by me just saying ,I have faith in god and that I am in his spirit, is that enough? are is there more. what IS that faith we are supposed to have . like the faith of a mustard seed, that has total faith, with out any dought, how do I define it,?how do I KNOW I truly have that faith, what way can I tell. ?
2006-09-22 18:41:15 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As a confirmed atheist I had a great afternoon discussing this and allied subjects with the then Archbishop of Canterbury, more than 50 years ago. He was a great feller. At the end of the day we resolved as follows:- BELIEF is necessarily always in some fixed idea. Even if a belief can be supported by some apparently convincing evidence, it can be incorrect - because we can rarely have all information (e.g. world not flat). All belief is therefor on shaky ground, which makes many "believers" aggressive in defense and in trying to enlist others. FAITH on the other hand, is an unspecific sensation, with no focussed object, no assumptions, or expectation (i.e. "I have faith in God", or "I have faith I'll go to heaven" is not Faith - both are beliefs). Faith is a kind of entrustment. It is like allowing oneself to fall, without any expectation of being caught. Ultimately it is an expression of entrusting oneself to one's self, and to the universe. SO it is a frame of mind in some ways more available to an atheist than to a "true believer". But it requires the courage to live with ambivalence and uncertainty, constantly seeking more insight, which is often discomforting (not merely comforting doctrine). The Archbishop said most people cannot do it, that they need religious "walking sticks" to help them deal with life, and his job was to help them. Coming to this conclusion had been a long, difficult path for him, only possible because he had come ultimately to true Faith, without assumptions. I roused on him for depriving believers of learning to walk. Later I appreciated his compassion. I'm glad we embraced each other and parted dear friends. He told me I would have made a great minister of religion and was a loss to the Church! I suggest that for Faith, all you need is courage, an urge for greater awareness, an honest recognition of ignorance, a sense of wonder at the universe, and self-respect for yourself and all "other" as part of it. When you can abandon belief, and still feel at ease with life and death, you will know you have Faith. Good luck.
2006-09-22 19:14:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way it was ever explained to me was that faith is acting on your beliefs. I believe in God and I live my life based on my beliefs. This is faith. It sounds to be like you have faith. We can all improve. Of course when things are bad I worry sometimes instead of praying. I have a hard time sitting back and saying to myself that God will provide. But God wants us to act and help ourselves. He gave us free will.
2006-09-23 18:31:55 · answer #2 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible offers a test.
Mark 16:17 - And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18 - They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Please don't do this though. Try common sense, it beats faith any day.
"Faith is a cop-out. It is intellectual bankruptcy. If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits." - Dan Barker (former preacher)
2006-09-23 01:48:07 · answer #3 · answered by AiW 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen
2006-09-23 01:44:10 · answer #4 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have saving faith, you know it!
2006-09-23 01:43:02 · answer #5 · answered by lenny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋