[~ot] why is programming so fun?

[Me Here]

BCS wrote:

> as a Christian, I am supposed to show the world my faith.  

That is the crux of my personal objection to organised religion. 

The need, desire or worse, imperative, to announce or demonstrate ones "faith"
to the wider world. It leads to the need to condemn those who announce or
demonstrate a different faith, or even minor variations of the same faith. And
that leads to wars, and extremism.

Whilst faith is between the individual and their god, it affects noone, except
the individual. Hurts no one, And satisfies the criteria of most rational
reading of most every set of teachings. The individual has their relationship
with their god, and demonstrates their faith to the only two entities that
matter to that relationship, in private. Shared faith between like minded
individuals is fine, but once the need to demonstrate to non-like minded
individuals takes precedence, all hell breaks loose. (Worded carefully!)

I can accept, and even admire, when individuals reach their own level of
understanding about the teachings of their faith and choose to constrain their
own lives and deeds in the light of that understanding. The problems arise when
they seek to constrain the lives and deeds of others in the light of their
understanding.

Indeed, I would go as far as to say that it isn't true faith if there *is* a
need to demonstrate it. That smacks entirely of the need for validation of ones
ideas and understanding from other mortals. And that's not "faith".

Of course. My need to expound my thoughts on this is equally, a demonstration,
seeking (perhaps), validation. But then I make no claim to having faith.

> take that for what you will.

I take it as the conservative statements of a rational and thoughtful man who's
given the subject a lot of thought, as have I, but simply reached different
conclusions.

And, perhaps in that, we are not so dissimilar. We both, I think, allow for the
possibility that rational people can consider the same evidence (and lack
thereof) and reach different conclusions. No absolutism. And, I hope, we both
accept that neither of us will ever know the truth for sure. We may believe,
but we cannot, in this life at least, know.

Be well. b.
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