# the concept of faith **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 27, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270 "2013-08-27T02:07:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/221 "2013-10-11T17:11:21Z")
> [@jsutter](#): > > Let your conscience be your guide. Aloha thats _never_ a good mantra - its a fleeting thing and changes often based on the needs - rent money vs. old ladies, etc ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/222 "2013-10-11T17:20:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I am a good person. I am loved. I am love. Check. Check. I do not understand the meaning of that phrase. > [@](#): > > I am worthy of prosperity. I am worthy of abundance. Check. Check. > [@](#): > > I am worthy of joy. I am worthy of happiness. Check. Check. > [@](#): > > I am perfect health. I am perfect order. Doing the best I can. You should see my closet - check! > [@](#): > > I am always successful. I am mentally clear. Nope. Check. > [@](#): > > I am responsible for my life. CHECK. > [@](#): > > I am responsible for my life only. Nope. I’m responsible for raising my kids to be good people and I’m responsible for my cat. > [@](#): > > I am free to choose the direction of my life. Check. > [@](#): > > I am choosing the direction of my life. To the extent that anyone chooses anything, check. > [@](#): > > I am in control of my life. I am in control of my life only. To the extent that anyone controls anything, check. Tru dat. > [@](#): > > I am blessing everyone and everything in my life. If you mean generally wishing people in my life well, sure, most of the people, most of the time - check. > [@](#): > > I am safe and secure. I am completely safe and secure. To the extent that anyone can be at any given moment in time, check. > [@](#): > > I am forgiven. I am forgiving all others. Nope. Some people think I’m a real jerk. Some of it is deserved. Some not. I have no control over what others thing about me. I feel the same about others. So can’t check this box. Sorry. > [@](#): > > I am at peace with myself. I am at peace with the world. It’s more a detente, but sure, check on both. > [@](#): > > I am open to all knowledge. Knowledge as defined by whom? > [@](#): > > I am letting the knowledge reveal truth. Again, as defined by whom? > [@](#): > > I am open to all truth. I am open only to truth. Check and check. > [@](#): > > I am living in truth. I am truth. I do not understand the meaning of this. > [@](#): > > I am in my perfect career now. I am being myself. No, but it’s a process. Check. > [@](#): > > I am open to my perfect loving partner now. Open? Hell, I’m married to her. But she’s not perfect. Just perfect for me. > [@](#): > > I am open to let my life’s purpose reveal itself to me now. It already has. So, check. > [@](#): > > I am ready to receive my good. Check. > [@](#): > > I am courage. I am whole. I am eternal. I have courage. I have all my body parts. Nope. > [@](#): > > I am living in eternity now. I am living in the present now. I am living in a town house now. I don’t know how to live in any other time frame, so check. > [@](#): > > I am loving myself. I am loving all others. Check. Check. > [@](#): > > I am providing good in this world. Subjective but, check. > [@](#): > > I am allowing good into all phases of my life. Check. What’s next? ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/223 "2013-10-11T17:21:16Z")
> [@simster](#): > > thats _never_ a good mantra - its a fleeting thing and changes often based on the needs - rent money vs. old ladies, etc Whatever works for you. Aloha ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/224 "2013-10-11T17:26:13Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Check. Check. … > > What’s next? Kick back and enjoy the ride. Aloha ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/225 "2013-10-11T17:28:16Z")
> [@jsutter](#): > > Let your conscience be your guide. Aloha Have you ever consider a career writing for fortune cookies, because that response was about as helpful as the cookie I got with my chicken chow main last Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/226 "2013-10-11T17:41:10Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Have you ever consider a career writing for fortune cookies, because that response was about as helpful as the cookie I got with my chicken chow main last Wednesday. Very funny. As you pointed out above, my answers are simplistic. Well, I’m simply a simplistic person. I went thru a long and dreary complex period where I struggled to juggle tmi and deny my cognitive dissonance :smack:. I’m over it.😉 Aloha ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/227 "2013-10-11T17:49:59Z")
> [@jsutter](#): > > Very funny. > > As you pointed out above, my answers are simplistic. > > Well, I’m simply a simplistic person. I went thru a long and dreary complex period where I struggled to juggle tmi and deny my cognitive dissonance :smack:. I’m over it.😉 > > Aloha missed the edit What did the fortune cookie have to say? ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/228 "2013-10-11T18:55:20Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So being “harmless” is not an absolute value, just a debit/credit accounting practice. Right? > > Can I rob a liquor store if I give the money to a charity organization that helps sick kids? That is one way to put it. You could rob and give to charity if you wish but I don’t recommend it. Giving to charity is not a credit if you do it to get a credit. The only thing that gives you credit is love. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/229 "2013-10-11T18:58:10Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How many old ladies do I have to help cross the street to justify a bank robbery? My “old lady” count is currently 37, and I am currently in need of rent money. Anything you in love is a plus everything else is graded on your intent. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/230 "2013-10-11T19:08:08Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Check. Check. I do not understand the meaning of that phrase. > Check. Check. > Check. Check. > Doing the best I can. You should see my closet - check! > Nope. Check. > CHECK. > Nope. I’m responsible for raising my kids to be good people and I’m responsible for my cat. > Check. > To the extent that anyone chooses anything, check. > To the extent that anyone controls anything, check. Tru dat. > If you mean generally wishing people in my life well, sure, most of the people, most of the time - check. > To the extent that anyone can be at any given moment in time, check. > Nope. Some people think I’m a real jerk. Some of it is deserved. Some not. I have no control over what others thing about me. I feel the same about others. So can’t check this box. Sorry. > It’s more a detente, but sure, check on both. > Knowledge as defined by whom? > Again, as defined by whom? > Check and check. > I do not understand the meaning of this. > No, but it’s a process. Check. > Open? Hell, I’m married to her. But she’s not perfect. Just perfect for me. > It already has. So, check. > Check. > I have courage. I have all my body parts. Nope. > I am living in a town house now. I don’t know how to live in any other time frame, so check. > Check. Check. > Subjective but, check. > Check. > What’s next? According to your answers I don’t think you are ready yet. The idea is not to analyze them but it simply read them twice a day. Hundreds of people have used this group to good effect. There will be no second step until you have done these for at least two months. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/231 "2013-10-11T19:14:18Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > That is one way to put it. > > You could rob and give to charity if you wish but I don’t recommend it. Giving to charity is not a credit if you do it to get a credit. The only thing that gives you credit is love. Well love don’t cure cancer so I’m speaking strictly from a Robin Hood sense of do-goodery. In other words, I don’t have thousands of dollars to give to hospitals for sick kids and I don’t want the credit for myself. In fact, I wish to remain very anonymous from any authorities like the Sheriff and his deputies. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/232 "2013-10-11T19:19:00Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > According to your answers I don’t think you are ready yet. The idea is not to analyze them but it simply read them twice a day. Hundreds of people have used this group to good effect. There will be no second step until you have done these for at least two months. Ah. So it’s a Pass/Fail sort of thing. Got it. What’s special about a two month minimum? Aren’t there any advanced students who move through quicker than others? Also, what if my answers change from one day to the next? Is this a sort of Zen thing where the answers don’t actually matter, repetition is the thing? ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/233 "2013-10-11T19:33:40Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Ah. So it’s a Pass/Fail sort of thing. Got it. > > What’s special about a two month minimum? Aren’t there any advanced students who move through quicker than others? Also, what if my answers change from one day to the next? Is this a sort of Zen thing where the answers don’t actually matter, repetition is the thing? If you’re interested in moving things along, ask your inner guide sincerely to be put on the fast track. Think you’ve been tested in the past? Watch what you wish for. Aloha ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/234 "2013-10-11T19:44:49Z")
> [@jsutter](#): > > If you’re interested in moving things along, ask your inner guide sincerely to be put on the fast track. Think you’ve been tested in the past? Watch what you wish for. Aloha I don’t know what an “inner guide” means. Do you mean the voice inside your head that usually tells you that you ought not to rob liquor stores even if the money is for a sick kids hospital? If so, yeah… I’ll talk to him. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/235 "2013-10-11T19:49:11Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > Of course, but I don’t know what that has to do with faith. It has to do with the post I originally replied to, which was talking about how you were certain of something because you experienced it. If you’ve ever seen a magic trick or an optical illusion, then you’ve experienced something which you would be wrong to be certain of. [QUOTE=lekatt] Better read that again, I just said their experience would change their perspective. The imagery was my experience. [/QUOTE] Better read that again yourself; you’re claiming that you know their experience would change. When you’ve claimed that you can’t know anyone else’s experience. There is a contradiction. You cannot both say “I do not know what another person’s experince is like” and “This is what a person would experience in this situation”. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/236 "2013-10-12T14:26:23Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Well love don’t cure cancer so I’m speaking strictly from a Robin Hood sense of do-goodery. In other words, I don’t have thousands of dollars to give to hospitals for sick kids and I don’t want the credit for myself. In fact, I wish to remain very anonymous from any authorities like the Sheriff and his deputies. I don’t understand the fear of authority, but I think you would be giving for the right reasons and that reason is concern, caring and love. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/237 "2013-10-12T14:30:12Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Ah. So it’s a Pass/Fail sort of thing. Got it. > > What’s special about a two month minimum? Aren’t there any advanced students who move through quicker than others? Also, what if my answers change from one day to the next? Is this a sort of Zen thing where the answers don’t actually matter, repetition is the thing? Repetition of affirmations will bring about a gradual growth of self-confidence, self-approval and self-love. This will prepare you for the reading and meditation to follow. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/238 "2013-10-12T14:35:11Z")
> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > It has to do with the post I originally replied to, which was talking about how you were certain of something because you experienced it. If you’ve ever seen a magic trick or an optical illusion, then you’ve experienced something which you would be wrong to be certain of. Better read that again yourself; you’re claiming that you know their experience would change. When you’ve claimed that you can’t know anyone else’s experience. There is a contradiction. You cannot both say “I do not know what another person’s experince is like” and “This is what a person would experience in this situation”. Just forget it. Either I am not explaining it so you can understand or you just don’t understand. ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/239 "2013-10-12T14:36:09Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > Repetition of affirmations will bring about a gradual growth of self-confidence, self-approval and self-love. This will prepare you for the reading and meditation to follow. Sufficient quantitative change _always_ results in qualitative change. Aloha ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270/240 "2013-10-12T14:39:44Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > Just forget it. Either I am not explaining it so you can understand or you just don’t understand. You’re learning. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-faith/667270.md?page=13)