This is why I don't like debating religion

[Dodece]

Look there is nothing wrong with having faith in things. As long as you are honest with yourself. If you are making a choice to believe in something that isn't supported by fact or reason. There isn't something insidious about copping to what you are doing. If you have an emotional need for something, and embrace something to give your life some greater meaning. I don't think anyone is particularly troubled by that. The real problem is when people decide to be disingenuous about what they are doing.

It is one thing to intentionally delude oneself, but when you deny that is what you are doing, and blindly defend that faith when you know damned well that there isn't any evidence to support that claim. Then you are trying to twist reality to suit your own purposes. It is fundamentally a perverse act, because it is a egocentric mania. It isn't that you really believe. You are just so self absorbed, and so terrified of your own fears. That you are embracing a lie, and it isn't unwarranted to call someone out when they are lying through their teeth.

How is it wrong to expect genuine honesty from others. There are a lot of people of faith. Who understand that it isn't necessarily true in the literal sense, but that it is a frame work that they are using for personal growth, or as a world view. You don't have to believe Jesus was God. To think that his world view is the one you like the most. It isn't even wrong to pattern your life after his.

What is wrong is to use faith as a excuse to be ignorant, or to demand ignorance of others. It isn't a beautiful act. It is simple cowardice masquerading as enlightenment. If your view of faith is something to be obedient to so you don't have to look into the abyss. Then you have completely missed the point. You have to stare into that pit for a good long time if you truly intend to grow as a individual. Faith should be a avenue for thought, and not a military march from the cradle to the grave.

Anyway I am about done with this thread, and I concede the author has something of a point. It is really kind of a pointless exercise to talk to people. Who are not only willfully ignorant, but intentionally obtuse, because they are too scared to admit that their belief stems from a deep need or want. Rather then it being some kind of self evident fact.