A question regarding faith?

Question

Take a look at the roots of your faith, you probably have it simply because you were raised that way or because you needed consoling that religion can offer, that's not a problem. However you have no proof your faith is right. So how can you ever try to disprove any other faith? When I ask why you believe without any solid evidence all I get is "That's what faith is for." Ok, so you're admitting you don't have evidence, good. So if you admit you don't have evidence how can you reasonably state that your religion is more likely than anyone elses? It's all BELIEF, so to me God is just as likely to be real as Zues and Poseidon and Hermes and Hera and the rest of that crew. No one can disprove that old religion either, and yet you would call it foolish for some one to believe it. My point and question is why should you acted like a bigot against other religions if you really just have faith not proof and why would you close your mind to any other religion with equally nonexistant proof?

Directed at all religions and equally critical of all of them.

I know not everyone is this way, belive me I've met good bad and in between on all sides, so don't think I'm generalizing, I'm asking people who DO say these things.

I believe everyone should be critical of everything because if you don't have any proof then when it turns out that you're wrong then you wasted your whole life. If you think you have proof then good, as long as you're not oppresive about it I don't care what you believe, this question was directed at the abrasive theists that think they are completely right, not everyone with religion.

Answer 1

You are COMPLETELY right. We can not prove anything. Nor can we disprove it either. That's why it's faith. I don't have the same beliefs as my Father or mother or husband and my son will not have the same ideas as me. I am a preacher's kid who was NEVER given answers to my questions, I was told to look it up, figure it out on my own. In other words "Don't believe in something because I believe it. Believe something because you have found it's what's best for you to believe in."
Faith is just faith we have no right to ridicule others beliefs, because if you actually look into ALL of the religions of the world you'll find they have a lot of similarities. And one of those is acceptance.

Answer 2

You are absolutely correct - It is all (about) belief.

If I believe God exists or does not exist - that is a belief. To believe that the world can be understood by a rational mind is a belief that has as much foundation as the belief there is a supernatural world beyond this world. If you believe that you are defined by your actions - that is an existential belief. If you believe that only what you see is what is real - that is a material empirical belief.

Do you believe that Science provides your "solid evidence" then how come every 100 years or so an old theory has to discarded and replaced with a new one. Was what was believed in the old system to be the truth not the truth?

If you pride yourself to be a skeptic but accept Darwinism as truth then you believe in a god called Natural Selection - who has no intelligence but can create intelligence. If you hold this truth even as evidence challenges the truth - then is it not more religion than science?

If you really want to be a skeptic - i.e. choose skepticism as your belief system - I would suggest reading David Hume[1], who of all western philosophers took skepticism to its ultimate conclusion (and brought the Enlightenment to its end). He shatters any hope of forming any proof of existence of any cause. He obliterates any concept of "solid evidence" for anything that can be observed.

Otherwise - since we have the free-will to choose our beliefs - why not choose one that has beauty, fulfillment, joy and awe - incorporated into it.

Having said this - I am sympathetic to your position. How do we know truth and should not all assertions of truth be put to the proof? I would agree. A more honest position would be seeker - then your only belief is that you can know the truth when it finally comes to you. You are detached from all else that is in this world or any other world. My belief system encourages you on that quest and assures you will find what you seek. The best for you.

For those who claim to have found truth but must have others validate it by believing it also (and persecuting those that don't believe it) - I would humbly suggest you continue seeking - for my belief system says that "truth" should bring us together not divide us. Our truths should form the core of our being regardless what others may believe. Let our life be our proof. But then that is my faith.

Thanks for the question and sharing your POV. If is clear that you have thought a great deal about this. Hope this encourages more thought - on everyones part.

Answer 3

Ok, say you claim that your religion is completely bible based and you aren't really listening to what the bible says. You aren't living by the bibles standards. So many religions do this and I can understand how you could be frustrated. I have proof that the religion that I follow is truth based on the fact that it truly follows the bible and digs deep into it to find what the truth is. Not what some men say it says or what my heart wants it to say, but what it actually says. Thats why people put other religions down, because they think they are right. And let me tell you that most people are misguided by the clergymen of their church or, as you said, that is how they were raised. Truth is out there and proof is as well. You just have to keep tesing what you're told or what you read and finding facts, bible based truth, and then it will all be clear. Keep an open mind and an honest heart, and keep looking!

Answer 4

Ok, here goes. I could give you all the evidence of my faith that you could ever ask for. But there is one problem, you would write it off as just me.

But none the less, you asked for evidence.

I got into a bad relationship when I got out of High School. This lasted for 3 years. I didn't want to leave him, but I had had enough. He was trying to get Social Security, I made a promise to God, that when he got the SS, I would leave.

About 6 mo's later, I was at work and God told me that that was the day. My boyfriend had his Social Security. I called my parents to find out if i could move back home. Went to my boyfriends house, he told me, that he had been approved for SS and I told him I was leaving.

Then there is a time not long ago, I told a girl I was interested in that I would like to date her. She quit talking to me. For a week I prayed that God would clear things up and heal our hearts. That sunday at our group meeting, God opened the doors and healed our relationship we started talking again.

There are numerous stories I could tell you. But this is enough. God has always been and always will be in control. Gods timing is always best. The God of the Bible is the true God and the only God.

If my saying that is a sign of Bigotry then so be it. I have walked the wiccan path, I have studied Hindu philosophy. Jesus is the only one that says I am the way. I believe that.

And, just to clear things up, that first story I was in a homosexual relationship. God hears the prayers of all people. regardless of life circumstances. God judges inwardly where we can only see the outward appearance. God knows the heart.

God is Good all the time.

God bless

Answer 5

proof? is that what u want? what if i give u more than just one proof ? oh u want a material evidence don't u? how about science? would that be logical enough?

Why did I Embrace Islam?
This is an extract from Dr. Gronier, a French MP, who embraced Islam. Revealing the reason of embracing Islam he said, I read all of the Ayat (Quranic verses), which have a relation to medical, health, and natural sciences that I studied before and have a wide knowledge of. I found that these verses are totally compatible with and give a picture of our modern sciences. Thus, I embraced Islam as it was obvious that Muhammad revealed the Absolute Truth more than a thousand years ago. Had every specialist, artist or scientist compared those Quranic verses to his own specialization, beyond the shadow of doubt he would embrace Islam, especially if he has a sound mentality and goodwill to search for the truth and not a mentally defective person with the intentions of malevolent aims.

Answer 6

I wasn't raised in a family That went to church or talked about God. I went to church on my own in about The 6th grade. I have been to different churches. I come to believe there is a God in every religion. Follow the 10 commandments as close as you can, pray and try to find a church that feel comfortable in. I had turned my head away from "Christians as they didn't walk the talk. I learned not to judge and live my life to be the best person I can be. I pray and once in a while I will go to a church. I was baptized when I was in the 9TH grade. No family members came. I listen to my heart and instincs. I believe that God does talk to me. If I am wrong and we all just die and that is that, at least I lived my life as a good person and hopefully made others time here a bit brighter.

Answer 7

I have faith, I dont have evidence. But I dont try to discredit any other religions or any other persons god or belief. Not everyone is a bigot and Im sorry if thats all you've met. We're not all like that!
I will always offer my opinion, and its just that, an opinion. I dont try to shove Jesus down peoples throat by saying how great he is and wrong they are. I have my belief and Im sure everyone has theirs, whether it be another god or no god.
thats what makes this country so great, freedom of religion!

Answer 8

It's not my intention to argue against anyone's faith; that's not my purpose on earth. Faith outside of a religious context is by definition belief in a seeming intangible. I would merely like to point out that you have inadvertently made many of the same general assumptions that you ascribe to others in reaching the position you hold. My beliefs accurately described are a blend of Christianity and Buddhism, and to that eclectic mix is added the sum total of my experiences and observations throughout a lifetime. Nowhere, however, is there a hint of bigotry towards anyone else's position, nor ambivalence for my own. Why not? Because my faith grants me a security and peace of mind that allows me to be comfortable within my own skin...and genuinely joyful when others are comfortable in theirs. We are not adversaries in this regard, just travellers on divergent paths.Religion actually concerns me very little; spirituality on the other hand, is of paramount importance. Faith, as the mortar of spirituality, is forged in the fires of struggles and tribulations too numerous to name, and each obstacle overcome...each calamity survived, reinforces the faith thereby strengthening the foundation of spirituality. This is not something my momma made me do, though she is a fantastic spiritual role model. Frankly, it doesn't get more personal than this.

Answer 9

Christianity HAS evidence for it. In fact, I believe it's the only religion that does.

Check historical evidence about Jesus, and the Bible. Also, the Bible indirectly states that the earth is only about 7000 years old, check the scientific evidence for that. While you're at it, check the evidence AGAINST an 'old earth' and evolution. When closely looked at, it falls apart.

When you look at everything... Christianity has a lot going for it. A big incentive to actually believe in that religion.

Answer 10

Thats a very good point. Im not going to say "hey, its called faith for a reason", because I have the same problems you do in that subject. But i can honestly say thatsome people are more prejiduced about their religion. Me, for instance, Im a christian, but i dont single out others who aren't christian just because of that fact. I've definately struggled with my faith. I learned that if I recklessly devote myself to my religion and see where it gets me, to see what happens, I discover for myself the things that others only have faith in but have not expirienced. Maybe thats why everyone answers "That's what faith is for" because there is no explaining it unless you have expirienced it first hand. (Right now im thinking "woah, i sound like my pastor", but im telling you the honest truth. I hope this helps.