Expect vs Faith

   I would like to make a brief statement about the claim that atheism requires faith and is in itself a religion (which I suppose is an attempt to delegitimize atheism in some way). You can see that to "expect" something is not the the same as having "faith" in something. You can expect a treatment for an illness to be developed or a mysterious question to be eventually explained if it is reasonable or probable (the illness being studied by people that have previously developed treatment for similar illness or by observing advances in the field of that illness, or by proven creative brilliant minds analyzing whatever mystery). Faith is expectation without a call for reason or probability and based solely on trust. There is a difference there. An atheist and anyone else for that matter can resonably expect something will eventually happen based on probability and previous occurance without it being termed "faith".

faith
2 a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs.

expect
2 : to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of

3 : suppose, think

4 a : to consider probable or certain.

Hope

Hope is not necessary to life or to human existence. Hope is like a diamond (no pun meant) in that it is something pretty but it is a luxury, it holds an implied value over a practical value. It (diamond) looks pretty but it is still just a piece of rock. I believe understanding and appreciating the way things are as they are presented is more valuable than hope. That also keeps us from being complacent or expecting a situation to resolve itself and makes us more industrious in finding solutions to our problems, so hope should take it's rightful place behind the failure of all else. Our greatest gift is to allow ourselves appreciation of our days. When you were born, you had more or less the promise of one day. One day to take in all of the colors and sounds and tastes and emotions. Everything after that however...all of your days thereafter are not promised. So you should savor them and appreciate them in the present. This doesn't necessarily mean you should run off and climb the highest mountain, become the worlds leading whatever, or bury your head in study to solve the great riddle...unless you want to. It means when you take a good deep breath, or you eat a good meal (or even a can of stewed tomatoes or a can of tuna), or someone says they love you or you feel love for someone else....appreciate it, you won't always have that. My grandmother used to say, "Nothing is forever. Not love, not pain, not anger, not joy. You aren't promised tomorrow." It was her mantra and it stuck with me. Life being temporary puts a higher premium on it.