Have the atheists taken over the Church? Sign seen at WC Church

"Reason is the Greatest Enemy that Faith Has!" Sign at Westwood Christian Assembly

Ok.  We could just put this up and let everyone note the irony.  But in the interests of informed discussion, I am here posting the definition of reason:

rea⋅son

–noun

1. a basis or cause, as for some belief, action, fact, event, etc.: the reason for declaring war.
2. a statement presented in justification or explanation of a belief or action.
3. the mental powers concerned with forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences.
4. sound judgment; good sense.
5. normal or sound powers of mind; sanity.
6. Logic. a premise of an argument.
7. Philosophy.

a. the faculty or power of acquiring intellectual knowledge, either by direct understanding of first principles or by argument.
b. the power of intelligent and dispassionate thought, or of conduct influenced by such thought.
c. Kantianism. the faculty by which the ideas of pure reason are created.

–verb (used without object)

8. to think or argue in a logical manner.
9. to form conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.
10. to urge reasons which should determine belief or action.

–verb (used with object)

11. to think through logically, as a problem (often fol. by out).
12. to conclude or infer.
13. to convince, persuade, etc., by reasoning.
14. to support with reasons.

15. bring (someone) to reason, to induce a change of opinion in (someone) through presentation of arguments; convince: The mother tried to bring her rebellious daughter to reason.
16. by reason of, on account of; because of: He was consulted about the problem by reason of his long experience.
17. in or within reason, in accord with reason; justifiable; proper: She tried to keep her demands in reason.
18. stand to reason, to be clear, obvious, or logical: With such an upbringing it stands to reason that the child will be spoiled.
19. with reason, with justification; properly: The government is concerned about the latest crisis, and with reason.

Origin:
1175–1225; ME resoun, reisun (n.) < OF reisun, reson < L ratiōn- (s. of ratiō) ratio
I leave it to you dear reader to plumb the depths of irony inherent in that sign.

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6 Responses to “Have the atheists taken over the Church? Sign seen at WC Church”

  1. Don’t forget the meaning of “faith”

    faith
    n.
    1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
    2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief, trust.
    3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one’s supporters.
    4. often Faith Christianity The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God’s will.
    5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
    6. A set of principles or beliefs.

    I think there is definitely a balance between [Scientific] Reasoning and Faith in Christianity. I guess I don’t see the irony.

  2. I am not sure the author meant to state that, “faith is the greatest enemy that reason has,” but it follows logically from his premise. That being so, the author posits of the central premises of atheism, which is that theism (faith, dogma) is antithetical to reason. In that regard, faith is more than a “secure belief in God,” but an antagonist of reason and the use of reason. For example, the belief held by creationists that the world is only 6,000 years old despite all scientific evidence to the contrary. I don’t wish to engage in the full scale argument on theism but, given the recent brouhaha in Olympia over a harmless sign espousing atheism, I find this particular sign indeed ironic.

  3. OMG!

  4. Wow.

  5. 1 Peter 3:15 probably isn’t very popular at that church.

    “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

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