J'accuse!

I accuse my friend, John Stegeman of hypocrisy, heinous duplicity and deliberate deception. I condemn him to living death, and eternal hunger for living blood.

To make a long background story short, John learned something about himself. He learned that his faith in God is paramount, it stands alone. No matter what raw experience life can or will throw his way, or the logical implications of those experiences, John will view them as tests of faith only. Faith is his one essential thing, the rock of his life, around which all other experience revolves, and against which all is to be judged.

That seems reckless and disturbing to me, but that's really beside the point. This isn't about me. The point is that reason is not an equal to faith. It's worth is not absolute, it's a transitory thing. While useful in everyday situations that don't conflict with faith, it is just gravy. If it jives with faith, then goodie goodie. If in conflict, then it is a thing to be endured, not considered.

However, I submit these statements where John seems to augment faith or faith-based positions with reason:

"To be able to hold fast and strong to beliefs can be admirable, but to cling to a belief you desperately want to be true is weak."

"The issue with your argument is that you are making yourself the judge of whether a life is acceptable or worthy. " [on abortion, about which the Catholic Church has a pretty strong opinion]
 
"I also oppose contraceptives and am against premarital sex but I don't impose that on anyone as engaging in those things are only sinful (again from my beliefs) to the individuals whereas abortion is killing an innocent person"

And the most damning...
 
"Faith and reason aren't opposing things. They are intertwined. God's word and world are revealed better to us with reason."
 
No! Absolutely not, and by your own admission! Reason does not have something to say about God's word. God's word has something to say about reason! As Alex said in a comment, if you serve God because it is logical, then logic is your God, and not the Lord. Not just that but if your faith is enhanced by logic, then it is not faith that you've gained but only logic.
 
What purpose is there for you to argue about matters like abortion where your faith has already decisively and irrevocably judged? When people debate in good faith, they are putting an ante on the table. That being the possibility that they could be swayed, given a persuasive enough argument. You are incapable of that kind of risk in matters relevant to faith. No argument could ever really sway you, not significantly. You risk nothing, other than your time. Isn't that deceptive?
 
If reason is something that can only add to faith, not subtract from it, then you are playing with a loaded deck. If you win, then hooray! Your reason was the most sound, collect your reward! If you lose, then the contest never really mattered because "It's my belief" and the rest of us must respect that. Stalemate.
 
Is it fair to sit in an unassailable eagle's nest of faith, while you look down and use logic to snipe at the arguments of others? Is it sportsmanlike? Does it require any virtue or character, like courage or determination? No. It's essentially hunting a caged animal. A tame killing where spectators can sit back and admire the style. A lot of sound and fury, it signifies nothing.
 
Intended or unintended, malice or no, the effect is the same. Bad Truthsmanship. I read it. I understood it. I condemn it.
 
Maybe you consider those quotes to be "water under the bridge" since, after all, you've learned something new about the nature of your faith. I can happily accept that. But be honest, and state matters of faith as just that. Just the simple fact. You were playing a double game. But I squeezed you, I hammered you until you chose your side. You have made your choices, sir! You make yourself comfortable with that...