Tools and (you guessed it) Reason.

What are we getting into? The life after death discussion?That's a whole 'nother topic which I'll be glad to delve into but it is for a related but truly more esoteric discussion.

Family tradition is always a big factor.In my father's case, he was surrounded by Democrats not only in family, but religious figures, neighbors, and current political leaders. It was just the way it was, no room for any other way. Not a good excuse, but independent thinking was a rare phenomenon.

"Why would anyone tie their support of capitalism To faith"

Many reasons Dobrien. One is upbringing. Religious faith may be running in the family and the individual is not making the conscious connection and decide for himself that the two are not related.

Perhaps, however our tools are also based on our ability to conceive something may be there, to extend out natural senses. I have a feeling once contact is made outside our species, however you want to view it, we'll find we never thought to look/listen/perceive in the way necessary to make the discovery ourselves.

Yes, with tools we can extend our senses to sense these things, showing that they do exist.

Varying wavelengths, varying forms of visible light, alternate cosmic resonances, etc.

All it takes is recognizing that we humans have a limited set of observational tools and the possibilities become fascinatingly endless.

It seems to me that if there was something out there that our senses could never sense then it would be like it did not exist.

I'm a Conservative. I have faith, not as much as most would like but I do believe there is more to existence than what our senses allow for. However, I do not tie my conservatism to Faith. My conservatism is bound the US Constitution which derives its foundation on the principles of Faith. Capitalism is not aligned with Faith as I see it except that, if done properly, should should provide an environment where everyone is treated as equals(consumers) and provides everyone an opportunity to participate while striving to make the most of their innate(profitable) abilities so they can fend for themselves (and enjoy liberty). For the origin of these innate abilities I again differ to Faith since some people just CAN in certain areas (born with a natural ability, predisposed, etc.) where most people cannot without a ton of work (eg. my son and guitar vs me with guitar).

My 2 bits.

I'm a pretty good actor. I determined to pretend to be a tough guy. I acted as if I could beat the tar out of anyone who challenged me. It worked. My friend Joe, a quiet intellect type, always being bullied started walking home with me and was not bullied again even when in middle school. Just look them in the eye, scowl and growl a bit..

Less than $5 but more than $1.

Sure. But what and how it manifests, still a mystery.

But an increase in your health and hospitalization bill.Anorexia or just plain starvation?

So progressive liberalism...is actually a Faith and not a valid provable idea...ya, ya...that's the ticket.
Agreed in spades!...oops...can we say that these days?

Can't wait to turn that around on them...laughing

That is a very good possibility.

Thanks.

You were looking for that response from the bully. Not being flippant but after you hoped that he would ignore you and he did for a short period of time was a validation of your belief. He probably ignored you in the past but since you were not actively looking for such a situation, you didn't actively remember it.

Here's another one...

I've noticed an interesting coincidence, when it comes to "disposable income".

For instance...if I have $5 in my pocket, I never seem to come up with any more (excluding payday). That five dollars just sits there.

On the other hand, if I spend my last $5, more money appears...either I get an unexpected refund, or someone remembers to pay me the $20 they owed me. This isn't consistent, but it's happened enough times that it's caused me to take notice of the effect.

It's really weird how this happens, and may just be coincidence. I was just wondering if anyone else ever has this happen to them?

Aside from capitalism...

Years ago, I was a bullied youngster. During that period, there was one particular bully that I could count on to make my life nearly unbearable.

One night, I basically "prayed" that this bully would leave me alone. I didn't pray to God (I didn't believe in Him any more then, than I do, now), but to whatever power there might be, in the universe.

The next day, this kid virtually ignored me, which was as near to a miracle as I could ever imagine. Of course, it only lasted for a time, but I never forgot that particular instance.

What made the kid leave me alone on that particular day? Almost 50 years later and I still ask myself that question. I still don't believe in God, but I do wonder, at times, if there IS something out there.

Any ideas?

Not here. How is one to discuss faith and reason when someone with faith is banned by board rules to discuss it? Kinda one-sided.
.That's okay. Generally, I avoid what me dino calls a bash a believer boobytrap, though such may not be the intention.

I read an article recently by a woman who claimed to be living on the energy of the universe and only an occasional burger every six months. I so want to believe, do you know how drastically this could reduce my grocery bill?

You seem rational enough to defend the use of the mind against those who manage to get ideas by having lightbulbs pop on over their heads.

I always mind you, if you mean using my mind to try to see what you are getting at. I do not necessarily agree with you many times. But keep it coming. I have had 78 years with agreeing maybe 20% of the time with my fellow humans. Just hoping that reason will win the battle for knowledge.

I do not approach Capitalism (laissez-faire, of course), primarily as an economic system. I approach it as the necessary result of respect for individual rights. I base that idea on the fact that the individual is the entity which literally exists, as evidenced by the physical senses, which are man's means of perceiving reality, and on the use of reason, which interprets and organizes the material thus provided. Not on faith or on supernaturalism.

"Where, where?" replied the man looking to get breakfast.

Check out how well an intangible food satisfies your hunger.