Have you ever heard a person compliment another by saying something to the effect that the depth of their faith is very admirable? I've heard this many times, even when the person giving the compliment doesn't agree with the point of view of the other.
This makes no sense to me.
Basically, what the person is saying is that the other person's ability to dismiss reason and cling fervently to myth and superstition is a quality that we should admire.
Good golly, why?
Personally, I find such ardent faith to be deserving of my pity, not my admiration. I think it is absurd that anyone should hold this behavior as a high standard. It is abominable.
More admirable, by far, is the person of faith who will question the faith when reality indicates a need to do so. When the person who believes in literal biblical creation stops and says, "Wait a moment… The evidence of the fossil record and DNA testing and all these other things sure indicates that evolution is real…" I can admire that. When the believer in faith healing stops and says, "Gee, this really doesn't work after all…" I can admire that. When the follower of a particular evangelist stops and says, "Hey… he's a phony just after my money…" I can admire that.
But for those who see these realities and reject them… Those who cling to creationism, faith healing, and evangelist worship… I have no admiration at all for them.
Nor can I admire anyone who maintains faith in anything that has not a shred of evidence to support it. I just don't understand what is admirable about not using reason.
