Why is faith considered a virtue?

[chakka35]

Religionists on this site and elsewhere in the world of belief always quote faith as a virtue, something to be proud of.

Why?

'Faith' is a euphemism for 'blind credulity' or 'belief without the need for evidence'. Why is that something to admire?

Suppose I were to claim that there are unicorns in the Amazon forests. Asked for the evidence for my claim, I reply that I have no evidence, purely faith. Would people step back from further questioning and say in hushed tones "Oh, my word, isn't his faith wonderful! We must respect that."?

Of course they wouldn't. They'd dismiss my claim with a shrug and a vague idea that I was some sort of a nutter. So why is 'faith' looked at in such a different light when it refers to gods and the like?

[woofgang]

sorry Mike but as someone with faith I'd like to say that I consider the current A of C a complete and total idiot;albeit a well meaning one.
The problem that i have is that chakka assumes that the statement that "faith is considered a virtue" is axiomatic. I would question his whole question. I am not sure that in the UK at least, faith is considered a virtue and certainly not sure that people step back and say "oh its wonderful, we should respect that"
And I an deffo certain that at least in my case, faith is not a euphemism or even synonymous with blind credulity.
So chakka35 what is your evidence for your statement....or do you just believe it without objective evidence? ie do you have faith in your statement :-)

[mibn2cweus]

Happiness: The realisation of a hope and the fulfillment of a dream, commensurate with your struggle to achieve them, but most of all in the end the certain knowledge that in some small way the world is a better place for your having lived.

Zabadak, As I am unable to establish, in his absence that this is in keeping with the intended spirit of Chakka’s thread I encourage you to submit any further questions regarding these matters in a thread of your own. I know that I’d be interested to see the opinions and comments others might wish to share as well.

Chakka, I apologise for any part I played in diverting your thread from your intended subject but as you know, when the cat's away . . . ~o">

[Zabadak]

Thank Mibn, I like that a lot, and in the interests of furthering happiness, will refrain from further comment.

[jomifl]

mike 111.. the archbisop of canterbury may be great intellectual, infortunately instead of standing on the shoulders of giants and thus seeing further, he cannot see beyond the walls of the deep pit in which he is standing.