How is faith different from hope?

Question

How is believing in the Christian god different from believing in other religion's dieties of the past? How is believing in a celestial being fifferent from beleiving in any other mythical creature? Why does this particular God seem to require no real proof of its existence?

Answer 1

Faith doesn't have to be religious, like having faith (a strong beleif) that you'll have good day today (example).

Faith is a strong belief, strong enough you've made it real to yourself based on certain criteria. A hope (to me) is like a wish that would be beneficial to you. i.e " I hope I get to work on time with all this traffic."

Beleiving in anything, gods or otherwise, requires the same faith criteria and for many the Bible and its followers have proven it.

Why people laugh if you say you beleive in leprachans and fairies or the Easter Bunny, or any non-Christain diety? I don't honestly know. One day, in another 2 millenia, the Christian God may be amongst those disgarded dieties like Odin and Zeus, but for now God has the floor, regardless of what similarities there are in His mythos and those of the Asgardian and Greek gods in as far as magical type stories.

Answer 2

faith is the evidence of things unseen. this means faith is still there when there is no hope. hope is like a prayer or even a wish. hope gives faith a little boost. believing in the christian god is no different because you cannot see, hear, or touch him. but the christian god has a son, jesus christ who embodied God himself and died for all of our sins. believing in any celestial being or mystical creature requires faith, you have faith that they are real, therefore they may be real in your mind or heart. This God has proof of existence through his people. Have you ever met someone who was just nice to you for no reason? they didnt want anything in return.....thats the proof. The bible is also the proof, but that is another story.

Answer 3

Faith and hope come from the same place in the brain. Hope is basically creating memories of the future, just like planning. That is why, when things go differently some people have a terrible time accepting reality.

That is how the brain works. Faith and hope are the same.

The biggest problem with all deities is that they share the same characteristics. Zeus, Neptune, Ra and Leprechauns all require faith for belief. None of them are tangible, and prayers to all of them are answered in 3 ways, Yes, No and wait.

All of these deities have holy script associated with them, that followers lean on for faith boosts and to give them understanding about their God's will. All the followers of these deities claim to have felt them in their hearts, and know of supernatural events that took place somewhere else as a result of their God's direct action.

Sounding familiar?

All God's require the same ingredients for existence. There is a reason for this.

Answer 4

faith is almost like hope after it's been justified. someone with no background in religion might "hope" there's a God, but truly has no idea. Faith is what you have when you have had experiences to lead you to believe there is a God, even though you have no physical proof. I have never seen Him, but I have had miracles in my life and have felt so strongly that he is there for me, that i have faith that he is. i no longer need to "hope" because things that have happened to me could only have happened if there was a God so I gained faith. hope leads to faith which leads to knowledge- even if unseen, you can find proof if you're truly searching

adding on... while i am christian, i don't believe there's a difference in people who believe in other gods- at least not in the way they believe. i think someone who puts their faith is a mythical creature believes that will bring them blessings of some sort, just like a christian- though i do believe they'll be disappointed in the end. and no i don't think they'd go to hell- God understands those who haven't had a chance to learn of him. he loves us too much to be that black and white. no one on this earth can judge who is heaven or hell bound because no one has God's capability of knowing someone's soul

Answer 5

Well there has been some records (whether proven or not) of this God coming to us. Im a Catholic and I do have my doubts too. Not because im a bad cath.. but rather because i choose to explore the possibilities of a God existing.

So for a christian god, there has been recorded experiences with him. Faith is basically kind of believing without seeing. And usually is associated with gods.

Hope however, can be individual and not associated with God. And usually is associated with people, like "I Hope this goes through"

Answer 6

Lonestar above said, "Faith is a trust in what you believe, while hope is a desire for a particular outcome."

So what then is the difference between hope and prayer? Maybe that's a better question. In my opinion the difference is nothing.

Believing in the Christian god versus other gods is no different. They all require you to have blind 'faith', to accept its existence without proof.

Answer 7

Faith differs from hope in that my faith in God gives my life hope. God differs from other so-called "mythical" creatures in that He still exists. Giants & dragons (dinosaurs) did used to exist -- really! In seeing the intricacies of nature -- the uniqueness of each different specie of fish, fowl, etc., & the balance of it all, how can you say that no real proof of His existence is displayed before us?! I really don't understand the apparent doubt that's suggested in your question.

Answer 8

If you had faith, you would know the difference. It is very hard to explain, but it is a certainty and an assurance that is beyond the "wishful thinking" that most people associate with the word "hope".

The book of Hebrews explains it this way: Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Christian faith and hope are tied closely together, because our "hope" in Christ is assured to us through our faith.
A measure of faith is given to us by God in order to allow us to believe....when we become Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts and communicates with our spirit and gives us assurance and understanding of God's Word and promises, and opens our spiritual eyes to allow us to grow in faith.

It is probably impossible to explain to someone who is not a believer, but once you have it, you know that you know and it is unshakable.

The evidence is all around you if you are willing an able to accept it....there is a God-shaped hole in the soul of every man, and nature around us reveals to us that we were created for a purpose, not just some evolutionary fluke.

Faith is a prerequisite for experiencing and serving God.
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
You can't come in with the skeptical attitude of disbelief and expect God to prove you wrong.
I hope you can somehow find the faith to seek Him & find Him!

Answer 9

Faith: is for the people with the last words or to share to the world and this faith will give answer back within he or she if you will enter heaven or hell.

Hope: is for wanting peace to the world and around you and me that nothing will happened bad to our every days life of living.

Answer 10

Faith is a trust in what you believe, while hope is a desire for a particular outcome.

Example: Have faith in God, and hope in immortality.