Quote:I've had some disputes on here over the word "faith". Now remember that words are just symbols to represent what a person wants to communicate to you, and their value is highly over-rated.
However, here it is, from my dictionary:
faith n. 1. confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. 2. belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. 3. loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance. 4. often Faith Chistianity the theological virtue defined as secure belief in god and a trusting acceptance of god's will. 5. the body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith 6. a set of principles or belief
So, it can be said that everyone has faith, because everyone has confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. Never let anyone say you don't have faith, and never claim to not have faith. Because it is the 1st definition that is important, I wouldn't say a virtue, but a necessary thing for survival for sure.
As for definition 4, go get another word, losers.
Well, I certainly have faith that my chair isn't going to collapse under me when I sit, but I think that - for the purposes of religious discussion - definition 4 is the one most applicable.
'Faith' in the every day sense is actually synonymous with real world experience: I trust people whom have demonstrated their trustworthiness, for instance. In another post, I used the analogy of flipping a switch to produce light. That this has happened millions of times is why I have faith that it will continue to do so.
Religious faith, on the other hand is a complete kettle of fish. Religionists may have faith that they will go to Heaven (or Paradise, or Nirvana, or whatever their particular franchise promises them) when they have NO experience that this is the case. I don't envy them that brand of faith.
Boru
‘I can’t be having with this.’ - Esmeralda Weatherwax
