Why is faith based belief considered more "virtuous" than belief based on evidence?

Question

There seems to be this odd consensus among theists that there is virtue in simply possesing the capacity to have faith.

To this, I ask, "why?"

What is it about being able to have faith that makes one a better person? Is there some practical merit in being able to suspend disbelief?

Given the choice of only having faith in your god, or having your god appear in the world to provide concrete, tangible evidence of himself, wouldn't you prefer to see him, talk to him directly, ask him questions and receive direct answers, put your arm around him, hold his hand? Would you be any less of a devoted follower? Any less of a believer?

I submit that the reason theists place faith so highly on their list of human virtues is because that when it comes to god, THEY HAVE NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER. What else can they do?

It's like saying vanilla is the best ice cream because it's the only flavor the store carries.

Answer 1

I would not say that my beliefs are more virtuous than yours or anyone else's. True Christians should not be judging others. I want to share my beliefs with others but what you choose to believe or not believe is your free will. And although, others who post on this site would rudely and sarcastically disagree with me I would tell you that God does and will reveal Himself in very concrete ways to those who believe. Does that make me sound crazy? Maybe to those who do not understand. What a lot of people do not understand is that Faith is not something that you own. It is something that you do. And as you practise faith the answers and evidence come. Using your ice cream metaphor- I have tried other ice creams. I took many graduate level anthropology classes and have exposed and educated myself to various beliefs and religions. But when it comes down to it -I chose vanilla( God)! Not in ignorance but because vanilla was the only flavor that proved itself to me over and over again.

Answer 2

You've already answered your question quite effectively, but I'll offer my thoughts.

For one, faith is so highly revered in the U.S. because, well, most people are people of faith. Therefore, the majority opinion on this matter is theirs. Most people believe in god, for example, and as a consequence, it makes it seem that belief in god is the rational thing to do -- simply because it's the most popularly held opinion. It's very similar to the 19th century when southerners assumed that slavery was a "civil" enterprise. It's not that slavery actually was a civil enterprise -- it's just that that was the majority opinion. Unfortunately for southern slave advocates and religious people, the truth and morality are not dictated by "mob-rule."

Secondly, Christians have long argued that morality comes from religion, and that anyone without religion (particularly the Christian kind) is consequently immoral. This unfounded assumption has done much to associate faith and virtue together. Biologists and sociologists have in the last several decades, however, scientifically made the case that morality DOES NOT come from religion, but rather is a product of our biology (see: "reciprocal altruism").

The first poster's comment that evolution requires faith is utterly absurd. Firstly, you can't "prove" a scientific idea. Secondly, the evidence in support of evolution as a valid scientific theory is overwhelming -- quite frankly, to DISBELIEVE evolution is what requires faith. By contrast, there is -- and never has been -- any evidence for the existence of god. Comparing acceptance of the theory of evolution to a belief in the existence of god is completely ridiculous.

The likelihood that the Easter Bunny exists is far greater than the likelihood that god exists. I mean, heck... Bunnies DO exist, after all. When was the last time you saw an invisible, omnipotent supernatural being?

Answer 3

The truth is that only some theists have the notion that it is more virtuous to have absolute faith without evidence. The point such theists (mostly followers of orthodox paths) miss is that religion (and therefore whatever one believes) has no bearing on his or her spirituality. Many atheists are spiritually more advanced than self-righteous theists, only that they do not know it.

Religion and spirituality are two different things which, unfortunately, many people think are the same thing. Spirituality determines a person's closeness to or relationship with God (not believing in God makes no difference, it is just another religion) while religion is one of the many ways one can attain a degree of spirituality.

Answer 4

It doesn't make one a "better person" it perhaps does make one a more virtuous person because they have beliefs that tend to instill virtues. We are all subjected to intangibles in our lives and cannot deny their existence. Can you show evidence of fear, joy, love, hate? They are also abstract but most people experience them. Belief in a supreme being is a means of explaining our reason for being and how the universe was created.

Which religion is right? Which religion is wrong? Are any of them right? I don't think anyone can say definitely. Anyone can say what they believe but it may or may not be true. It is really a waste of time to argue about it!

Answer 5

Faith and belief are the same thing. If there is evidence, you don't require belief or faith. As there is no evidence for gods, you have to believe in them, have faith in them.

Science does not deal in belief or faith, it deals in evidence. There is a vast amount of evidence to support both the fact and the theory of evolution. Science does not require faith, gods do.

Answer 6

i could no longer disagree with you extra. faith isn't a pipe dream. info is what ends up in a end of religion by utilising a non secular individual. info is fundamental, no count if this is in a faith or in a criminal homicide trial. The info is what lends credibility. this is what substantiates the theory. this is what conclusions and theories could be based upon. a loss of info is in simple terms wishful thinking. technology is approximately amassing info. in case you refuse to offer info, then you have not any credibility. -- when you consider which you have addressed a remark to me individually, i will respond. i think of you're out of your strategies. in simple terms when you consider which you take place to evaluate info in yet otherwise than a individual of religion does, that does no longer advise there is not any info. in actuality, i could say that your bias is so severe which you're no longer even waiting to work out that others could attain a diverse end based upon the comparable issues which you planned to no longer be evidentiary. you're wearing blinkers. Admitting that somebody else sees something as info of God's existence would not make you a non secular individual -- this is nice, you're able to do it.

Answer 7

You are correct 1. No one can prove that God exists
you are correct : 2. No one can prove that God does not exist.

Faith is the only way to God.

Some believe by faith
Some do not believe by faith

If you believe by faith--your way is better
if you do not believe by faith--your way is better

Can you agree that the answer is what you believe about it?

Answer 8

Faith is not the issue but WHO you have faith in....those who know Jesus know true virtue, and they are given reasons to walk by faith - as one trusts in a trustworthy friend who has never let them down....It is about a relationship, and those who have developed it and discovered Him (and thus have faith in Him) are blessed.....And you will be too if you will seek Him.

Also, the post right below mine is a great one...

Answer 9

Faith without reason is nonsense.
You can only have faith in someone when there is a sound reason to do so.
No one would fly on an airplane unless he has a good reason to believe that the pilot knows what he's doing.

Answer 10

I'll tell you why, our past culture egged on such belief, both in its nature, and in the churches of the past. They could keep people in check if they had such a faith, and so it was praised by those that wielded the power.