I asked if faith (belief without evidence) has a place in daily life. People came up with several answers...all based on evidence. People talked about sitting in chairs, like it's the first time they've ever TRIED it. I think some definition pruning is in order... It's not "faith" that the sun will come up tomorrow, it's a lifetime-long trend that is apparent to everyone. Now, thinking you'll find yourself in front of a giant old man who loves you, moments after you die....that's faith...unless, of course you consider the BIBLE to be evidence...then you're just confused.
2007-05-29 05:06:17 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Faith is a form of 'Earned Trust'.
For example,
I have faith that I can walk my dog without a leash in public and not have any worry that he will run away, because my dog has earned this form of trust.
2007-05-29 05:14:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Faith means several things. The faith people have in the absence of evidence is a different concept to the faith someone has when they sit in a chair, or the faith someone has in the postal service when they send a letter. So technically it's still faith if you have evidence, but it's a different meaning of the word.
2007-05-29 05:21:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Caity. Scientific evidence and Christianity have been long running debates for many. Originally religion was created to help understand death. And faith in living so that dieing does not seem so frightening. Atleast that is what I remember from two classes I took recently Civilizations 1 & 2.
There are plenty of books out there besides the Bible that explain life and existence. Depends in what you select to accept. Thank you.
Gratefully here in America we are free to make our own choices.
God Bless our brave soldiers who fight for all these rights every day.
2007-05-29 05:28:11 · answer #3 · answered by Mele Kai 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is a strong and clear evidence, then it is a proven fact and faith is not required to believe a clinically proven fact. The grey area is when the evidence in question is subjective. For example, a stroke of luck can be interpreted as a blessing from God or simply a chance happening.
2007-05-29 05:19:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In no particular order, these are the dictionary definitions of FAITH. Doesn't say anything about evidence to my mind... although I would say the implication for me would be that evidence makes it not faith, if you get what I mean...
Loyalty or allegiance to a cause or a person
An institution to express belief in a divine power
Complete confidence in a person or plan etc
A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
2007-05-29 05:15:17 · answer #5 · answered by samuraisorceress 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe faith requires an absolute absence of credible evidence. If you have evidence for something, what do you need faith for? It doesn't make sense to have faith in a phenomenon you are familiar with. People generally have faith in two places: their own or someone else's ability to accomplish a particular task, and in the cosmology of their belief system. Faith in physical reality is obviously foolish and unnecessary.
2007-05-29 05:16:33 · answer #6 · answered by Lao Pu 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem is people take the same word and then use different definitions depending on what side they want to support.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/faith
No less than 9 different definitions here. But for example, the first one you could have evidence in someone's abilities and have faith in them. While the next one is belief not based on proof which is has no evidence.
2007-05-29 05:12:51 · answer #7 · answered by The Bog Nug 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would seem that when a person accepts the fundamental, or simple articles of faith on simple trust of the person offering them, then, he exercises that faith with less trust needed, as he gains more insight. Most disciplines begin with obedience, and acceptance. Jesus had disciples, who questioned what he offered, but trusted him (limited).
Blind faith is a free offer, that leads a person to buy into the proposition. At some point, some people shout, 'Eureka!'. That is a sign of an Epiphany. The inspiration can be like a flood that takes time to swallow, or assimilate into day to day life. For some people, the simple concept of charity arrives as one of these events.
I never bought into the old man in the sky myth, but I wouldn't say I never will.
I define my own faith, as a mental image that gets clearer as life goes by. Dim memories of childhood, are similar to the dim memories of blind faith in my parents, community, and God.
2007-05-29 05:29:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have faith that God exists and that I will spend eternity in Heaven. There is no "tangible" evidence for this; only the Holy Spirit that lives in me.
Thomas had faith in Jesus, but he still wanted to see His nail scarred hands as proof that it really was Jesus. Lots of Christians live that way today....but Jesus said "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29
It IS faith that the sun will come up tomorrow; because one day, IT WON'T. The bible tells us this. It IS faith that you will wake up in the morning after you go to sleep at night, because there's NO guarantee that you WILL.
I believe faith has place in daily life: especially if you have a family. You have to have faith that your children will be safe when they are not in your sight (at school, at the sitter's, etc); you have to have faith that your job won't be outsourced; you have to have faith in your spouse to be faithful to you, etc. Sure, there's evidence of these things at the end of the day when your children get home safely and you have a job to go to the next day and your spouse comes home to you; but you still have to have faith for it to happen again the next day. People take too much for granted.
2007-05-29 05:19:46 · answer #9 · answered by Romans 8:28 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible can be used as evidence, but not as proof.....and not even reasonable evidence.
Having said that I have faith that I'm going to get married and have kids. I have no evidence, but it's a likely scenario. But I get what you're saying and I think you're right.
2007-05-29 05:13:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Faith is faith evidence or no evidence
for all you know a pink unicorn could pop up instead of the sun.
So yes evidence or no evidence, it's faith.God desires the faith that doesnt neccesarily need evidence.
2007-05-29 05:10:55 · answer #11 · answered by Maurice H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋