What do you think of this excerpt from "Fear and Trembling" by Soren Kierkegaard?

Question

"'By no means have I faith. I am a shrewd fellow by nature, such as always have great difficulty making the movement of faith, though I wouldn't attach any importance in itself to a difficulty which, by overcoming it, brings a shrewd fellow no further than the most ordinary and simple-minded person has already reached without the difficulty.'"


Loosely paraphrased: "I'm an intelligent person, and intelligent people have a hard time having faith. But I would not attach any importance to a thing that, being overcome, brings an intelligent man no further than a man of less intelligence who has come to the same conclusion with no difficulty."


I want your thoughts, everyone... do you agree? If so, why? Why not? Just tell me what you think...

He also says, "In olden days people said, 'What a shame things in the world don't go in the way the Priest preaches.' But the time may be coming, not least with the help of philosophy, when we shall be able to say, 'How fortunate that things in the world don't go in the way that the Priest preaches, since at least there's a little meaning to life, but none in his sermon.'"

Mark... he's actually talking about how he wishes he could have faith. Comparing all faith to Abraham being willing to sacrifice Isaac. He COULD NOT understand the paradox of a loving God asking that of Abraham.

Outside my box: Isn't that what Christianity teaches? Not to doubt? People with lower intellect believe what they're told without questioning it. That's what the Bible says to do. Andrew (right? If not, you know who I mean) didn't believe, and Jesus told him he was LESS than everyone else. Because he didn't just accept what he was told.

Answer 1

He makes a good point. Just remember that he still used his intellegence. He really investigated Christianity, and threw away the dogma. I admire the way he practiced it.


Yeah the second quote is basically about what I just said- dogma from the churches, fire and brimstone and how the real meaning is lost .

Answer 2

Considering he was discussing the Middle Eastern religions, I would have to agree. So many times they seem to disdain intelligence, or try to create their own 'science', it really does drive those who do have some degree of intelligence away from faith by necessity.

It must be a painful thing for someone to be ostracized from those of the same faith simply for exploring the world the Gods and Goddesses gave us and then coming to normal, rational conclusions. People of all belief systems should be free to grow and learn - in faith and in the world - without fear of ostracization or 'damnation' for their curiosity and intelligently thought out conclusions.

I thank the Gods all the time that this is not a problem with Asatru. We are truly free to explore and form our own conclusions, and I am grateful for that.

Now that that is out of the way, I can see why he would be a bit upset. Where some people simply have 'faith', even if it is misguided, others of us must examine and explore for ourselves either in spite of our faith or, in my case, because of our faith. Believe me, it can be a frustrating thing to see some religions blow a hissy about digging on ancient 'holy' ground out of scientific curiosity and then crow incessantly about how their faith was 'right' the whole time when the same secular scientists they so vehemently opposed say "Oh, look what we found! Neat!"

My eyebrow is twitching just thinking about it.

~Morg~

Answer 3

Well, if I were you I'd hire a private detective to follow your significant other, becase YOU HAVE NO FAITH.

DEEP DOWN INSIDE you KNOW they're screwing someone else behind your back.

That's called a PARANOID DESLUSIONAL.

It's a mental illness according to science.

LACK of faith is a mental illness.

EVERYONE is out to get me.

I trust in NO ONE AND NOTHING

That's a mental illness according to science.

LACK of faith is NOT going on a freeway because you saw them in San Francisco collapse because the Berkeley School of Engineering decided NOT to TIE the REBAR

Lack of faith is NOT going into the ocean because you saw JAWS and read reports of sharks killing surfers in Australia

Lack of faith is NOT BELIEVING GOVERMENT AND LAW WILL PROTECT YOU when you're arrested, which is why LAWYERS are so rich!

People have a LACK OF FAITH

So they make Doctors and LAwyers rich with aches, pains.

They have a LACK OF FAITH in their skills so with a STANDARD DEDUCTION they pay H&R Block $125 to do their taxes!

Answer 4

I feel sorrow for him. Faith has nothing to do with intelligence. For that, we have proof right here. He is right that it is difficult for an intellectual to have faith as we never stop seeking "proof"...which makes it all the more sacred when we finally profess to belief by faith. That profession is, in itself, the greatest act of faith. God knows that.

Those who are of less intelligence usually believe simply because they are told to...there is little effort in that and certainly little spirituality.

2Be

Answer 5

False "F&T!"

(Isa 29:13) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, = = and their fear toward me is = = taught by the precept of men:

When ever did the teachings of man, EVER TEACH THE FEAR OF GOD? "NEVER!"

Thanks, RR

Answer 6

I like the quote and I agree.... many people consider themselves superior based on their belief systems, and beliefs do not imply intellectual superiority... they are just beliefs.

Atheist