Faith is the excuse we give ourselves to believe things without good reason

[Starboard Tack]

121. Why is deluding oneself not a valid choice?

Especially when the one choosing does not see it as delusional. It's always a choice. Accepting one's very existence as real is a choice. The fact that others may perceive your choice as delusional doesn't make it so for you. It can be argued that in every difference of opinion, one person or the other is delusional. Maybe both are delusional, but the two dimensional mind dictates that only one, if either, can be right. There lies the conundrum. When we apply this to the question of God existing or not, it is essential that the theist first explain his own personal concept of God. In my experience, that can range from the old man with a beard in the sky to the Universe itself with no personification and everything in between. I find most people treat biblical texts as metaphors and choose the ones that suit their purpose. Most people are moderate in their beliefs. But those on the fringe make the most noise. Same with atheists. I've been an atheist for over fifty years and have rarely encountered any animosity from anyone of faith and when I did, it wasn't because of my atheism. I digress.