Do you see any benefits to religious faith?

[Neo-Scholastic]

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Sounds (I dare not say looks) like blind faith is what they were going for to me.

Maybe. I take it to mean more something more like the notion that some people require signs and wonders before they will accept the divinity of Christ. I would say that the believers to whom Jesus referred were those who already believed in God as revealed by the Torah and Prophetic Scriptures and who subsequently affirmed that He was the Messiah based His origin, instruction, and the testimony of those who knew Him. Romans 10:17 seems to support this interpretation.

However, Hebrews 10:1 would seem to support your interpretation.

[bennyboy]

[bennyboy]

--edit--
I've changed some of the content of my previous post. Not sure if Jörmungandr and Jesster will want to keep their kudos until a re-read. Just giving you a chance to make sure you still agree with me. . .

[Arkilogue]

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Sounds (I dare not say looks) like blind faith is what they were going for to me.

Would Jesus always be around to preform works? No.

Did Jesus ask for people to just take him at his word? No.


John 10:38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

[Arkilogue]

[Mudhammam]

Sounds (I dare not say looks) like blind faith is what they were going for to me.

Would Jesus always be around to preform works? No.

Did Jesus ask for people to just take him at his word? No.


John 10:38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

Right, works such as talking to the glorified bodies of Moses and Elijah on a mountain, teleporting through closed doors, and ascending all the way into the clouds! all of which were to be believed on the basis of apostolic tradition. I can hardly perceive the difference between such divine persuasion when weighed against the "pistis" which I am obliged to consider in the demonstrations of Aristotle.

[Arkilogue]

Would Jesus always be around to preform works? No.

Did Jesus ask for people to just take him at his word? No.


John 10:38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

Right, works such as talking to the glorified bodies of Moses and Elijah on a mountain, teleporting through closed doors, and ascending all the way into the clouds! all of which were to be believed on the basis of apostolic tradition.  I can hardly perceive the difference between such divine persuasion when weighed against the "pistis" which I am obliged to consider in the demonstrations of Aristotle.

You're barking up the wrong tree.

Jesus allegedly preformed many miracles/healings witnessed by many at the time, several times. A crowd of 5000 according the the loaves and fishes story.

It was a demonstration of power to the people who needed it.

[Kitan Etos]

Allegedly.

[Kitan Etos]

Religious faith is mere delusion. In the end, people need to learn to discard the delusion. They need to learn that it is healthier to understand and accept the harsh truth rather than to become victims to the comfortable lie.

[Arkilogue]

Allegedly.

Yes. And self consistent in the story with faith based on evidential demonstration. "...believe on the works that I do."

He didn't say "take me at my word" and then go on to demonstrate nothing.

What is faith without works?

Jame 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.