Is building your life on faith rather than fact, like building your house on sand rather than rocks?

Answer 1

"True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing." Socrates. So even if you do build your house on what you percieve to be fact, it could still be something you are taking on faith. Your house is Always in the sand dude! Hey, that is a cool proverb I just came up with...I'm a genius...somebody, just give me the nobel prize, will ya?

Answer 2

Interesting question.

I think that this is very much an individual issue, which cannot be answered in a general basis.

The bottom line is that nobody knows for sure that any God actually exists... it has yet to proved absolutely beyond a doubt (and probably never will be). So, if someone is a devout believer of a particular religion for all their lives, regularly goes to church / the synagogue etc, always praying or worshipping, to someone of a different religion it could seem quite logical that this person is wasting their time and yes, building their house on the sand.

However, I would argue that most -if not all- traditional religions base their values around kindness, honesty, respect and so on. They have strong family values and encourage followers to act wisely and with consideration to fellow men. So, even if they are not reincarnated / go to heaven etc, if they have followed the basic principles of their religion they will have lived a good life and be basically decent people. They will have made a valuable contribution to society and surely in anyone's book this makes a good person?

I do think that, as with most things, faith should be in moderation. People can take it too far, and it can be dangerous (as can be seen in the case of Sept 11). It also should not stop you getting the job you want, or marrying the person that you love. It should not dictate your life but merely contribute to it.

Finally would also add that many commited followers of religion appear to develop inner peace and contentedness, and it has been shown to be a very valuable tool in overcoming illness, reconciling oneself with death and so on. This is not to be sniffed at, after all, what comfort does science bring in the face of death?

Answer 3

As far as a good quote goes, it's an accurate enough metaphor however faith can be revealed to be, or become, fact (eg if I have faith that I can pass an exam and then I do pass an exam). Some faith is far more far fetched than others. Some pretend to others that faith is fact (or vice versa). Some think that faith is fact (or vice versa).
Everyone constantly has faith that the laws of the universe will continue to be as they have been. (that I won't suddenly starting floating in mid air). All fact, really, is based on different degrees of faith, the validity of our senses and our understanding for example.

I notice that a lot of people have replied in regard to God because the word is used so commonly in religion. However that is just one narrow definition. The wider definition is firm belief in something for which there is no proof or complete trust.

Answer 4

If ever there was a time when strong faith was needed, it is now. Many people have no faith at all and no hope for the future. Religious and political leaders have raised false hopes so often that many people openly despair. Truly, as the apostle Paul explained, “Faith is not a possession of all people.” (2 Thess. 3:2) However, faith is a possession ,We have complete confidence that the promises found in God’s Word will be fulfilled. “rock-mass” in his illustration does not represent simply accepting or believing in Christ Jesus and his teachings? Rather, it represents obedience to his teachings Matt: 7-24

Answer 5

Not at all. YOu need to pay respect to your faith and the world of facts. It is a careful balancing act at times.

One feeds you heart, the other your head.

If you will consider a bird ... the bird had two wings. The heart, your faith, the collective unconscious, the spiritual side is the left and the world of consciousness, facts, logic, your brain is the right.

If one wing is stronger than the others - the bird will not fly. Or if able to, will fly only in circles as the undeveloped wing draws ever inward while the stronger wing pushes ever onward getting you nowhere.

Answer 6

Absolute Faith is and must have Absolute Fact in a personal walk and well being that God only can Bring. If one is filled with Love of Christ and a true follower, they are told to Love and not speak ill of any and I do so Love all of His work, and You are part of it.

Those with ears let them hear.

Answer 7

My experiences are also opposite of what you say. Of course you are going to go with the one you believe in. I really dont argue with other people's belief. ITS JUST WRONG.
I know you are not going to agree. I know you are not going to see this as good answer let alone choose this as a
"best answer". However, showing you why us Muslims see that having faith in GOD is basing our lives on fact. We dont expect you to agree but we hope that you or others just understand.
This faith is fact to us
♥About the Quran:
http://www.quran.net/quran/qur-info.htm

The Quran has proof in writing what a human embryo looks like by stages before the microscope was invented.
♥http://www.islam101.com/science/embryo.html

Statements referring to human reproduction and development are scattered throughout the Qur'an. It is only recently that the scientific meaning of some of these verses has been appreciated fully.
After the microscope was discovered in the 17th century by Leeuwenhoek descriptions were made of the early stages of the chick embryo. The staging of human embryos was not described until the 20th century. Streeter (1941) developed the first system of staging which has now been replaced by a more accurate system proposed by O'Rahilly (1972).

"The three veils of darkness" may refer to: (l) the anterior abdominal wall; (2) the uterine wall; and (3) the amniochorionic membrane. Although there are other interpretations of this statement, the one presented here seems the most logical from an embryological point of view"

~peace

Answer 8

You know I've heard so many differen tgroups try to use this "building your house on rock/sand" analogy, that it just sounds silly now. EVERYBODY wants to believe that their beliefs have a core foundation on The Truth™.

Regardless of how shaky one's foundation is, if there's one brick that can be removed to see the whole thing tumble, you better believe that people are going to defend that brick.

Answer 9

Faith is not fact! if it was fact it would not be faith.

Also: the metaphor of the house building was indented for the exact opposite. If you believe Jesus' words AND put them in practice, your on a rock. If you dont believe or obey them, you will fall with a great crash.

Answer 10

Yes, because as Jesus said with much faith even rocks can obey us, we just don't have enough.

See, one great example of faith is that of learning how swim. I have tried so much, but I am always scared. Other big people can swim like a fish. Even elephants can swim but not me.