All true, and well said.As sentient beings, we are forced by our nature to adhere to some standard of knowledge. What constitutes "knowledge"? When any individual can gainsay a model without stepping up to the plate and showing why their model is true, and show cause, and display testable evidence then they are, by definition of what we know knowledge is to be, out of the game. This holds true for all claims, be they of science, or philosophy, or of theism.
Knowledge isn't understanding. Knowledge isn't wisdom.
All three require faith. Knowledge requires faith in the human mind. Understanding and wisdom require faith in something more.
I think I understand your argument but would offer a different perspective toward faith. Both the theist and the materialist require some level or faith or trust (respectively) in order to accept their worldviews are reality. The theist's theological faith is an acceptance of the existence of a divine being who via supernatural means establishes all of reality including the laws of nature and logic which allow for the existence of reality.
The materialist relies on a priori logic that states that reality is self-caused, and empirical events allow for the existence of knowledge. I have empirical trust that the laws of nature operate in ways that are measurable, consistent and predictable. Overwhelming, this is what we see in the reality surrounding us.
I conclude materialism because in my worldview, it does not help to add the supernatural to the overall questions regarding existence -- in fact, gods only add an extra layer of mystery, and one that both materialists and theists alike agree precludes any answering (theists generally agree that their gods are "unknowable, incomprehnsible", etc). I don't see why one would add that extra impossibility to existence, and while presently the materialist is burdened with problems of "what was before existence and how do we prove we know what we know?" it is not impossible to conceive a method would be discovered to put those concerns to rest. The theist admits that his incomprehensible god guarantees no such method is available to mankind.
Late edit- BTW, I do appreciate the stimulating conversation.
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