What is wrong with having a little faith?

Question

I just answered a question posted about who we depended on in times of need. Those who mentioned we depended on Jesus got the most thumbs down. If you would say your family, a friend or your husband it was o.k. but don't you bring Jesus in cause you're going down. What do you make of that?

Just so you know, I didn't ram my beliefs down their throat. I don't believe in mistreating people because they don't believe as I do, not even hear in
Answers where I can hide behind a computer. I marveled at the fact that as quickly as you mention Jesus, you're insulted and treated as a wacko. I gave a sincere, respectful answer about what my experience was.

Answer 1

One of the problems with faith is that some of us simply cannot do it. I'm told it is a gift from God. I wouldn't know. Never got such a gift. So when someone says "you gotta have faith," I say "how?"

Faith, as understand it, is belief in the absence of evidence, or even in the face of evidence to the contrary. Sorry: I was a philosophy major in college and my professors taught me to analyze things starting with evidence. Facts. If I don't have those, I have nowhere to start with the methods I have been taught. I am pretty good at suspending judgment before I get the facts, and thus avoid prejudice or conclusion-jumping, but I can't do the faith thing.

And I will admit I don't want to. I would not accept such a standard of belief (no evidence, let alone evidence to the contrary) in any other area of my life, so why should I accept it where it matters most?

P.S. to the lady who said unbelievers have "infiltrated" this "board." This is NOT a bulletin board. It is a category of Questions. That is, the topic of the questions is supposed to be religion and spirituality. Anyone, or at least anyone with a sufficient command of the English language, can ask and answer here.

Answer 2

Maybe most people have found that a prior belief that they would get a helping hand in real life from a god-figure just didn't work out.

Faith may be a substitute for some people, but I think my parents, as one example, did more for me than any identifiable act of god. And undoubtedly my own efforts have had good results without my relying on or believing in a god for support.

When my daughter and grandkids need help, they seem to be quicker on the phone for advice, counsel and assistance than they are to pray for something as uncertain as god's favor.

Answer 3

Well Jesus meant for all humans to have fellowship. when he created Eve he said "it is not good for man to be alone". so I think it is natural for people to say husband, family or friends is who they would turn to. Ironically these people represent our Saviour Jesus. If people don't have a relationship with Jesus they automatically will not consider him as one to depend on. He's not visible and for people who don't know Jesus won't look for him. I believed in the Lord, but honestly until I hit rock bottom in my life, having an infant and her father walking out on her, suffering depression I had only the Lord to turn to. The two most unlikely people in my extended family were like angels and helped me tremendously. they would either call or ring the bell, just when I was at my lowest. I mentioned this to one of them and she said "I guess God knew when you needed a call, so I called". I don't always do the right thing, or say the right thing but Jesus is always there for me.

Answer 4

I see nothing wrong with it. Some people need that belief. As to the thumbs down, there seems to be a thumb war between Christians and atheists. I try not to play, in less the answer is mean to either side.

Answer 5

Why not have a little faith in yourself? Some turn to metaphysical Gods and Goddesses, I find working on myself to be more affective. In the end, people will usually believe, or 'have faith' in your words, in whatever they were taught as a child. 3/4 of people around the world, no matter where they are born, will believe as their parents believed. If it works for you that's fine. I've never really found any people who claimed to be Christians that acted like they really believed in their deity through their actions.

Answer 6

there is nothing wrong with a little bit of faith. its just that when in a time of extreme need people generally go to their family and close friends first. i have never really liked the passages in the bible that stated to put your faith before everyone including your family. to me thats a bit extreme. a mother, when their child is in need will most likely go to their child no matter what a religious text says.

Answer 7

I would guess most of those people giving a thumbs down have personal experience. who needs a god that we give credit to no matter if some one lives or dies, gets rich or files bankruptcy, kills someone while drinking and driving or enters rehab. I rely on people. They are there or they are not. They help or they do not. They are real, jesus is not.

Answer 8

A little faith is a start, however, you must have a radical reliance on God, otherwise you are trying to serve two masters, and the lack of faith hides God from thought.

Answer 9

Nothing wrong as long as you don't kill for it or ram it down other people's throats. When you said Jesus they immediately registered you as a Bible thumper, and they don't like Bible thumpers. I think it's stupid to rate other people's answers anyway. Ignore them. There will always be people who dislike you. Blessed be.

Answer 10

If it's any help or consolation this is common to all sides. There are some people that can not think beyond their limits and look at the answer for anything other than if it agrees with them.