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My point is that it takes a degree of faith to believe something is true even if it is not proven.
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I think we need to define what each of us mean when we use the word "faith". For me, it is a non-rational belief in something which lacks empirical evidence. For example, a Christian might say, "I know there is no evidence concerning the existance of God, but I have faith that he exists."
So by my definition, it most certainly does not require a degree of "faith" to accept that the big bang theory is the best available model to explain the origin of the universe, since there is ample empiricial evidence to support it. No, it is not a complete theory, and yes, there are areas where further research is necessary, but nobody has ever claimed anything to the contrary.
As for the principles of physics breaking down at the big bang, that itself is an entire field of study, one to which Stephan Hawking (most famously) has persued for his entire scientific career. It is postulated that creating a theory that combines general relativity with quantum mechanics could explain this, but as of yet, no theory has been developed.
troutman's last post with the below quoted text (which I will repeat for emphais) accurately describes how I view the concept of "faith".
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Those of us who are atheists and believe that everything evolved from natural forces, nearly universally maintain that theists and supernaturalists have a very weak case for their belief, weaker even than the case for Bigfoot, Nessie, the Tooth Fairy, or Santa Claus. But, more important, we are convinced by the overwhelming nature of the evidence that natural forces have brought about the universe as we know it. Thus, our disbelief in a supernatural creator is not an act of faith, and therefore, not non-rational as are those of theists and Christian apologists. However, if Christian apologists insist on claiming that their version of Christianity and the rejections of their views are equally acts of faith, I will insist that the apologists have a non-rational faith, while their opponents have a rational faith. Though I think it would be less dishonest and less misleading to admit that atheists and naturalists do not base their beliefs on faith in any sense close to that of religious faith.
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