02-28-2003, 01:34 PM
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#31
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Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas
Posts: 451
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Quote:
Originally posted by Jamie_L
It goes beyond just religious discussions.
American culture seems to place a great emphasis on the importance of faith in general. There are many films that portray faith without proof as a noble thing. I first started noticing this one Christmas after watching the original "Miracle on 34th Street".
Take something on the opposite end of the spectrum, like the X-Files. The character who seeks sufficient evidence and logical explanations is portrayed as the misguided one, while the character who leaps to believe all manner of fanciful theories is the hero.
Blind faith in fanciful stories just seems to be viewed as a wonderful thing. Why?
I guess Americans are the eternal optimists. We have great expectations, in part because most of what we want as a nation comes true. For example, I am trying to learn how to play the piano and I have faith in my ability to pull it off. Pessimists are quitters or never begin, but optimists are fools enough to keep on struggling to catch the dream they chase.
On a more serious note, I think religious leaders knew it would take more than simple hope to keep people interested in religion so they come up with this faith jazz. It's a long journey they say so just have faith. Whether we get there or not doesn't seem to enter the picture. Faith is a journey and not a destination.
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