As A Matter of Faith: What We See Vs. What We Can't

I've always thought that the reason I struggle with faith is because I am someone who wants to SEE THINGS FOR MYSELF. You can tell me a hundred times that "when I do such-and-such I get a big fat error" and what will I do? That's right: try "such-and-such" myself to see what happens.

It's not personal -- I just have a hard time accepting people at their word. It drives Mo nuts; he doesn't get why I have to just do it / see it / read it / figure it out for myself. "I already TOLD you that!" and "You never believe me!" are frequent complaints in our house.

Against my usual logical self, I have just recently realized exactly how much I DO take by faith. Case in point: I have never actually seen a heart beat. Or lungs breathe. Or blood circulate. I have never once dissected a human being. And yet, I have FAITH that the diagrams and pictures I studied in biology are accurate.

Similarly, I have not run my own bloodwork - yet I have FAITH that the numbers reported by my RE are accurate. I don't know for sure that those dark spots on the ultrasound are egg follicles, but I assume that someone who knows better than I do does.

I have FAITH that as I inch my way through the fog (both literally and figuratively) that I will safely arrive at my destination.

Why, then, is it so much harder to have faith in religious things? What makes me question the Bible -- and not Houghton-Mifflin Biology 101? What makes me question Jesus Christ -- and not my RE? Why is faith so easy in things man-made, and so difficult in things spiritual?

On my drive back and forth from three different doctor's appointments this week, I pondered this question. The best answer I could come up with was that many people, who have seen for themselves, agree that the body works a certain way. I have faith because this knowledge is supported by thousands (perhaps millions? how many doctors are there?) of people.

But, too, most religions are supported by equal numbers of people. God's existance certainly is, if the exact way to tap into it is not. So then why the discrepancy?
Here's a snapshot of my internal dialogue:

Well, my brain says, nobody disputes your Biology text. Lots of people dispute the Bible.

This is true. Except. There ARE some people out there who don't believe in science. Most of us call them crazy. Why can't I just apply the same label to those who question matters of faith?

Well, biology can be proven. Religious beliefs cannot.

Can't they? "Do unto others," "Give and you shall receive," and lots of other pithy quotes are put into practice every single day. Would they still be so universally applied if they DIDN'T work?

No one has seen God. Or have they? Some have claimed it; are they crazy? Who am I to judge?

As the debate in my head continues, I simply remind myself of one truth: just because I haven't seen it for myself, doesn't mean it isn't real.