Do you see any benefits to religious faith?

[Arkilogue]

Here is the problem with "modern day faith"

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—


No amount of belief makes substance or evidence, not from yourself means NOT FROM YOUR SELF.  It is a gift OF God.

The negative consequences of losing this definition in our spiritual journey/operation, to meaning "really really really strong man-made belief to the point of ignoring all else", cannot be overstated.

Yes, but you are saying that as if you assume that the God is real,
and therefore your faith is "His gift to you".

You're rejecting, wholesale, two distinct possibilities:

1.  God doesn't exist at all...and you've merely convinced yourself that He does exist

(and therefore reject the idea that your God's existence,
and also your Faith in Him, are both creations of your own mind;
...Much like a stalker convinces himself that the girl he adores
MUST love him, when in fact she is oblivious to his existence....or actually thinks he's a creep).

2.  God DOES exist, but you've convinced yourself that your faith in Him must be "His Gift" to you,
when in fact He MAY ACTUALLY EXIST, but is a monster,
and your belief that He is a benefactor is sadly misplaced;

(Much like someone who believes that because polar bears look cute and cuddly,
then it MUST follow that if they reach through the bars of the cage just to gently pet the bear,
that the bear will love them....and will not shred the tissue from their bones).

None of that has anything to do with the definition/operation of the word in the context and culture at the time of it's use.

Great analogy BTW!

Here's mine: It's like someone saying "Superman is from the planet Samson and his weakness is Samsonite." And I'm saying "Whoa, whoa, whoa slow down man, you clearly have some shit mixed up! That is not at all what the comic says....I know, I know it's "just a story" but if Superman does turn out to be real, and he's a major dick, you're not going to improve your situation by throwing your luggage at him. What you are looking for is called "kryptonite." You can't make it....it just falls from the sky.....like a gift. Good luck!"