We confuse faith, logic at great peril

Published 12:01 am Monday, November 16, 2009

The headline on a Thursday letter on gay marriage, “Logic falters in recent letter,” would be far better applied to his/her own letter. The previous writer had maintained that people who approve of second marriages even though a biblical passage specifically prohibits them should likewise tolerate gay marriage or acknowledge their hypocrisy. I have no problem with that writer’s logic.

I do, however, have a problem being lectured on logic by someone that is so carried away with their religion based self-righteousness that they cannot even consider the possibility that others do not share their premise that the Bible, fly specs, translation errors, internal contradictions and all, is the immutable and crystal clear word of the only possible God.

While religion can certainly motivate good acts, it has also been the rationale for much that is evil by any objective standard. Crass intolerance, bigotry, wars, genocide, suicide bombers, torture and fratricide on Army bases have all hidden behind and been motivated by sincerely held religious beliefs.

Logic is restrained and compelling because it is tied to reality. Faith’s sole requirement (pun intended) is that it be comforting and convenient. We confuse faith and logic at great peril.

Ken Dammand
Marysville