I suppose then that it comes down to whether there is for you or for me an alternative to reason. I’m educated, I’ve been through countless hours of philosophy classes, etc., and I greatly value reason. On the other hand, I believe in faith. When reason fails, faith abounds. Indeed, who needs faith when something is objectively, scientifically, and rationally proven to be. Faith is the knowledge of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. That sustains me, it doesn’t you. I’ll promise not to throw out reason, why don’t you give faith a fighting chance.
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The sacrifice
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Which knowledge pays is better than great gifts
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Offered by wealth, since gifts’ worth—O my Prince!
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120
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Lies in the mind which gives, the will that serves:
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And these are gained by reverence, by strong search,
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By humble heed of those who see the Truth
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And teach it. Knowing Truth, thy heart no more
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Will ache with error, for the Truth shall show
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125
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All things subdued to thee, as thou to Me.
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Moreover, Son of Pandu! wert thou worst
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Of all wrong-doers, this fair ship of Truth
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Should bear thee safe and dry across the sea
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Of thy transgressions. As the kindled flame
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130
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Feeds on the fuel till it sinks to ash,
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So unto ash, Arjuna! unto nought
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The flame of Knowledge wastes works’ dross away!
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There is no purifier like thereto
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In all this world, and he who seeketh it
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135
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Shall find it—being grown perfect—in himself.
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Believing, he receives it when the soul
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Masters itself, and cleaves to Truth, and comes—
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Possessing knowledge—to the higher peace,
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The uttermost repose. But those untaught,
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140
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And those without full faith, and those who fear
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Are shent; no peace is here or other where,
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No hope, nor happiness for whoso doubts.
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He that, being self-contained, hath vanquished doubt,
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Disparting self from service, soul from works,
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145
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Enlightened and emancipate, my Prince!
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Works fetter him no more! Cut then atwin
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With sword of wisdom, Son of Bharata!
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This doubt that binds thy heart-beats! cleave the bond
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Born of thy ignorance! Be bold and wise!
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150
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Give thyself to the field with me! Arise!
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Chapter IV, lines 118-151 of the Bhagavad-Gîtâ,
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entitled “Jnana-Yôg,” or “The Book of
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the Religion of Knowledge”
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