Why Is Faith Considered A Virtue?

[chakka35]

I’d like some Christian to explain, please, why ‘faith’ is regarded as a virtue.

Faith is belief without evidence, more brutally described as blind credulity. Why is that good? Jesus is supposed to have said to Thomas (John 20:29) “…blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed”.

This seems to me to open the gates to making all beliefs respectable. Not only can I believe in astrology, magic crystals, leylines, unicorns and the like but I must be praised for such beliefs in the face of no evidence. Since the pass mark is zero I graduate with flying colours every time. Blessed am I, a place in heaven secured.

Someone please explain.

[Khandro]

Does that outburst of nonsense distinguish Christopher Hitchens from "other primates"?

[mibn2cweus]

Khandro
Does that outburst of nonsense distinguish Christopher Hitchens from "other primates"?
20:00 Tue 09th Jul 2013

Apparently, only for such primates as those capable of distinguishing an 'outburst of nonsense' from a well reasoned refutation of the reputed 'virtue of faith'.

[naomi24]

Write on, Mibs! :o)

[jomifl]

I had a neighbour who survived a Japanese POW camp. If his 'faith' helped him survive, it didn't help him forgive the Japanese.

[jomifl]

What may appear to be nonsense to some primates makes perfect sense to those with a more developed intellect.

[Khandro]

jomifl; //If his 'faith' helped him survive, it didn't help him forgive the Japanese.//
The subject of discussion is the former; faith, and you don't amplify the part it played in your neighbour's plight. The latter (forgiveness) is another issue which I would be pleased to explore with you further.