Atheists...

[Khethil]

Originally Posted by Holiday20310401

... because common sense is not faith.

Someone give this guy a cookie! I now have a new hero

[Didymos Thomas]

Common sense is not faith? I guess we could argue about the definitions of 'common sense' and 'faith', but it seems to me that 'faith' is more common than not having faith.

[boagie]

Thomas,

Is a leap of faith common sense, I was told one had to leave reason behind to believe---Catholic priest. Common sense is reasoned thought. Common and common sense, two different meanings, something common does not necessarily infer that it was come to through common sense.

[Khethil]

Originally Posted by Didymos Thomas

Common sense is not faith? I guess we could argue about the definitions of 'common sense' and 'faith', but it seems to me that 'faith' is more common than not having faith.

I think that you're right in that having faith is more common than not. But no, they're not the same thing. The definitions, though they could overlap, are not the same thing.

Yea, this is probably a semantic issue. What is common isn't necessarily common sense (definition). Whether or not faith, "...firm belief for something in which there is no proof" is "...sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts" [1] is up for debate.

Important distinction though.


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[1] There are multiple definitions/meanings listed for "Faith", this one seemed pertinent.
Definitions from Merriam-Webster Online

[Didymos Thomas]

Actually, I was deriding so called 'common sense'.

But that's fine, I'll take your definition of common sense, "Common sense is reasoned thought" and work from there.

Is a leap of faith common sense, I was told one had to leave reason behind to believe---Catholic priest.

Why leave reason behind? Reason is an immense tool and should never be abandoned. Instead, reason as a tool should be understood. Most importantly, we have to understand that reason relies on experience.

A leap of faith is neither reasonable nor empirically sound. I do not suggest anyone follow Kierkegaard's advice on the matter, though I do respect him as a profound thinker.

Instead, faith should be founded upon experience, which is precisely the same foundation as reason. As Hume pointed out, the belief that the sun will rise tomorrow is rationally absurd. Instead, we take the matter on faith, which is empirically sound given the probability, and probability is derived from our great tool, reason.

Lets see you spin this one Thomas!

Hitting your head against the wall is futile, man. Save your skull for the real headaches of thinking this stuff through.

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Okay, if you really want to I'll engage the semantic debate:

common and common sense, two different meanings, something common does not infer that it was come to through common sense.

'Common', in the case of 'common sense', is an adjective, a descriptive word. Thus, 'common' in the case of 'common sense' describes the nature of the 'sense' being discussed.

You are right in that something common is not necessarily common sense; however, the phrase 'common sense' does, in English, refer to something that is indeed common.

[boagie]

Mr Bill Robinson is Mr Bojangles, excellent soft shoe though Thomas, Mr Bojangles--------- dance!! edit: You may have a point after all, I remember Joseph Campbell saying, "All human life is mythologically compelled", it seems to be the one universal idea of mankind.

[Didymos Thomas]

Yes, Mr. Campbell was a pretty smart guy. He recognized that spirituality was an essential part of human life, as essential as socializing with other humans (not quite as important as food or water). Spirituality has many manifestations, and I think the variety is great. People each have their own path.

[AtheistDeity]

What would you personally describe as spirituality, Thomas? Just curious ^_^

[Didymos Thomas]

What would you personally describe as spirituality, Thomas? Just curious ^_^

Personally? I'm a terrible writer, and have a... meager spiritual practice, I suppose you could say. So, I'm not sure I'm in a position to give a personal account of what spirituality is, though I have no problem drawing on other explanations.

You might read the Book of Kings from the Old Testament, or just about any other scripture from any faith tradition, really. Maybe get some of Rumi's poetry. Plenty of resources out there.

[boagie]

Didymos Thomas,

I think the man is asking you a personal question there Thomas, take your time. I too would be most interested as well on your personal perspective on what is spirituality. It is a difficult question I know, I have just start pondering what my own reply would be. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING THOMAS!!! just yanking your chain Thomas, I would find it a difficult question too.