Mr Believer's Clarification of Faith

As part of introducing my audience to this debate topic I have asked Mr. Believer to clarify a much needed point that others have mentioned, so I emailed him this question.

Why would you or anyone else and especially a believer ever agree to debate an atheist?...isn't faith just believing what you can't prove?

Mr. Believer

Wow... you don't hold back do you Paul? A fast ball on the first pitch. Well....before I can answer that I have to give you my definition of faith." Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen " and actually that is not my definition, its the biblical definition. The part of this definition that concerns us for the purpose of this discussion is the second part (the invisible part) Now before you criticize me for bringing in the bible let me explain that regardless of your religious perspective or lack thereof, you operate under this definition everyday. Everyday there are things you don't or can't see directly that influence your life ...you don't see the air you breath (unless you live in L.A.) you don't see the gravity that holds you to the earth or the radio waves that bring music into your home or car. What you see is the resulting effects of these things on the world around you ...so when the wind blows the trees sway, when gravity exists you are able to remain fixed on the ground, when music is broadcast you are able to listen to it. Now despite the fact these things (wind, gravity, radio waves) cannot be seen, you live your life in the knowledge that they exist because while you don't see them directly you see the consequences of their existence. So faith then can be said to be something both the believer and unbeliever operate their lives under everyday even if they are unwilling to admit to it or are unaware of it. They do this without the benefit of actually seeing what they believe exists. I call this the "faith factor". The difference between the believer and the atheist being the degree to which they are willing to extend this "faith factor" from the universe to the possibility of a creator of the universe. The question then becomes can the same reasoning process that the unbeliever uses while living in the world (believing in invisible things because he can see the consequences of their existence in the world) be used by the believer when he says he believes in the invisible God because he sees the consequences of his creative powers also in the world? My answer is yes and that is where we begin.

Paul : Ok thanks for clearing that point up. I would ask any of those following this debate topic to submit questions or comments you wish Mr Believer to respond to. I will forward them to Mr Believer by e-mail and he will choose the best and the brightest to respond to ...coming soon... "The Debate Begins"

As a final note, most of you know where I stand on faith. One of my favourite quotations is by Rene Descartes, a Dutch philosopher (1596-1650).

"If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things."

I feel we need to have more people who question things--sadly, something our poor education system discourages. We are taught to accept without questioning and in my opinion are no better than sheeps...or sheeple.

Are there anymore logical thinkers out there who feel the same way as me? I know there are a few readers who could probably "blow a hole" in this argument. I'm interested in your opinion no matter how simple or elaborate it may be. Let's speak out and let this guy know that there are people who can think for themselves.

Mr Believer we accept "your serve" and now the ball is in the "reader's court". Be prepared for the volley! May the best argument decide.