Quote Originally Posted by Breukelen advocaat
You have not addressed the question of faith being an escape from reality. Faith is a conditioning of the mind to accept what it is told, whether there is evidence to support those beliefs or not. Faith is very perilous, and not in accordance with rational thinking.

You want to "forgive" Bin Laden. He and his organization, Al Qaeda, must be exterminated. It's the only solution to the threat that people like this pose.
I know this can be a touchy subject and I really appreciate your intelligent discourse on it, even if you don't agree with me. The matter of faith: I am pretty sure you and I have "faith" in one thing or another. Based on our experience we have faith that the sun will rise tomorrow... We don't know the sun will rise, but we expect it will based on our experience. The faith in "God" is harder because we lack direct experience of Him/Her according to our expectations. We want to conceptualize God according to our desires. We create an image of Him/Her. If you want, substitute the "Truth" for "God," this will help the discussion. I have faith in Truth. I can't define it, but I know Truth is true and that you and I are part of it. The peril isn't faith, its expectations. Brother, take a deep breath (or toke) and know that you do not walk alone, despite the horrors of this world. Expectations are relics from the past. The past is the problem b/c we chain ourselves to it and have "faith" in it to establish our future. It doesn't exist! Thanks, MH