> Actually, there is no reason to think the two are mutually exclusive.
> Speaking only for myself, I would simply say that if I did not
> think there was evidence of God's existence, I'm not sure I would
> still have faith (after all, I wasn't raised to believe in God).
That reminds me of John 20:24-29. In my opinion there is no better
illustration of the profound difference between scientific skepticism (as
demonstrated by Thomas) and faith. I was raised to believe in God, but as a
scientist who sees no evidence of the existence of God that cannot be
explained just as well by assuming naturalistic materialism and scientism, I
would not believe in God if somewhere within me there was no core of
certainty based on faith alone that God truly exists.
When it comes to God and Christianity, I see faith as a rock whereas I see a
reliance upon evidence as sand. What can be proven by evidence can also be
disproven by evidence (like building a house on sand), but what is based on
faith is everlasting (like building a house on rock).
Just a personal testimonial for you to consider.
Kevin L. O'Brien