Faith vs. Theory?

Question

Theroy:
1.) A coherant group of general propositions used as principals of explanation for a class of phenomena (idea, proposition)
2.) A proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural in contrast to well established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.
3.) Contemplation or speculation.

Faith:
1.) Confidence in a person, thing or Idea.
2.) Belief that is not based on proof
3.) Belief in ANYTHING ..code of ethics, teachings, religions
4.) The obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise etc. and the observance of it.


Ever heard the quote .. "In faith, in theroy? or In faith, in truth?

I have seen a lot of athiests on this board attack "religious" minded people for their Faith. Yet, by definition you as an athiest have a Faith too... so you are in a way attacking your own belief system.
I see the opposite too.. a lot of Christians attack athiests for their lack of faith.. when in fact they have a faith... just not

The same faith as Christians do.

Do you think that Theroy and Faith are the same thing? Or at least homilies of each other?

I can see how every definition of Faith and Theroy apply to both Athiests, Agnostics, Christians, Non Christians..

Can’t you? Maybe not… what do you think…

Cmon go ahead slam if you want… or think…and respond!

Answer 1

I am an atheist. I think there is semantic confusion over different shades of meaning given to the words "belief" and "faith".

I think everyone has beliefs. Some beliefs are supported by evidence. These are "reasoned" beliefs. Some beliefs are not supported by evidence. These are faiths.

We can make finer distinctions. Someone may have faith in some idea that has never been contradicted by evidence. This is a rational, or plausible faith. Some people have faith in some ideas even though there is evidence that partially contradicts the idea. This is irrational, or implausible faith.

We can get even more sophisticated in this discussion, by taking into account that sometimes we take an "all or nothing" view to some ideas: we think an idea must be either true or false, with no possibilities in between. However, for some ideas, we are comfortable with expressing them using probabilities. For example, most people understand what is meant by "there is a 20% chance of rain tomorrow." I think that people who rely on faith never have faith in something like this. They only have faith in "all or nothing" ideas.

The scientific method is designed to properly classify ideas, and to do it in such a way that other people can independently verify the classification. In science, a Theory means a framework for examplaining evidence and for predicting behavior. Any theory that makes predictions that can be verified to be true is useful. Any theory that makes predictions that are then shown to be false is flawed, and scientists don't use the the term "Theory" to refer to a discredited theory.

Answer 2

Sorry, but there is a big difference between faith and theory.

Faith is wishful thinking (or sometimes fearful thinking). It is belief in something without any evidence to support it.

On the other hand, theory is a proposition to explain evidence. It is not a belief. It is something taken to explain evidence. If later evidence shows the theory false, then the theory is changed or dropped completely.

Answer 3

The main difference between a theory and faith is that the purpose of a theory is to either prove or disprove an idea whereas faith is meant to be taken as is. No questions asked. Faith can never be proven, it just has to be swallowed. Theories are developed, studied, and either proven or disproven given the evidence at hand.

"Creationists make it sound as though a 'theory' is something you dreamt up after being drunk all night.” - Isaac Asimov

Answer 4

I agree to a certain extent. But faith takes theory (or belief) a big step forward, beyond belief. Here's what I mean....

Early in the 20th century, (and even earlier than that) man had a theory that we could fly if we built a contraption or a machine. Man took that theory and in the 20th century built a plane because he believed it was possible. The first person to pilot that plane had faith.

You can believe something to be true, but to ACT upon it with full confidence is faith.

Answer 5

some things called theories are probably better described as speculation. In the field of astronomy amazingly grandiose theories go on amazingly scant evidence

there are also times, as in the case of origin studies, when two groups might look at the same data and because they bring to the table many prior assumptions they see the same data very differently

naturalist and creationists look at the same data and often draw different conclusions, the assumptions being different and often the naturalists are the least likely to realize the degree they are influenced by the assumptions to color the data, draggin allot of baggage to the table

Answer 6

Disbelief isn't a faith. Go away and learn the difference between weak atheism and positive atheism. And save the lectures-I already know what position is philosphically the most sound and it isn't belief in a deity.

Answer 7

T-H-E-O-R-Y

It depends which definition you use. When speaking of God, generally atheism is considered a lack of faith, i.e. not believing in God without any evidence for doing so.

And let's not forget the definition of a SCIENTIFIC theory which has graduated from a hypothesis (educated guess) because evidence has been found to support it.

Answer 8

I agree with Duckphup. There's a big difference between religious faith and scientific theory.

Answer 9

Heather,
You can check my questions history and note that I have accused Atheists, not of having no faith, but of being in deial about what they are faithing in.

You are doing good and saying rightly that they have faith. But look at the excuses for denial!

EDIT: See? They wish to sport with rhetoric. i.e. andymcj66

Answer 10

Just so u should know Islam is a religion that is backed by both faith and proof.So no faith vs theory.