I understand that a modicum of faith is necessary, given that human perception is fallible, but many people speak of faith as if they take it for granted that faith is always admirable.
Simple observation shows that faith does not always have positive results (ie. the attacks of 9/11). How do we know that our faith is good, or that we have faith in the right things? Should we "have faith in faith", so to speak?
Thanks for your thoughts on this.
2007-06-09 02:46:00 · 19 answers · asked by marbledog 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
flandargo: Screw post-modernism. Killing people is bad. Period.
2007-06-09 03:04:39 · update #1
Faith is not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. For those that have faith, it really depends on how this faith makes you behave toward others.
If this faith directs you to good behaviors, it is a good thing. If this faith directs you to bad behaviors, it is a bad thing.
The ultimate test is in observing the behavior.
For those without faith, where behavior is directed by one's character, behavior is also observable.
2007-06-09 04:39:39 · answer #1 · answered by CC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends upon what you have faith in.
If you are speaking in a religious sense, not all religions are equal. They each have messages that often contradict other religions. Depending on that religion's message, faith in it can be good or bad.
Christianity is the best in terms of "faith," for "It is by Faith we are Saved." Faith, then, becomes the mode of salvation and the focus of the religion. Because of the pervasiveness of Christian ideals, when people speak of faith in our culture, then, they typically are speaking along those lines, whether they realize it or not. The problem is a lot of people don't realize it, so they only think of Faith in positive terms (i.e., a Salvational Way, although they might not exactly connect it specifically with Christianity), and go around spouting "faith is good!"
Faith is only good if what you are having faith in is good.
2007-06-09 02:54:03 · answer #2 · answered by Oogglebooggle 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would say that faith is an evil thing. Unquestioning belief in anything in the utter absence of proof is fanaticism. It is delusional. It defies any sort of logic.
Faith leads to abhorrent behaviours like proclaiming one's belief system in an imaginary creature of fantasy as being the one true way, and all others are infidels who must be converted, subverted or slain. Faith encourages complete intolerance, which leads to discrimination, villification and marginalisation.
Faith in systems of beliefs and in a nation's inherent superiority have led to the deaths of millions upon millions. Never has a lack of faith caused such misery, mayhem and manifestations of malevolence.
Those without faith must operate withing the context of the real world and rely on data, information, evidence and empirically based knowledge to make decisions and perform actions. Those without faith have none to blame but themselves for their behaviours, have no bogus "get out of gaol/hell/eternal damnation cards". Those without faith act morally and ethically because it is the right thing to do, not because they are told to.
Faith is ludicrous, evil and perverted.
2007-06-09 02:56:06 · answer #3 · answered by Nodality 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Like everything else in life, whether or not faith is good is dependent on how people act. A lot of people have faith and it genuinely does make them a better person. A lot of people use faith to justify negative behavior. It's just like alcohol; after one beer I am more fun to be around. After 12 I am just a belligerent drunk person that no one wants to be around. It's all about keeping perspective. :-)
2007-06-09 02:50:15 · answer #4 · answered by ♫ Sweet Honesty ♫ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Faith is trusting a belief in something without proof....a believing without seeing. I would say trust is always a good thing, even when something bad happens because that means you are looking for the good side in whatever it is you are trusting. For those that seek the negative in faith (or anything), they will find it and for those that seek the positive they will find it. It's all relative.
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood
2007-06-09 03:07:08 · answer #5 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Simple observation shows that faith does not always have positive results (ie. the attacks of 9/11). "
I STRONGLY CONDEMN ALL TERRORISM.
Having said that, define 'positive results'. Secondly, from whose perspective? Thirdly, what may be 'good' and 'right' for you, may be bad and wrong for me. This is the Post-Modern Age, I believe.
But yes, it is possible to have faith in the wrong thing.
2007-06-09 02:54:49 · answer #6 · answered by flandargo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obviously, it must be faith in the right thing. I have faith, every year, that the St. Louis Cardinals will win the World Series. I've been right just 4 times since I first started following baseball in 1964.
Faith in a religion that promotes violence and a "turn them or burn them" mentality is obviously wrong. This is what led to the 9/11 murders.
Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is what gets us past the evil. We merely need to test what He says, as He told us we should do, to know that it is True and our faith is rightly placed.
2007-06-09 02:52:17 · answer #7 · answered by †Lawrence R† 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think that it probably is a good thing. I have a lot of problem with faith because I have been hurt so much in my life I know that hope is not wise because it causes pain.
2007-06-09 03:05:07 · answer #8 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Curiosity out-weighs faith on the Great Pendulum of Judgement.
2007-06-09 02:49:02 · answer #9 · answered by Invisible_Flags 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Faith and reason are not irreconcilable enemies. They are like two sides of a coin. Faith is not an irrational leap off a cliff.
2007-06-09 02:50:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋