I read an interview of Christopher Hitchens concerning his recent book "God is Not Great" at TruthDig.com. While he made some interesing points, he left out a couple of important points pertaining to faith and why we as individuals and nations kill others.
First off, I must take issue with his definition of faith as only being related to dogma, which is not accurate. He says you can't have faith in science and reason because they are not dogma. However, dogma is defined as "An authoritative principle, belief, or statement of ideas or opinion, especially one considered to be absolutely true." So dogma would include science and reason, if you consider them to absolutely true. As a matter of fact, since God created science and gave us a mind of reason, they are also part of my own belief system.
Faith, by definition is...
Since we as humans are susceptible to being allured by fame, power and wealth, the killing will go on regardless of religion or the lack of religion. It would just be replaced by some other set of traits.
Race? Class? Wealth? Health? Education?
Humans as individuals and as nations will always kill, they always have.
Why blame it all on Christians?
It's easy to do if you neglect to figure in the psychology of it all. It's about power - wanting everyone to do what you do, accept what you accept - then you feel important, worthy, and proud. It's the human condition.
NOTE: You is spoken in general, not specifically to the interviewer nor the interviewee.
If more Christians would get it right, and just follow the teachings and simple commandments of Love as instructed and given by Jesus Christ, then there would be no killing in the name of Christianity.
First off, I must take issue with his definition of faith as only being related to dogma, which is not accurate. He says you can't have faith in science and reason because they are not dogma. However, dogma is defined as "An authoritative principle, belief, or statement of ideas or opinion, especially one considered to be absolutely true." So dogma would include science and reason, if you consider them to absolutely true. As a matter of fact, since God created science and gave us a mind of reason, they are also part of my own belief system.
Faith, by definition is...
1) Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
(My comment: Therefore, your faith CAN be in reason and science.)
2) Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
(My comment: There is no logical proof or material evidence that wars and killing would end if there were no religions.)
3) Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4) often Faith Christianity. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5) The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
A set of principles or beliefs.
Since we as humans are susceptible to being allured by fame, power and wealth, the killing will go on regardless of religion or the lack of religion. It would just be replaced by some other set of traits.
Race? Class? Wealth? Health? Education?
Humans as individuals and as nations will always kill, they always have.
Why blame it all on Christians?
It's easy to do if you neglect to figure in the psychology of it all. It's about power - wanting everyone to do what you do, accept what you accept - then you feel important, worthy, and proud. It's the human condition.
NOTE: You is spoken in general, not specifically to the interviewer nor the interviewee.
If more Christians would get it right, and just follow the teachings and simple commandments of Love as instructed and given by Jesus Christ, then there would be no killing in the name of Christianity.
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