Believing in something with no proof is illogical and irrational yet it's respected and considered normal. Why is that?
2007-08-24 12:42:10 · 27 answers · asked by Skaggy says: 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's something I haven't understood for years. Somehow it's a VIRTUE to rely solely on ones feelings, to treat personal conviction as absolute truth......
It just doesn't make sense.
2007-08-24 12:44:19 · answer #1 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Well many people in the place and time of Gandhi or Mandela would claim it was illogical and irrational for them to expect that they could make there countries independent,but they had faith that they could make a change and faith played a big role on there success.You see many times faith is the key for accomplishing something that it seems impossible,history proves that.
2007-08-24 20:27:34 · answer #2 · answered by Fresh Prince of Brazil 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith is considered a positive because most people in society have faith. It is essentially the concept of believing in the same thing that everyone else believes in.
"Truth does not demand belief. Scientists do not join hands every Sunday, singing, 'yes, gravity is real! I will have faith! I will be strong! I believe in my heart that what goes up, up, up must come down, down. down. Amen!' If they did, we would think they were pretty insecure about it." — Dan Barker (ex-preacher).
"Faith is a cop-out. It is intellectual bankruptcy. If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits." — Dan Barker.
2007-08-24 19:56:01 · answer #3 · answered by qxzqxzqxz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, that's a very good question. And I think it points up the fact that real faith must be more than mere belief. I think the higher form of it comes from direct experience... the light illuminating the light so to speak.
So in the usual sense, just as you suggest... faith might not be such a good thing if it leads you in a poor direction.
You are right to question the idea of mere belief.
2007-08-24 19:50:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It baffles me as well but I think I might have part of an answer.
If you listen to the UFO guys you will hear all manner of theories and beliefs from one end of the spectrum to the other.
I think that people don't want to criticize anybody that is talking nonsense because they suspect they are talking nonsense too. So the deluded recognize other deluded people ot there and praise them and get praised in return. Then they don't feel so alone or silly.
Just a thought.
2007-08-24 19:48:58 · answer #5 · answered by Crabby Patty 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would love to have absolute faith that when I die I will live again in a loving environment created by God. Wonderful insurance against the real pains of growing old. Then, if it happened, as I had faith that it would, what bliss that would be! But, if I was mistaken and my faith was for nothing, then I would have no problem either. I would be nothing but a corpse or ashes - no mind for regrets, no memories of successes or failures.
2007-08-24 19:51:43 · answer #6 · answered by william a 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
faith is a human adaptation to deal with loss and the unknown. It's considered normal because people feel the need for answers and religion makes people feel supported and part of something. It gives the illusion of understanding their universe.
2007-08-24 19:47:52 · answer #7 · answered by mooseburrito12 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Skaggy, I don't think it's "respected and considered normal" by anyone else but religious people! I'm agnostic, as are all my family, and WE feel pretty normal!
I've never met, however, an agnostic or atheist who has perceived themselves as "superior" to others because of their ideas although I HAVE been snubbed by Christians, Jews and Muslims who felt they were superior to ME.
To each his own, I guess.
.
2007-08-24 19:55:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think there is a cultural bias in favor of considering faith a positive, no matter what the faith is in or how it is arrived at.
2007-08-24 19:52:05 · answer #9 · answered by Pascha 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you were going to invent a belief system based entirely on fiction then you would want to promote blind faith as a good thing. It's just a marketing technique by religious leaders - one of the ways they use to support their power, wealth and prestige.
2007-08-24 19:45:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
if you believe in something it is not illogical. for instance you can believe in yourself and your individual abilities when no one else does therefore your ability is something some people may not see, so does that mean you have faith in yourself for no reason? JUST BECAUSE others cannot see it doesn't mean that it isn't worth believing in.
walk by faith and not by sight.
2007-08-24 19:56:30 · answer #11 · answered by super87freak 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋