lucky underwear vs faith

[WWLD]

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I got into a discussion with a christian friend of mine about faith. He claims he knows atheist that have lucky underwear, and believe it actually helps.

He said: "okay say 2 people are going into a war. One guy wears he's 'lucky scarf' around his right arm, the other guy kissing a cross for good fortune. How are those not the same thing?"

I said because the one with the scarf doesn't worship the scarf, he doesn't think that the scarf created the world, he doesn't think that the scarf will send him to eternal paradise if he wears it, etc. and that it wasn't magical. It only gives him confidence.

He then asked me to explain where the confidence comes from, and I had a hard time explaining it because to me there was really nothing else to say.

so I need suggestions. What is the difference between faith in god and lucky underwear? And how do I explain the confidence part?

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Are we to assume that the guy wearing the scarf is atheist and the cross-kisser is god-squad? If so then I would say that the atheist merely HOPES that wearing his lucky scarf might save his skin, whereas the believer, through the cross, PRAYS TO HIS IMAGINARY FRIEND IN THE SKY for a similar fate.
I think using the word " confidence " was wrong.
In the context I suggest it was about " hope ".

yes assuming that the guy with the scarf is atheist and the cross kisser is god-squad.
hope may be a better word. or comfort. But whats the difference between hoping the scarf will bring him luck and the other guy hoping that God will save him?