As I paged through the questions today it occurred to me that some of our difficulty in understanding each other is that we do not truly understand the word FAITH. Those who do not believe in a religion or Godhead likely do have FAITH in something, even if only in themselves.
To participate in discussions such as these, it is essential to understand faith...and that faith is not about proof.
FAITH - noun
1. confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another
2. belief that is not based on proof: faith that the hypothesis will be substantiated by fact.
3. belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion
4. belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.:
5. a system of religious belief: the Christian faith; the Jewish faith.
6. the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.
Without belittling anyone else, could you explain what you do have faith in, whether it is a God or not?
2007-02-07 06:07:01 · 13 answers · asked by Sea of Air 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
that when your mind and your heart comes into an agreement.
2007-02-07 06:15:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My favourite philosophy text-book has a page listing nine varied statements or definitions on "faith", largely incompatible. Because the term is so variously defined, it is best avoided completely, unless the time is taken to define the exact meaning required.
From your list, I use
1) confidence in a person. I'd use the word trust.
4) to a degree, again the word trust does better.
5) as a shorthand for a set of doctrines. No belief in them is required.
6) as "being faithful": sticking by a promise or committment. But that isn't at all an act of faith or a belief in anything, except in the duty to meet promises and obligations,.which is purely internal.
In addition to your list Kierkegaard and Pascal leaned to faith independent of reason, or even against reason.
On the other hand to St Thomas Aquinas faith was "...an act of the intellect assenting to the truth at the command of the will."
Hebrews 11:1 does not help since it can be read in at least two utterly different senses.
Do I have absolute faith an anything? I don't think so, but I have provisional faith in quite a lot. Things I act on "as if" they were true, subject to better evidence or understanding.
I don't doubt the sun will rise tomorrow, except technically. But it's important that technical doubt remains.
2007-02-07 06:51:38 · answer #2 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure; no problem. By the numbers, now:
1. I have "faith" that my wife will always be there for me; support me, comfort me, humor me, pleasure me. Our love confirms my belief.
2. I have "faith" that the sun will come up tomorrow, that the river will continue to flow toward the Gulf, and that Spring will follow Winter.
3. I have "faith" that there is some kind of intelligent design behind the natural beauty that is around me, and in how the plants and flowers continue to reproduce with consistency.
4. I have a "belief" that hard work is its own reward, that there is no shortcut to quality, that things of value come about through discipline and determination, that every man is deserving of a measure of sympathy, that we are all not that far from living in a cardboard box.
5. Not much I can offer you on this. I was raised Lutheran, for what its worth, but I do not adhere to common, standardized forms of worship; they do nothing for me.
6. I "believe" in being dependable as regards my family, friends and employer. My word is bond. If I say something, I mean it and make good by it.
Does that about cover it?
I did my best.
2007-02-07 07:16:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fantastic, some really good answers.
Dr....I do not think irrational belief can be construed as Faith...is there nothing you have faith in...science, family, a friend?
Faith for me was a risk...it was opening my mind to possibility instead of probability. I am strong on rational thought and logic and I admit to being a horrible skeptic. So to take that leap to faith, for me, was something very major. The rewards have been better than I ever WOULD have hoped for.
In finding the ability to have faith, I also was able to restore my ability to trust and to believe in others...it was more than just faith in God. CC
2007-02-07 06:22:46 · answer #4 · answered by In The Presence 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To have faith means that you either have to trust or believe in something. In an ever mistrustful world our faith disappears and we are left with only questions and uncomfortable answers. Also faith in religion is one of the problems with this world. If we did not have religion perhaps the world would be a safer place.
2007-02-07 06:24:30 · answer #5 · answered by jim f 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have faith that I will live to see another day. There is a huge difference though, I can imagine that I might not. I accept that my faith is more wishful thinking than anything and there is a possibility that I might die anytime between now and the next day. Now people who believe in God will more than likely outright refuse that they might be wrong. They often can not accept that they can be wrong, and will not entertain the idea of being wrong. They do not see faith as wishful thinking, they see it as truth.
2007-02-07 06:16:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
HEB 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
2007-02-07 06:11:46 · answer #7 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct about the meaning of the word faith, and everyone has faith in somehing, even if it is just themselves. To not believe in God takes a lot of faith. There is no evidence for that. I won belittle anyone. But, my faith is placed in God alone, the God of the Bible, the only one that has all the answes and can save me. Can who you have faithin save you? IF not you are in trouble I say. not you, but in general I mean. I have full faith in God, no doubt to what He says and promises. Faith still moves mountains today, if its faith in God alone. I have no faith in religion, and all the man made stuff. My faith is placed in the God of the Bible with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus saves. I like your question tho. PPl use words wthout everexaming their meaning. Just like ppl saying they follow Jesus without ever knowing what that means. To follow means to desire to be like Him, to trust Him, obey HIm, and KNOW that He is always here for us, even in the bad times. Its not just knowing He is there. The devil knows and I assure you, he wont be saved. Good question.
2007-02-07 07:55:45 · answer #8 · answered by full gospel shirley 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My definition woul be like number two. Iwould like to add a persons faith only becomes confirmed in the face of death.
2007-02-07 06:16:00 · answer #9 · answered by Harry R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think 2-5 are basically the same thing. My definition is simple: irrational belief.
2007-02-07 06:10:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
FAITH: THE BELIEF IN SOMETHING WHERE THERE IS NO PROOF TO BASE IT ON
2007-02-07 06:16:57 · answer #11 · answered by jrtoyboy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋