Well definitions may vary, and you could certainly say that faith of the kind you describe, Joe, is not empirical. But I don't preclude it from being rational, because the measure of rationality is how one acquires data and how one processes it once one ha sit. You have some intuitive data which you sense is valid even though there is no obvious way to render it empirical, and you have the strength to keep your own counsel built on your own sens eof truth. There is nothing irrational about that UNLESS you admit some sort of rule that says everyone must cleave ONLY to what is demonstrable, but that is a bit reminiscent of the early Bolshies or something. I don't think faith is irrational, but I think trying to induce it in others by talking about it usually is, because the best you usually get is a poor second-hand copy.


A