and "I might be wrong".

So far, so good.

Thank you, Rabbi Neuberger. I would add that it is also important for parents to share with their children whatever practices help them to experience sanctity in their lives (e.g., praying, meditating, listening to music, walking outdoors, etc.)

I advise my child,with mixed faith parents.That faith is where or what you are comfortable with in your heart,which you are able to act upon.Any commitment to a religion is a personal declaration and can not be imposed by someone else.I share what I understand about both religions,and willing admit that there is a lot I do not know.So I push the sound heart approach.

"The proper position to take . . .?" Mr. Wolfe, you sound as dogmatic as those you condemn. Conducting a life based on faith takes a great deal more courage than conducting a life on the basis of evidence. In fact, the more evidence I have, the more faith I have in God! I wish you well, Mr. Wolfe.

Exactly. The proper position to take is agnosticism. Remember why Huxley invented the term "agnostic." He noted that dogmatic individuals were always telling him what they "know," whereas he did not know and did not see any evidence that the know-its were any more intelligent than he was. Nobody knows whether the universe and this earth are the product of a creator or multiple creators, or the product of a chemical mixture that exploded. Atheists and religionists share their primary characteristic in common: they are both dogmatists. But they are dogmatists without conclusive evidence one way or the other. The intelligent, rational human being does not accept the pronouncements of either on faith: on faith either in the authors of scriptures, clerics pontificating on the scriptures, or scientists whether they be the most brilliant physicists of all time. We are creatures who must of necessity conduct our lives on the basis of evidence. At present there is no conclusive evidence on how the universe and its components, or this earth and its creatures, came to exist.