The impression I've always got is beliving in something transcendent no matter what the evidence says. I'm sure i've misunderstood so i'm hoping someone could clarify.
2007-02-02 09:30:31 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
And if I have got the definiton right can someone explain to me why faith is a good thing to have rather than a liability.
2007-02-02 09:39:04 · update #1
sorry for the appalling grammer.
2007-02-02 09:39:54 · update #2
I'll just deal with two of its meanings.
Faith, in a spiritual sense, is the belief in things not seen. It is not logical in any way; it is more a matter of "wanting" to believe than true certainty.
Faith, in a more common, everyday sense might be like this: I'm an accomplished musician, I practice regularly. There are songs I've played a hundred times.
I could go on stage tomorrow night with a band I've never played with and they could call out a song, in a different key than I'm used to, and I have "faith" that I could pull it off without error. That is more a matter of "confidence."
Both are still valid definitions of faith.
2007-02-02 12:45:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith is knowing something is going to be or happen based on the substance of the thing you hope for and the evidence of what is not yet seen (but will be). In other words..............
Faith is knowing that the sun will rise the next day, even though tomorrow isn't here yet.
Faith is planning a birthday party a week in advance in the expectation that the person will have a birthday.
Faith is knowing (or at least expecting) that when you turn the key, your car will start.
2007-02-02 09:43:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Faith, for a Christian is defined in Hebrews 11:1. Faith for a scientist (and scientists do have a lot of faith) is the hope that there hypothesis or theory will "pan out". Faith for the "man on the street" is such that when the light turns green for him he can confidently cross the street without being struck by a driver going through a red light.
As you can see faith is tenuous at best but it is essential for without it all hope is lost. It can be practiced in the extreme and like anything else if it is and is not done in moderation it can be injurious.
2007-02-02 10:53:10 · answer #3 · answered by Mad Mac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't have to be transcendent. Faith is simply believing in the unknown. Sometimes it is true, sometimes it has evidence, sometimes it does not. However, it's more logical to believe in something that has evidence, than just some bed time fairy tale.
2007-02-02 09:35:36 · answer #4 · answered by Source 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are correct. Faith means for many people to blindly believe in something and this can be like a disease, stopping them to think, prove and intuitively perceive, if what they "say yes to" could possibly be right and logical. It can be like a pleasant drug for them, which but makes them fall spiritually asleep.
If faith cannot become "conviction", it is at least for me worthless.
For some people faith is the path towards conviction and this is good. Jesus asked first for faith in his word. So if people lived in accordance with what he said, they would be able to gain conviction as they would experience, that what he said is true. Only through experiencing we can gain conviction.
2007-02-02 09:44:21 · answer #5 · answered by I love you too! 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My definition of faith is believing in something without proof. Read Hebrews chapter 11.
2007-02-02 16:41:10 · answer #6 · answered by Spartacus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't have it right. "Faith" is merely trusting what the other says. What each human is required to do, is be certain that we are trusting someone who is reliable and worthy of trust. That excludes ourselves.
I trust God because He never lies. He makes promises, and I believe that He will keep those promises because He has kept other promises already. He is reliable and worthy of trust. No one else can come close to His reliability.
Now, yes, God is transcendent. But I am defining your terms for you. Technically, "faith" merely means trusting another to do what he or she says he or she will do.
2007-02-02 10:25:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Thats it....faith defies the bounds of reason. Faith is belief in that which cannot be proven.
So, have faith in YOUR belief!
2007-02-02 09:35:52 · answer #8 · answered by aidan402 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Believe in something with no evidence.
You'll find it in a dictionary under "stupidity".
I can now predict many thumbs down ratings from the touchy christians!
2007-02-02 09:38:27 · answer #9 · answered by Pedro Sanchez 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Doesn't have to be transcendant but other than that you've got it.
2007-02-02 09:38:02 · answer #10 · answered by Kiss My Shaz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋