could we define that faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen?
If not, what definition would you use?
((I do not personally believe atheism requires faith, but I'm asking those who do))
2007-10-02 09:53:37 · 8 answers · asked by Eleventy 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
casapull: I'm not actually asking atheists...
2007-10-02 09:57:13 · update #1
I think the definition of faith is already perfect. It is firm belief in something for which there is no proof. It is not confined to just religion.
People who believe in the Big Bang theory do not need faith. It can be proved. You do not need to have faith that the origins of the first atom will be discovered. If anything it is hope, not faith. (using the example given by the answer above.)
Atheism is a lack of faith. You do not need faith in order to not believe in something that can't be proven.
2007-10-02 10:01:38 · answer #1 · answered by alana 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
If an atheist believes in the Big Bang theory, even though we don't know where the material came from to start the process, then isn't that atheist exercising faith? Faith that one day science will be able to prove where the materials came from. I realize the faith is based on science, but it is still having faith in something that has yet to be proven.
2007-10-02 17:00:19 · answer #2 · answered by monte54que 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I have faith, but not BLIND faith. I'm not going to just believe in something I have no reason to believe in. If something has been shown to do a certain thing time and time again, then I have faith that it will probably continue to do so. I have "faith" in science because scientific methods have been proven to be sound methods. I have faith in my husband because he's proven himself to be true and trustworthy.
2007-10-02 17:08:44 · answer #3 · answered by Jess H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that faith is simply acting on a belief. To many people, belief is just intellectual assent and therefore no action is required, but intellectual assent isn't belief.
A rational atheist will agree that God might exist but think that the worth of God does not outweigh the independence gained by living their lives without reference to God.
2007-10-03 06:47:46 · answer #4 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that most atheists are sure that there is no God, so no faith is needed.
Am I wrong?
2007-10-02 16:58:16 · answer #5 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You have it right... there is no need of faith to understand ones own conviction that there is no god.
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/Randall_Fleck/Sam_Harris__GIF.gif
[][][] r u randy? [][][]
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2007-10-02 20:46:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
again..we have a universal truth recorded in the bible...that God has delt to "every man the measure of Faith"..and i don't care who you are...you were given it by God......so, you do not have to be a christian to have it! ...(this ought to up set some apple carts!) you think?...bye!
2007-10-02 17:10:19 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. "Diamond" 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Atheists can care less, about this topic...
so, why talk about them, at all?
2007-10-02 16:56:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋