I've just never been able to take things on faith alone, or even with faith as the primary reason. It seems to me that believing something to be true on faith is a justification for irrationality. And believing things to be true without referring to logic and evidence seems to me like a detachment from reality, and is a symptom of psychological disorders that often involve delusional thinking (Paranoid Schizophrenia or Erotomania for instance). I don't mean to say that religious people are crazy. I personally know many of them to be very sane, intelligent and highly functional members of society. But I just don't understand how one can have faith as the underpinning for their belief system and be OK with it.
2006-11-01 08:55:15 · 10 answers · asked by Subconsciousless 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
After years of doubting, I have come to the point that I don't doubt anymore. That does not meant that I don't have questions, I do. It does not mean that I read the bible literally, I don't. It means I live with the questions and fear because of my faith.
I don't think faith has to be illogical. I wake up every morning, without any action on my part. In other words, my life is sustained by something that I don't control. This power, I believe, comes from God.
2006-11-01 09:03:25 · answer #1 · answered by gegenlogos 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Human is composed of mind and matter. And mind is where faith lies. Faith gives the person the will to continue.
One does not have to be religious to have faith.
But religions provide a easier way to focus one's faith and a correct view to face one's life.
For example: A soiled bread lies in front of a starved man. It's true that the bread can save the man. But will he eat it?
*Without faith, he might think, "what's the use for eating a bread tastes like dirt? still gonna feel the hunger, still gonna die from starving tomorrow anyway..." He would probably just go to find an easier way to kill himself before taking another day of suffering.
*But with faith, the man would take the bread and believe that he'll find more food tomorrow.
Personally, I see no conflict between faith and science (logic and evidence). Afterall, science doesn't explains/proves everything, such as existence of God. In fact, faith is what drives people to search truths, which is where the spirit of science lies. If science does proves truth on something, whatever one insists is not faith anymore but arrogance.
2006-11-01 09:26:55 · answer #2 · answered by Traveler 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. It is more than faith...it is faith rooted in a relationship. For example, consider that if you had a friend or co-worker who was extremely reliable and trustworthy. Wouldn't you have logical reason to believe then, in faith, that he will do what he has promised you to do - for instance if he tells you he will meet you somewhere at 3pm? In this example, would you have faith at 2:45pm that he will show up...even before the evidence is before you? Logically, if he has always previously shown up on time and been responsible in other areas, you should!! That is somewhat similar to the kind of faith we as Christians have...it is not blind faith, but faith in the living God!
2006-11-01 08:58:29 · answer #3 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before the Nicene Creed was formed in 325 C.E., Christians could call themselves "seekers" after truth. They were open to new revelations. Those who believed in the Creed were called "believers." This created a stagnation in the spiritual growth of the church. The "believers" tortured and killed the "seekers." In other words, believe as I do or die," as was widely practised by Charlemagne and the Crusaders. This continues today with the hate and judgments foistered by the fundamentalists. It seems to be important to them that they be more right than others.
If anything you believe in is proven to be false, then this belief should be thrown out. Much of what is preached and taught by the religious have more to do with cultural adaptation than what their founders actually taught.
2006-11-01 09:15:41 · answer #4 · answered by Buffy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are not supposed to have blind faith. God does not even expect that. That is why he brings His sons over and over. Krishna says in the Gita. "Whenever there is a decline in religious principals and the truth appears to be lost, I descend again and again or send my representative t reestablish the truth." So actually everything is very logical but because so much becomes misconstrued it becomes bewildering. We have to find out where the truth is. It is always available to the ones who seek it out very seriously. Not just sentementally. Otherwise we will be cheated and make the most mercyful God out to be a cheater like ourselves. He wants us to understand Him but we have to be extreamly sincere to find the truth. GO to www.essene.org for the original teachings of Christ Go to www.stephen-knapp.com for universal truts
2006-11-01 09:02:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith is a poor guide to truth.
2006-11-01 08:57:02 · answer #6 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my faith is base on the fact that i believe in god that he created my and that he guides and protracts me each and every day and i think that if it was not for he i would already be dead
2006-11-01 08:59:16 · answer #7 · answered by God Is Love 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I prefer to have faith sometimes.
It's better for your mind.
Instead of complicating stuff just have faith that every thing's gonna be alright.
2006-11-01 08:59:06 · answer #8 · answered by KT 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some even kid themselves into thinking it's not faith alone, by pointing out dumb stuff they think god has done.
2006-11-01 08:58:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cthulhu said it, I believe it, that settles it!!
2006-11-01 08:57:04 · answer #10 · answered by morgoth 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋