[Sca-cooks] OT: Faith and challenges

[Terry Decker]

For any consistent mathematical system complicated enough to do basic 
arithmetic, there are statements that can not be proven true or false within 
the the given mathematical system (paraphrasing Godel's Incompleteness 
Theorem).  Similar self referencing contradictions appear in other fields.

For practical purposes, we make certain assumptions about these 
contradictory statements and soldier on.  Thus faith, in its broadest 
definition, is a part of all human endeavors.  As individuals, we accept the 
"mysteries" of our selected bodies of knowledge to apply them to our 
individual ends.  Faith encompasses divinity or the lack thereof, the 
righteousness of dogma, the recitude of science, the reality of art, the 
ability to persevere and all things human.  The principles one holds, the 
basic truths, laws and assumptions that form the fabric of an individual's 
universe, are the basis of faith.  To make choices based on those principles 
is its exercise.

Bear