Atheist Debates - Appeals to Faith

A brief look at appeals to faith and why they don't and can't add anything of substance to conversations about the foundations of a belief.

There's an additional context that isn't discussed in this video, primarily because it appeals to a specific interpretation of faith as 'confidence that is granted by God'... that sort of justification will be addressed in future videos about direct revelation and the 'divine sense'.

[markrzepecki]

Matt is really good. He offers thoughtful and reasonable answers to important questions. He is really underrated as an important figure for non-theists.

[CollapseSurvivalSite]

I am loving this series!! I always enjoyed Matt Dillahunty's rants on the Atheist Experience, but it's really cool to see him give a well-organized presentation on one topic at a time. These are all worth watching multiple times. 

[gregm]

"Faith is believing what you know ain't so"

~Mark Twain

[screwdog]

That quote from David Hume is rationality in a nut-shell. I define faith as any belief that is out of proportion to the evidence. Which makes it irrational by definition.

[sleepyd]

"A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

[JeskaDax]

This series is fantastic! Thanks so much for clarifying these "finer points".

[zeromodz]

Matt, If you read this. I wanted to let you know that over the past 5 years you have inspired me because you are the best atheist debater I have ever seen. As an atheist myself, I have learned so much from your videos and how to address arguments from my theist friends. Thanks for all you do!

[paulj]

Faith is reassuring yourself, that the magic beans you gave your all for,
really are magic.

[zendean]

That was great Matt. Thank you very much. I've had a million of those debates where one side just up and declares victory by appealing to faith. I always start like you do and get them to define faith, which means everybody defines it a little differently. But your discussion of Hebrews opened my eyes a little better on what that scripture is saying, the forked definition, which of course is circular ultimately. I often ask a person, "Who told you to have faith?" They say the bible. "So you have faith in the bible because the bible told you to have faith in the bible?" They answer yes to that question usually and see no problem with it at all.

[EmperorsNewWardrobe]

This is an important video. As unlikely as it might be any time soon, the majority of the world's people would drastically change if the contents of this video was absorbed into society.

[dtdyvr]

Excellent series Matt - thank you! Calm, clear, concise, well reasoned, rational, refreshing, and very useful… a real pleasure!

[Cheesesteakfreak]

Matt, thank you soooo much for your work and contribution to humanity! You have improved the quality of our collective awareness and increased our value as a species. 

[cristian]

*"You just must to have faith" = "you must believe all the bullshit I´m telling you without the need of evidence"*

[CaptainButtonMasher]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to make these videos Matt.

Such honest, clear thinking. Much appreciated. I admire your passion and patience.  

[cosmorganebill]

Well said as ever, Matt.  I have yet one more meaning of "faith."  It's one I consider an actual virtue:
"To have faith is to trust yourself to the water.  When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown.  Instead you relax, and float." - Alan Watts

[exodiathecoolone]

Great timing Matt! I've been having a debate with a christian on Youtube for the past few days, and guess what card he just pulled? Yup, he literally said "my faith is based on evidence". I linked him to this. I told him why I laughed ridiculously loud when he posted his latest comment.

[therealjammit]

I agree SOOOO much with the interruption thing. Starting a premise where the first thing is false and the rest of the argument hinges on the false premise, ruins the entire argument for both.

[jackellis]

What a well done video Matt. You present it excellently.

[Numaticin]

"Do not turn up your volume - the introduction is silent"

Still turned up my volume.

[Messmerd]

This is the best video I've heard so far on the topic of faith. Very good job!