I rephrase my rquestion to religious folk that I thought was quite simple.

[Pooky]

Not bad, so much as simply not a compelling reason to believe something.

Do scientists not have faith that their findings will match with their viewpoints/theories? Or do they simply approach science from an arbitrary standpoint hoping to find something out?

[Johnone]

aaaaaannd it begins. This is what OP was waiting for.

It doesn't matter. The truth remains the truth.

[wayfarer]

Everyone believes there's is the right path. You can't all be right but you can all be wrong.

Actually, if what is meant by the correct path is "the path to salvation", then all four can be on this path. Forgive the lengthy reply, and I hope that I am not one of the obfuscators...

A Muslim view can be as follows:

1. Muslims believe that the Muslim can be on the right path, as this person believes and submits to God according to what Muslims believe is the correct path.

2. The Christian can be on the path to salvation, even though Islam would judge Christian beliefs to be unacceptable. This would depend on a number of factors. Also, some Muslim scholars include Hindus in this group (People of the Book) as well, and some do not. This is supported by the Quranic verses:

"Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (Quran 5:69)

and

"Among the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) there are some who believe in God and in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and who are humble before God. They do not sell God's signs for a paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And God is swift at reckoning." (Quran, 3:199)

and

"... There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite God's signs throughout the night, and they prostrate. They believe in God and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. God knows those who guard against evil." (Quran, 3:113-115)

Furthermore, if the Christian/Hindu lived before the time of Prophet Muhammad, they could still be on the path to salvation if they followed the most recent prophet sent to them by God.

God says in the Quran, relating to this:

"To every people (was sent) a messenger: when their messenger comes (before them), the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged." (Quran 10:47)

and

"For We assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command), "Serve God, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom God guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth)." (Quran 16:36)

and

"Verily We sent messengers before thee, among them those of whom We have told thee, and some of whom We have not told thee; and it was not given to any messenger that he should bring a portent save by God's leave, but when God's commandment cometh (the cause) is judged aright, and the followers of vanity will then be lost." (Quran 40:78)

3. The atheist can also be on the path to salvation. And the Muslim scholars who do not place Hindus under point "2." above, place them here.

The rationale for this is that there may be some peoples who live in isolated villages somewhere, or on remote islands, and to this very day, may not have received the Message. They are not Muslim (or believers in God), but Muslim scholars hold that their path may yet be destined to salvation, as they cannot be blamed for their situation.

Also, some may have received the Message, but from poor (bad) or hypocritical ambassadors of the Faith, such as from the likes of Bin Laden and his types. It is virtually impossible, today, for people to claim that the message of Islam did not reach them. However, sometimes this message has been perverted beyond recognition, and only the insane or criminally-minded would buy into it in it's polluted form. In reality then, there exists many who have not received the true message, and these people are also not blameworthy, and can be on the path to salvation (whilst being atheist or Hindu).

[RazedInBlack]

Do scientists not have faith that their findings will match with their viewpoints/theories? Or do they simply approach science from an arbitrary standpoint hoping to find something out?

Its called trial and error. Theres no need for faith as most theories are up for peer review. Scientist learn to accept mistakes and make adjustment accordingly.

[PsyWulf]

Well, there's no reason to presume that the answer will always be faith.

Of course,or it might not,dealing with unknowns is risky like that

In fact, I think there are religious folk (techne and Arthur spring to mind), who would disagree that faith alone (or at all) is the basis for their beliefs.

My personal experiences have had a hand in shaping my beliefs,but the standard response usually to using such things as "proof" is touted as having as much credence as unicorn worship or belief in the FSM so i've learnt to keep it out of discussions

Not bad, so much as simply not a compelling reason to believe something.

Fair enough,though I don't see myself ever flouting faith as a reason to change anybody else's mind. Your path is your own,always

[copacetic]

Do scientists not have faith that their findings will match with their viewpoints/theories? Or do they simply approach science from an arbitrary standpoint hoping to find something out?

It doesn't matter what the scientist has or doesn't have faith about.

[RazedInBlack]

The Muslim guy won't try to convert his friends...neither will the Hindu guy...

Err! Wanna bet?

[copacetic]

Of course,or it might not,dealing with unknowns is risky like that

Not sure I follow.

My personal experiences have had a hand in shaping my beliefs,but the standard response usually to using such things as "proof" is touted as having as much credence as unicorn worship or belief in the FSM so i've learnt to keep it out of discussions

Understandable, but at the end of the day, subjective personal experiences do not form a good basis for presumptions about reality, as most people would agree.

Fair enough,though I don't see myself ever flouting faith as a reason to change anybody else's mind. Your path is your own,always

It's good of you to hold this view, but the reality is most people (religious and otherwise) don't adhere to this, not even remotely, hence why there's all this confrontation. If people truly believed this, and acted accordingly, well, hell, we'd all be friends and living in peace!

[abandonallhope]

But I want answers from the believers here Don't think I'm going to get any. They don't like questions like this..

Any guesses as to why believers do not like this question ? Hint : It's not because there isn't an answer.

I just hope you don't think you've stumbled onto something profound here, your exact same question has been asked in so many forms millenia before you were around, and it has been answered time and again and again and again as well.

[PsyWulf]

It's good of you to hold this view, but the reality is most people (religious and otherwise) don't adhere to this, not even remotely, hence why there's all this confrontation. If people truly believed this, and acted accordingly, well, hell, we'd all be friends and living in peace!

I avoid PD and discussions like this with a passion,as do most of faith because of the jibes and baiting usually coming whenever "proof" is forthcoming

Think half the problems here come from those who passionately disagree and refuse to accept the possibility of others not accepting their version of facts and truths as the only way

[Creepster]

Ok whatever you do dont invite all of them to the same braai.The Muslim may go POP and blow the Christian to hell and gone and take everyone with them

[copacetic]

I avoid PD and discussions like this with a passion,as do most of faith because of the jibes and baiting usually coming whenever "proof" is forthcoming

You are of course under no obligation to involve yourself. The jibes and baiting come from both sides, it must be said.

Think half the problems here come from those who passionately disagree and refuse to accept the possibility of others not accepting their version of facts and truths as the only way

Well, this fundamentally describes any 'team' with an involvement in this issue. People like yourself, who are not like this, are the exception, rather than the rule.

[wayfarer]

Ok whatever you do dont invite all of them to the same braai.The Muslim may go POP and blow the Christian to hell and gone and take everyone with them

Did you read the post above ?

[Creepster]

Did you read the post above ?

The only point I care about is that they can strap explosives to their body's and run into a crowd and blow themselves up.Religious behavour can be dangerous.Especialy if it is their Alfa and Omega!

[PsyWulf]

Zealots regardless of their beliefs are dangerous,be it bombing abortion clinics,torching cars or blowing up buildings. It's sad that the actions of extremists and those who step over the lines become the face of their religion