Do you think that if you can intellectually argue your faith, that you have a more legitimate belief system?

Question

Are some religions more intellectual than others?
I believe that faith should not be blind, but should be backed up by an intellectual argument.
This doesn't necessarily mean "Facts" because I believe that Faith can be intellectually discussed on a very deep level. What do you think?

Answer 1

I think I disagree with you.

I think that belief based in pure faith is just fine, as long as the believer admits that the belief is based in pure faith. I can't help but notice that almost all of the strife here is caused by believers falsely claiming to have evidence or even proof of their beliefs in gods, souls, life after death, etc.

The truly faithful don't seem to cause problems, because of course when you realize that your belief is based in faith, you also have to accept that it's not at all "foolish" to deny that belief (what would be foolish about me denying a belief of yours that you admit you can't support with evidence?).

I think that it would be a mistake to insist more strongly that believers back up their beliefs with evidence, because that evidence simply isn't there, and most believers will simply dig themselves into a hole inventing fake "evidence" (as we see here regularly already).

Answer 2

I suppose it depends on how you define "intellectual". I believe there are more scholarly works written on the Bible than any other religion's sacred text. So if you want a religion with the most "scholarly opinions" backing it up, this would be the answer. Also, Alvin Plantinga, universally considered one of the top philosophers still living is a Christian. As for the rest of your questions, yes you can certainly debate aspects of religion on an intellectual level. Typically, what is being debated is the existence of God. Some of these main arguments include :

The moral argument: if there are (moral) laws, there must be a law giver. There are moral laws. There must be a law giver (God).

The teleological argument: The universe is too comlex to have been created by accidedent, therefore, there must be a creator.

The cosmological argument: everything must have a cause and nothing can cause itself. Therefore, the universe must have been caused by something other than itself (this is a REALLY lame summary--look further for yourself).

These are very rudimentary summaries--if you wish to casually look more into these check out the wikipedia articles, which have decent summaries of each (though most "intellectuals" would despise me for saying that). There are plenty more arguments. These are but a few examples.

Answer 3

There are several issues at play here.

First of all, faith of any sort will always contain an element of... well... FAITH. It isn't blindness so much as a different sort of sight, and not everyone will comprehend it.

That said, I believe you should be able to defend what you believe, at least at a very basic level. But not all adherents of a faith will be able to comprehend its finer, deeper points. Christianity, for example, asks its followers to accept the sacrificial death of Jesus. Some Christians will never be able to do much more than believe in that gift of grace, nor will they be able to argue successfully against an intellectually sophisticated non-believer. But that inability doesn't make their faith any less real than mine, or yours.

I believe that we are expected to use the gifts that we have in the practice and study of our faith. Some individuals are more intellectually inclined than others, and this holds true no matter what faith you espouse. I agree that "faith can be intellectually discussed on a very deep level"--it's a joy to do so, if you can find a group of friends who can "argue" and debate congenially. But does that mean one has a "more legitimate belief system"? No--absolutely not.

Answer 4

Any faith can only be as intelligently discussed as the minds doing the discussing are capable of. I do not belive any religion to be more intellectual than any other, I believe it is based solely on the interest and mental accuity of the individual.

Answer 5

For me to intellectually argue my faith presupposes the notion that I'm arguing with a person who's worth arguing with in the first place. 9 times out of 10 that's simply not the case.

Answer 6

Faith can be intellectually argued, but only if both parties believe it. I have a friend who we constantly argue about faith, but he uses intellect, and that is the only way to find truth, when i use only faith. We won't ever see eye-to-eye because we see it from two different spectrums.

Answer 7

I think that what ever your beliefs are they are your beliefs. Some have a belief in faith, others have a belief in a more tangible system. Either way, to be able to argue it intellectually just means a better education and not necessarily that you are right.

Answer 8

It depends on the Fatih. All I can say is that for the Christian Faith we believe there is only One God who sent His Son as Savior to the world to save us from the power (eternal death) of sin. Upon receiving Jesus as your Savior and Lord you receive the Holy Spirit of God to inspire, encourage, correct, guide, and direct your Christian life. It can't be intellectually argued out. You either believe it or you don't. That isn't close mindedness, that’s just Faith plain and simple. For example, if you can intellectually argue a thing that means that you can see it, touch it, feel it, taste it etc physically. How much faith does it take to believe that a tree is growing in your front yard if you go by it every day as you enter and exit your home? However, if you had need of a tree for apples or lumber you plant the seed and in faith believe that a tree will grow shortly thereafter. At some point you'd reap a harvest. This is how Christianity is. The seed is the word of God / the bible. The ground is our hearts. The growth takes place as you water and care for the seed planted. At some point the harvest takes place, that is to say, God begins to open your heart to the truth of Jesus Christ and you reap the harvest when you accept Him as Savior. The best thing about it is that it doesn't stop there! A Christian life is one whereby seed is constantly planted by the word of God and harvests take place as we continually grow and plant seed in the hearts of others. So once again, faith is like the substance of things we hope for and the evidence of things we can't see. How can you intellectually argue that out?

Answer 9

Not necessarily. One can be intellectual (regardless of faith or lack thereof) and have problem executing an intelligent debate because of ineffective communication.

Answer 10

I believe that you can believe and have faith in just about anything. And no intelligent argument will make you stop believing, if you don't want to stop. And I also believe that no amount of intelligent argument will persuade a person to believing or even seeing the fact that you have a valid point, if they don't wish to do so.