First off, way to be understanding and sensitive of the issue at hand. Good job.

Secondly, according to this logic, all mankind has ever done is "copied" off one another. Everything we have, from language to technology to city planning has come from somewhere else.

Thirdly, haven't you ever heard Picasso?

"Good artists imitate, great artists steal."

Reality is subjective. So is faith. I quote Kierkegaard. "Abraham believed, and therefore he was young; for he who always hopes for the best becomes old, deceived by life, and he who is always prepared for the worst becomes old prematurely; but he who retains faith retains eternal youth. "

My personal reasons for belief (in whatever) come from direct experience with something larger than myself, the need to fill the emptiness in my heart with something that is not egotistical nor fleeting (though, granted, self-serving, but what the fuck isn't?)

But in my opinion (because that's what all of this is, all it ever has been), what you believe in doesn't matter so much as if you believe in something...whether that's yourself, reason, God, love, the fucking RNC for what it's worth-- without faith in something we end up finding no reason to continue living.

And as far as "critical thinking" goes, you can poke logical holes into any theory worth a grain of salt. Religion and reason aren't anywhere near each other, especially as opposites. It would be like Robert Downey Jr trying to have a conversation with an ancient Sumerian. It's just different ways of thinking.

So have faith.

Reality is subjective. So is faith. I quote Kierkegaard. "Abraham believed, and therefore he was young; for he who always hopes for the best becomes old, deceived by life, and he who is always prepared for the worst becomes old prematurely; but he who retains faith retains eternal youth. "

My personal reasons for belief (in whatever) come from direct experience with something larger than myself, the need to fill the emptiness in my heart with something that is not egotistical nor fleeting (though, granted, self-serving, but what the fuck isn't?)

But in my opinion (because that's what all of this is, all it ever has been), what you believe in doesn't matter so much as if you believe in something...whether that's yourself, reason, God, love, the fucking RNC for what it's worth-- without faith in something we end up finding no reason to continue living.

And as far as "critical thinking" goes, you can poke logical holes into any theory worth a grain of salt. Religion and reason aren't anywhere near each other, especially as opposites. It would be like Robert Downey Jr trying to have a conversation with an ancient Sumerian. It's just different ways of thinking.

So have faith.